INTERNATIONAL
WOMEN'S DAY
LUNCHEON
Empowering Women
#AccelerateAction
GEA
WOMEN'S DAY
Celebrate International Women’s day with us!
” Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres. ”
– International Women’s Day
INCREASE MOMENTUM - TAKE ACTION
07
MARCH
2025
12PM – 2:00PM
Yaralla Sports Club
Corner of O’Connel & Bell Streets, Barney Point, South Gladstone, QLD 4680
Information by: Australian Government, Workplace Gender Equality Agency
https://www.wgea.gov.au/about/workplace-gender-equality
#InspireInclusion
Innovation for a gender-equal future
Part of the proceeds raised provide three (3) female school leavers wanting to study in the STEM sector, do apprenticeships or non-traditional roles, with a $1000 assistance prize.
Congratulations to the three exceptional young women who won the Gladstone Engineering Alliance “Inspiring futures essay Competition” as part of the GEA International Women’s day Celebrations.
Congratulations to Rommiel Malig from Gladstone State High School, Alyssa Pease from Toolooa State High School and Joory Abulhagag from Chanel College. The GEA team with the support of the Gladstone Manufacturing Hub is proud to assist these students as they begin paving the way towards their career aspirations.
Equality is the goal, and equity is the means to get there. Through equity, we can reach equality.
Source: Australian Human Rights Commission
In recent decades, women in Australia have made significant strides towards equality. At universities, in the workplace, in boardrooms and in government, a growing number of women have taken on leadership roles, forging pathways for other women and girls to follow.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Rio Tinto is here for Gladstone.
Across Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL), Yarwun Refinery, and Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) the Rio Tinto family employs over 3,000 people and provides stable, skilled work that supports regional prosperity.
Part of the Gladstone community for over 60 years, we are committed to investing in a strong local future.
A company that values higher-performing diverse teams, Rio Tinto is proud to support events which celebrate and amplify the achievements of Gladstone women, driving change and opportunity across our industry.
Our Women in Aluminium program is about developing and supporting women from outside the mining and resources sector, providing them with technical training, alongside opportunities that recognise their existing talents and skillsets.
The annual program attracts a diverse range of new-to-industry participants, providing tailored support and guidance to help them transition into mining and manufacturing. Gladstone participants in this innovative program add value to our business, bringing fresh perspectives to our industry and ways of working.
Rio Tinto is a proud leader and supporter of women in all industries, and we’re making progress on our journey towards a future where diversity and everyday respect is a way of life.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Taryn gollshewsky
Taryn Gollshewsky, a proud Bundaberg local, has dedicated over a decade to the National team, competing in three Commonwealth Games, two World Championships, and the World University Games. Her journey in athletics began at the tender age of eight at her local Little Athletics club. Taryn’s diverse sporting background, including cricket, volleyball, futsal, soccer, swimming, surf life saving, tennis, and dancing, uniquely prepared her for her chosen event in athletics – discus throwing.
At just 16, Taryn first donned the green and gold at the 2009 World Youth Championships, and by 17, she had already become an Australian champion. Despite numerous opportunities to move away from her hometown, Taryn chose to stay in Bundaberg, where her family and support network were based.
Taryn’s journey has not been without its challenges. In 2021, she suffered a potentially career-ending injury, breaking her leg while playing soccer. Despite being bedridden and on crutches for months, Taryn’s determination never wavered. She rebuilt her strength and, within ten weeks of training, won the 2022 National title and placed fourth at her third Commonwealth Games.
In 2023, Taryn competed in her second World Championships, and in 2024, she achieved her lifelong dream of making her Olympic debut in Paris. Her story is a testament to the power of self-belief and perseverance.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Taryn is a dedicated Physical Education teacher at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Bundaberg. She inspires her students to overcome challenges and strive for excellence, sharing her own experiences of hard work and dedication.
speaker
SHONA MARKHAM
General Manager, Boyne Smelters Limited
Shona has been with Rio Tinto’s Aluminium team for more than 21 years, starting in Tasmania as a graduate engineer at Bell Bay Aluminium smelter in 2004 and moving to Gladstone in 2009 to hold operations manager roles at BSL, before returning to Bell Bay in 2020 as General Manager. She then moved to take on the role of Weipa general manager and managing the bauxite mines and town in Cape York before returning to Gladstone with Boyne Smelters.
With a demonstrated track record in safety and reliability processes at an operational level and an exceptional ability to engage with teams, community stakeholders and partners, Shona is a dynamic leader with a passion for BSL and the Gladstone region.
As a mother to girls and a woman in an industry traditionally dominated by men, Shona is inspired by combining the practicality of science and findings better ways to supply the materials the world needs, with a career focused on people. She is determined to play a part in increasing diversity among the workforce she leads, and while there is still work to be done, acknowledges the strides that have been made in the industry since she started.
speaker
Joanne Smith
Business Manager, Xtreme Engineering
Joanne Smith is a trailblazing Business Manager who is leaving an indelible mark on the manufacturing industry. With a career at Xtreme Engineering spanning over 16 years, she has risen through the ranks to become a prominent figure in local manufacturing, known for her visionary leadership and commitment to innovation. Jo was the 2024 recipient of the Wayne Peachey Memorial Award which celebrates an Employee who demonstrates dedication and loyalty and an individual that provides quality of service and goes above and beyond in their role.
Jo’s career in manufacturing commenced at Xtreme Engineering, with a modest 10-member team she started as the Accounts Manager. Her unwavering dedication and penchant for problem-solving quickly garnered her recognition, leading to promotions within a short span of time. It was evident that Joanne was destined for a leadership role in the manufacturing world.
Joanne’s talent for streamlining processes and implementing cutting-edge systems didn’t go unnoticed. She advanced within Xtreme Engineering’s ranks over the past 15 years and has played a pivotal role in Xtreme Engineering’s remarkable growth, to its current workforce of 200 personnel and growing. Her innovative strategies have significantly increased efficiency and reduced costs. Her ability to lead teams effectively soon catapulted her to the position of Business Manager.
As Business Manager, Jo has implemented several initiatives that have transformed Xtreme Engineering into an industry leader that currently has over 20 apprentices and supplies and installs major, specialized engineering projects across Australia. She championed diversity and inclusion in the traditionally male-dominated field, inspiring a new generation of female Project Administrators and Managers.
Today, Joanne Smith stands as a symbol of female leadership in manufacturing. Her journey to a distinguished business manager is a testament to her resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Her legacy continues to inspire women in our community to pursue their dreams in the world of manufacturing.
Joanne’s remarkable versatility, visionary leadership, and her unrelenting commitment to pushing the boundaries of efficiency has allowed her to contribute across various facets of the manufacturing process, demonstrating her adaptability in the dynamic manufacturing landscape of Queensland’s manufacturing industry. She has not only left an indelible mark on the business she has led but has also paved the way for future generations of women in manufacturing to aspire to greatness.
With sincere apologies, we advise that Selena Tranter, our keynote speaker was unwell and unable to attend our International Women’s Day Luncheon. We were excited to hear and learn from Selena about what she did and what it took to master her craft, which included gaining unprecedented accolades and respect worldwide in women’s Rugy.
Sadly, we will all have to wait for another opportunity to bring Selena to Gladstone and surrounds to hear from this extraordinary woman.
Selena tranter
By every measure, Selena was the first star of women’s rugby in Australia. She was a fearless tackler and buried her head in dark places as a flanker.
There was no rugby for women in Queensland in the early ’90s and they met opposition in a male-dominated sport when the first proper competition did begin in 1994.
Her Wallaroos jersey in the first women’s Test played by her country that same year was an ill-fitting male-cut jersey.
She overcame those hurdles. Her story is one of excellence for 24 Tests for Australia from the age of 19 and 34 games for Queensland, both records that have only recently been broken. Not content with conquering rugby, she played rugby league for Queensland and also dabbled for the Daytona Beach Barracudas in American Football.
Born in Mackay, she rose from country origins to be the first female inducted into the Queensland Rugby Union Hall of Fame in 2022.
After Australia won the 1991 Rugby World Cup, two Wallaby stars returned to the Darling Downs as heroes and landed by helicopter at her school, Downlands College.
She wanted a piece of that, and rugby has been her community ever since.
PANELLIST
Adrienne Ward
Gladstone Area Water Board
Melissa Inooka
Stanwell
Ellie Blumel
Alpha HPA
Sarah King
Australian Wheelchair Basketball
Sarah King
Tina Zawila
UHY Haines Norton
EVENT SPONSORS
Aussie Helpers
Sponsor
VE Group
Centrepiece Sponsor
COMPANY NAME
Cookie Sponsor
COMPANY NAME
Bag Sponsor
EVENT SUPPORTERS
Luncheon Tickets
Thank you to everyone who booked tickets to our International Women's Day Luncheon – we are SOLD OUT and excited to celebrate IWD 2025
SOLD OUT
Luncheon Tickets
* Prices include GST *
Waitlist bookings only
Please contact GEA to make a waitlist reservation
*Please note that you will need to be double vaccinated against COVID to participate in this event. You will be required to adhere to the venue’s COVID requirements as well as the regulations placed by the Queensland Government, including showing evidence of your vaccination status.”