Honouring women of greatness

SIX more exceptional people have made the honour roll of Ballarat’s Great Women.

Dulcie Corbett, Gail Elsey, Dr Mary Hollick, Jaala Pulford, Lou Ridsdale, and Dayle Stevens were officially inducted by members of the Zonta Club of Ballarat at a dinner last week.

Held at the Ballarat Golf Club, honourees had a chance to speak about their lives, careers, achievements, and passions to a room of supporters, Zontians, and guests.

Ms Corbett has been an advocate for women in trade unions, Ms Elsey is the founder of the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute, and Dr Mary Hollick is an advocate for health, aged care, disability, and social support policy development.

Ms Pulford is a former state minister and Member for Western Victoria, Ms Ridsdale is the founder and director of Food is Free Ballarat, and Ms Stevens is an information technology professional and STEM education advocate.

Reflecting on women’s safety, intimate partner violence, and the pay gap, Ms Pulford said “women’s leadership matters.”

She thanked the Great Women Committee, her husband Jeff who she shares “all professional achievements and personal ones” with, and congratulated her fellow honourees.

“I just love being here tonight, and I’m feeling incredibly humbled and honoured,” she said.

“In the booklets on our tables, it’s like the ‘greatest hits’ of awesome Ballarat women.

“It’s very, very cool to be standing amongst people who have made some extraordinary changes to areas that they’re passionate about, to this community, and more broadly.

“Zonta Ballarat keeps the flame of feminism burning brightly in our community. It’s global in its outlook… but it’s also incredibly local in its affect and impact.”

The honourees were presented with a certificate and a yellow Zonta rose.

Due to illness, Ms Ridsdale was an apology, however her friend, Formosa Gardens Nursery’s Katie Wright, attended and read a speech on her behalf.

“Thank you so much to all at Zonta, Ballarat women, and beyond, who inspire women like me every day to do better, reach further, and hold a vision for a better tomorrow,” Ms Ridsdale said.

“Never underestimate the power of kindness and connection… together we can create change.”

Zonta Ballarat president Catherine Taylor reflected on the evening, the diversity of the inductees, and their goals to make the world a better place.

“My mother always used to say to me ‘Never underestimate the power of a determined woman,’ and I think that applies to each of our honourees here tonight,” she said.