A Minute With The Mayor

As Mayor, I have the privilege of seeing firsthand the strength, resilience, and contributions of women across the Whitsundays.

From business owners to community leaders, volunteers to frontline workers, women are at the heart of what makes our region thrive. However, while we have made great strides toward gender equality, there is still work to be done.

Saturday, March 8 marks International Women’s Day 2025, a day to celebrate the achievements of women while acknowledging that progress towards gender equality must move faster.

This year’s theme, "Collectively, we can Accelerate Action for Gender Equality," highlights the urgency of breaking down systemic barriers and biases that still exist.

At the current rate, full gender parity won’t be reached until 2158—five generations from now. That’s simply too long. We need to step forward in solidarity and #AccelerateAction to create real, lasting change.

I am proud that within Council and within our Whitsundays community, we’ve made great strides. Two of our past four Whitsunday Regional Council Mayors have been women, and many senior positions in Council are held by talented female leaders.

This is proof that when given the opportunity, women excel. But equality isn’t just about leadership—it’s about ensuring every woman in our region has the safety, economic security, and opportunities she deserves.

One of the most effective ways to advance gender equality is to identify what works and do more of it, faster. Whether that’s increasing support for women in business, advocating for safer communities, or addressing the gender pay gap, acting now will shape a stronger future for all

Change happens when communities, businesses, and governments work together. In the Whitsundays, we are proud of the progress we’ve made, but we also know there is more to do.

Together, let’s #AccelerateAction to speed up the rate of progress worldwide.

To all the women in our region: we see you, we support you, and we stand with you.

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