Gaelle Broad, The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria

AUSTRALIA’S first female members of parliament left their shoes outside the toilet door as a sign, because there were no women’s toilets in parliament.

When I first visited the Victorian Parliament as a university student undertaking an internship over 30 years ago, only a small minority of seats were held by women.

Today it’s a very different place, with equal representation of men and women, and I am grateful to represent our region in the Victorian Parliament.

In this role I get to meet so many amazing women in our community.

I enjoyed breakfast with a group of women in business with Be.Bendigo, and it was inspiring to hear them discuss the opportunities and challenges they face, despite juggling so many competing demands. With the benefits of technology, some are running businesses that have attracted an international following, from their own home in Bendigo.

During the bushfires, I met strong women like Sheryl taking

on leadership roles as a CFA captain, and young women like Morgan and Montanna, who are taking the time to do all the training, putting their lives on the line as volunteers to protect our communities.

In Harcourt, I met women like Tania and Stacey, who put their lives on hold to focus on supporting the community following the bushfires, who worked day and night to contribute and called on their large networks to assist.

I am so grateful to the many community organisations that stepped up to assist during the bushfires, including the SES, BlazeAid, Neighbourhood Houses, Rotary, the Red Cross and Salvation Army.

I’ve had the privilege of spending time with so many incredible women, volunteering in schools and churches, in hospitals and as carers; women who are willing to contribute and through their example inspire others to do the same.

Today we have wonderful organisations like Zonta, focused on providing opportunities to help women and girls across the world. Each of us has a part to play, to advocate for equality, educational opportunities and an end to violence.

I am so thankful for the role models of my grandmas, and my mum, who have taught me so much about the value of serving others.

It’s a privilege to work alongside amazing women in The Nationals including Annabelle Cleeland MP, who has worked tirelessly to support the community through the bushfires while fires impacted her own property, and Kim O’Keeffe MP, who came to assist during the fires and slept overnight in the back of her car!

Whether in parliament or back paddocks, women contribute in so many ways and are helping shape the future of our towns and our state.

As we approach International Women’s Day, there is a lot we can celebrate together, and I encourage you to attend a local event to connect with others and be inspired.