International Women’s Day 2026: Geraldton women share their wisdom, life lessons and wishes for the future

Just like the powerful winds for which the city is known for, the women of Geraldton and the Mid West are an unstoppable force of nature. Ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday, we talk to a number of inspiring and community-orientated women about how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go.

SANDRA CARR

UPPER HOUSE MLC

If you could change one unwritten rule about how things work for women in regional WA, what would it be?

The “women bring a plate” assumption. Normalise “blokes bring a plate”!

How often do you encounter sexism and misogyny in your daily life?

I’m a woman in politics living in regional WA, I think that answers the question.

When you see an imbalance in your community or workplace, what is your way of pushing the scales back toward fairness?

Speaking up and actioning when and where I can. And choosing my battles. You don’t have to take up every fight. Sometimes it can be more impactful to simply be the example you want to see in the world.

Regional women are famous for just getting it done. What is one piece of Mid West wisdom you’ve gained from another woman that you now pass on to others?

“No” is a complete sentence. My sister, a local business owner, taught me that and it remains one of the most valuable pieces of advice I have ever been gifted. It works across all aspects of life and keeps you living within your boundaries.

If you could gift one specific skill or trait to the next generation of girls growing up in Geraldton today, what would it be and why?

Self-belief. Females are often raised to put the needs of others before their own and to see themselves as secondary or “lesser’”without necessarily being conscious of that social conditioning. Knowing your value, having self-belief, places you firmly at the helm of your own life and allows you to overcome some of the social “noise” that tries to have you believe otherwise.

If we reopened a time capsule in Geraldton in 2036, what is one change for women in this city you hope we’d be celebrating?

Zero FDV and sexual assault.

FAST FIVE

Best place for a coffee run?

We have so many great cafes and coffee shops in Geraldton I couldn’t pick one. But my lovely son, when he’s home, brings me in a coffee every morning and it will always be the best-tasting coffee in the world to me.

Best place for breakfast?

Rigter’s IGA. Dairy shelf. The Yogurt Shop vanilla yogurt. Best. Yogurt. Ever. You’re welcome.

Best summer ritual?

Grabbing a ripe, cold mango from the fridge and eating it while watching one of Geraldton’s stunning summer sunsets at the end of a hot day.

Best weekend escape?

Staying home with the dog and family, enjoying a home-cooked meal, and playing cards or Scrabble. I’m away a lot for work so home feels like an escape.

Best strategy to cope with the Gero wind?

See above. And reminding myself that but for the wind it would be hotter with more flies.

JOANNE CHAN

CHUNG WAH CHINESE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

If you could change one unwritten rule about how things work for women in regional WA, what would it be?

As a Chinese-background woman in regional WA, one unwritten rule I would change is the quiet expectation that women should “just cope” — without asking for help, recognition, or space at the table.

In many cultures, including my own, women are taught to be humble, hardworking, and not to draw attention to themselves. In regional communities, there is also a strong culture of resilience . You get on with it. While that strength is admirable, I would love to see it balanced with permission for women to speak up, lead boldly, and be visible without feeling they are overstepping.

Regional women are famous for just getting it done. What is one piece of Mid West wisdom you’ve gained from another woman that you now find yourself passing on to others?

It is: “Don’t wait for perfect conditions — start where you are.”

In the Mid West, resources aren’t always abundant, and support isn’t always immediate. I’ve watched women build businesses, raise families, support schools, and strengthen communities simply by starting with what they have. That mindset deeply inspired me.

When I noticed there was a real interest in learning Mandarin in Geraldton, I didn’t wait for funding, a formal structure, or ideal circumstances. I started small — within our local Chinese community. We reached out and humbly asked for support, including free venues to host language and cultural activities.

I would love to acknowledge and thank the incredible local supporters who believed in us — including Geraldton Regional Library, The Geraldton Project, Euphorium, and Geraldton Multicultural Association. Their generosity gave our community the space to share language, culture, and traditions.

From those small beginnings, I have now established a community language school. We continue to preserve our heritage while expanding opportunities for more families to engage in language learning and cultural exchange.

That is the Mid West wisdom I now pass on: You don’t need perfect conditions to begin. You just need courage, community, and the willingness to take the first step.

If you could gift one specific skill or trait to the next generation of girls growing up in Geraldton today, what would it be and why?

I would gift them deep self-belief grounded in cultural pride. Growing up between cultures can sometimes make girls feel like they need to choose where they belong. I would want them to know they don’t need to shrink any part of themselves — they can be proudly Chinese, proudly Australian, proudly regional, and proudly ambitious all at once.

What is an accomplishment you’re incredibly proud of that would never appear on a resume or a Linkedln profile?

I am incredibly proud of building quiet bridges between cultures.

Whether it’s helping families feel understood, supporting students who are navigating two languages, or creating spaces where different perspectives are respected, much of that work is invisible. It’s not measured by titles or promotions.

But when a child feels seen, when a parent feels heard, or when two worlds feel a little closer together — that is an accomplishment that means more than anything listed on a CV.

EMMA GARLETT

LEGAL ACADEMIC AND NYLYAPARLI-YAMATJI-NYUNGAR WOMAN

For Shania Twain it was the prerogative to have a little fun, but what do you think is the best thing about being a woman?

It’s our innate ability to be multidimensional. We are the ultimate bridge-builders. In my life, that looks like moving between a boardroom, a newsroom, and a community yarn without losing my essence. There is a specific kind of strength in being able to lead with both a sharp intellect and a nurturing heart — Shania was right about the fun, but the power lies in the perspective.

If you could change one unwritten rule about how things work for women in regional WA, what would it be?

The idea that you have to leave your home to be “someone”. There’s often an unspoken pressure on young women in regional areas that success only happens in Perth or overseas. I want to flip the script: you can be a global leader, a top-tier lawyer, or a ground-breaking journalist while keeping your feet firmly planted in the regions. We need to stop the “brain drain” by showing girls that regional WA is a launchpad, not a limitation.

How often do you encounter sexism and misogyny in your daily life?

It’s a frequent guest, often arriving uninvited. In the legal and corporate sectors, it’s sometimes subtle — being talked over in meetings or having your expertise questioned in ways a male colleague’s wouldn’t be. Being a woman of colour adds another layer to that. You don’t always “see” it in a loud way, but you feel the friction. I’ve learned to use that friction to sharpen my resolve.

When you see an imbalance in your community or workplace, what is your way of pushing the scales back toward fairness?

I’m a big believer in “lifting as you climb.” When I see an imbalance — whether it’s a lack of First Nations representation or a gender pay gap — I don’t just point at it. I use my platform to ask: “Who is missing from this table, and why?” Fairness isn’t just about being nice; it’s about structural change and ensuring the next person through the door doesn’t have to push as hard as I did.

Regional women are famous for just getting it done. What is one piece of Mid West wisdom you’ve gained from another woman that you now find yourself passing on to others?

A wonderful woman once told me: “Don’t wait for an invitation to sit at the table — bring your own chair.” In the Mid West, we don’t have time for fluff. If there’s a job to be done or a voice to be heard, you step up. I tell young women now: your voice is your inheritance. Use it.

If you could gift one specific skill or trait to the next generation of girls growing up in Geraldton today, what would it be and why?

Unapologetic self-belief. I want them to have the kind of confidence that isn’t shaken by a “no” or a “not yet.” If you know who you are and where you come from — your Country and your story — you become unshakeable.

What is an accomplishment you’re incredibly proud of that would never appear on a resume or a Linkedln profile?

Maintaining a deep, spiritual connection to my culture and my family despite the noise of a high-pressure career. Being the person my younger cousins or sisters can call when they need to navigate a tough situation is worth more to me than any “Top 40 Under 40” award.

If we reopened a time capsule in Geraldton in 2036, what is one change for women in this city you hope we’d be celebrating?

I hope we’re celebrating a Geraldton where Aboriginal women are leading the city’s biggest industries, and where the gender pay gap is a historical footnote we explain to confused schoolchildren. I want to see a city that truly reflects the diversity and strength of the women who keep it running.

FAST FIVE

Best place for a coffee run? Quiet Life — the vibes are always right. Best place for breakfast? Piper Lane Cafe. You can’t beat it. Best summer ritual? A late afternoon swim at St Georges Beach followed by a sunset that reminds you why we live here. Best weekend escape? A drive up to Kalbarri. The Skywalk is breathtaking, but the river is where the soul rests. Best strategy to cope with the Gero wind? Lean into it — literally. And always, always have a hair tie on your wrist.

ANNE-MAREE HOPKINSON

MID WEST CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME COMMITTEE MEMBER

For Shania Twain it was the prerogative to have a little fun, but what do you think is the best thing about being a woman?

So many things, although if I have to choose — our intuition, that inner knowing. Sometimes it’s only soft and we have to remember to listen and practice, but it is a real gift.

If you could change one unwritten rule about how things work for women in regional WA, what would it be?

The expectation that women must quietly carry everything. In regional WA women wear many, many hats, this is on top of their paid work. Regional women are extraordinarily capable because they have to be.

When you see an imbalance in your community or workplace, what is your way of pushing the scales back toward fairness?

Action, do something about it. Change it. Make good in the world.

Regional women are famous for just getting it done. What is one piece of Mid West wisdom you’ve gained from another woman that you now find yourself passing on to others?

Get involved! “Give to Gain”. Find a way to contribute to your community. It doesn’t have to be huge or loud. Contribution is key, stay consistent with it and your whole world will change. And it’s one of the themes of IWD26.

If you could gift one specific skill or trait to the next generation of girls growing up in Geraldton today, what would it be and why?

So many. Be brave and follow your own path. Because not all things come instantly or are easy. Keep at it, keep showing up.

If we reopened a time capsule in Geraldton in 2036, what is one change for women in this city you hope we’d be celebrating?

So many. But with just one I’d go with is the UN International Woman’s Day Australia’s theme “Balance the Scales” — a call for fairness, equality and access to justice for all women and girls here in the Mid West.

FAST FIVE

Best place for a coffee run? I have two — Quiet Life and Casa Dolce.

Best place for breakfast? Flow – mushrooms on toast.

Best summer ritual? Walk on the beach and dip in the ocean on sunrise.

Best weekend escape? Kalbarri, I forget how magic it is. With a quick stop in Northampton on the way.

Best strategy to cope with the Gero wind? Windsurf – you can’t change the wind but you can change your sail.

KIRRILEE WARR

GERALDTON MLA

For Shania Twain it was the prerogative to have a little fun, but what do you think is the best thing about being a woman?

Great song, but for me the best thing about being a woman is the way we combine strength with heart. Women have an incredible capacity to nurture, to lead, to juggle, to advocate and to quietly hold things together. In regional communities like Geraldton, that steady strength is everywhere. It’s practical, resilient and rarely about recognition — it’s simply about showing up.

Regional women are famous for just getting it done. What is one piece of Mid West wisdom you’ve gained from another woman that you now find yourself passing on to others?

Regional women truly are famous for “just getting it done.” The Mid West wisdom that has shaped me most is simple: if you can make a difference, you should. I learnt that not through words, but through the actions of my mum. She never looked the other way when something needed doing. Whether it was helping a neighbour or stepping up in the community, she believed responsibility doesn’t belong to someone else — it belongs to all of us. That’s something I carry with me every day.

If you could gift one specific skill or trait to the next generation of girls growing up in Geraldton today, what would it be and why?

Self-belief. A quiet, grounded confidence that says, “I am capable, and I belong here”. Our girls should know they don’t have to change who they are to succeed and they don’t have to leave home to dream big. There is enormous opportunity in regional WA, and their voice matters.

What is an accomplishment you’re incredibly proud of that would never appear on a resume or a Linkedln profile?

The private moments — the phone calls, the quiet support, the times someone has trusted me with a problem and felt heard. Public life is visible, but real impact often isn’t. Knowing someone felt stronger after a conversation matters more than any title.

If we reopened a time capsule in Geraldton in 2036, what is one change for women in this city you hope we’d be celebrating?

I hope we would quietly recognise how far we’ve come in creating a safer community for women and girls. I hope we would see fewer families impacted by violence, stronger early support, and a culture where respect is simply the norm. My hope is that we would look back and know that change happened not just through policies, but through conversations in homes, schools and workplaces, where we chose kindness, accountability and care. Most of all, I hope every woman and girl in Geraldton would feel safe, valued and supported to live her life without fear.

FAST FIVE

Best place for a coffee run? We are blessed for choice in Geraldton — you may see me at Casa Dolce, Quiet Life, or Salt Dish.

Best place for breakfast? Flow Vitality

Best summer ritual? Early morning dips in the ocean

Best weekend escape? Horrocks

Best strategy to cope with the Gero wind? Go out early!

JENNA DENTON

CITY OF GREATER GERALDTON COUNCILLOR

For Shania Twain it was the prerogative to have a little fun, but what do you think is the best thing about being a woman?

In regional communities, women step in when something needs doing, they share networks, they open doors and they don’t hesitate to recommend or support another woman. Our connections are strong and it’s extremely visible here — it’s what I absolutely love about being a woman, particularly here in the Mid West.

If you could change one unwritten rule about how things work for women in regional WA, what would it be?

If there is an unwritten rule about how things work for women in regional WA, I’m clearly not in the loop because I haven’t heard about it. But if I knew what that rule was, I’d probably break it. And so would a lot of other women I know. There’s no place for rules, norms or conventions anymore. In the past five years I’ve felt extremely enabled in my work, by both men and women.

If you could gift one specific skill or trait to the next generation of girls growing up in Geraldton today, what would it be and why?

I would gift them the ability to find their voice and the confidence to use it. I want girls to know that they can stand up for themselves and speak fiercely for their values and rights. Confidence and self-advocacy opens doors and you have the right to speak for yourself and others. Don’t let anyone speak for you or over the top of you.

What is an accomplishment you’re incredibly proud of that would never appear on a resume or LinkedIn profile?

Raising my children to become strong, independent and kind young adults. I was a young mum with babies only 18 months apart, so it was extremely challenging at times. I also did the juggle of being a working mum because I had career aspirations too, which was not always supported. There weren’t flexible work options and policies like there are today. There’s no formal title for that role, and the work of raising kids is often undervalued — even by us. Being a mum is something I’m proud of.

FAST FIVE

Best place for a coffee run? Beached Barrel because I love my convos about politics with Xav!

Best place for breakfast? Tough to single anyone out, but if I have to I’d say Flow.

Best summer ritual? Beach and boat all day long.

Best weekend escape? South West

Best strategy to cope with the Gero wind? Knowing when to say no to a dress. I think we have all learnt that lesson the hard way!

OLIVIA BIDWELL

ALL-ROUND SPORTS STAR

For Shania Twain it was the prerogative to have a little fun, but what do you think is the best thing about being a woman?

Honestly, the resilience. Women are incredible at just figuring things out and getting on with it, even when life throws a lot their way. There’s also a really strong sense of community, women backing other women, sharing advice, and lifting each other up. That combination of strength and support is pretty special.

If you could change one unwritten rule about how things work for women in regional WA, what would it be?

The idea that you just have to quietly “handle it all”. Regional women are known for being capable, but that shouldn’t mean doing everything on your own. It’d be great if asking for support was just normal and not something you had to push for.

When you see an imbalance in your community or workplace, what is your way of pushing the scales back toward fairness?

Usually, it’s the small things. Making sure people are heard in meetings, backing someone’s idea if it gets overlooked, or just calling something out (nicely) if it doesn’t sit right. Those little moments can make a bigger difference than people think.

If you could gift one specific skill or trait to the next generation of girls growing up in Geraldton today, what would it be and why?

Confidence in their voice. Just knowing their ideas are valid and they deserve to speak up. When girls grow up believing that, they’re a lot more likely to chase opportunities and shape the future of their community.

FAST FIVE

Best place for a coffee run? I don’t drink coffee, so I’m not too sure.

Best place for breakfast? Can’t go past Flow or Fleur.

Best summer ritual? Spent at cricket mostly! But drinks by the pool.

Best weekend escape? Being with friends, maybe going camping.

Best strategy to cope with the Gero wind? Hairspray.