Stand up for what you believe in
The theme for International Women’s Day this year was “Be Bold For Change.” How do I interpret the theme, what will I do differently this year?
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To me, Being Bold For Change means standing up for what I believe in. So here is what I believe…
I could ‘do’ something; Pay it forward to someone. Because opportunities don’t always present themselves, I choose to be a Kiva Supporter and this week I made 2 new loans to women who need a hand within their business. Because I believe Kiva is a great way to support those living in more challenging circumstances that I, I promoted Kiva within my network. If another person becomes a Kiva supporter that means I’ve made a small change to others also. Click here if you would like to know more about Kiva.
I could draw awareness to causes that I believe in. When I thought about this, I thought immediately of Rosie Batty, her story and her fight against domestic violence. I listened to Rosie speak last year for International Womens Day at a Business Chicks event.
The statistic that two women are killed every week on average is terrifying. I made a pledge that day to stand with Rosie, tomorrow I will wear the Bandanna provided by her to confirm I continue to stand with Rosie against domestic violence. You too can, take the pledge to stand with Rosie.
What else does IWD mean to me? It means leading by example, being a positive role model for my daughter and other younger women. With many influences in her life, I want her to learn from me how to be a positive person who can help within the society.
Someone who is honest, hardworking, courteous and gives to others. I want to be someone she looks up to.
I want to help her understand we are all equal – race, colour, religion or whomever we choose to love doesn’t define if we are better than the next person. This is not a change I plan to make tomorrow, it’s the actions I undertake every day to live my life to make my daughter proud to be a woman.
So as this piece is finalised and you think about International Women’s Day, please consider how you can Be Bold For Change and make a difference this year.
Sam Spence, Junortoun
Airport critical for regions
Essendon Airport plays a major role in providing the closest possible avenue to Melbourne’s major hospitals for people from regional Victoria who are in need of critical medical attention.
Essendon Airport is a hub for Victoria's emergency services, particularly for those who live in regional areas with limited access to Melbourne’s hospital facilities.
Melbourne’s major hospitals, including the Royal Children’s, Royal Melbourne and Woman’s Hospital are just 12 km from Essendon Airport.
With 8,000 incidents per year being attended by Air Ambulance and the Police Air wing, overlooking the crucial role that this airport plays in transporting patients in need of emergency attention would harm people in regional Victoria.
The Nationals do not support the closure of the Essendon Airport. Other airports such as Avalon or Moorabbin are too far away from the major hospitals and the precious minutes lost in traffic congestion in Melbourne may cost lives.
We need to avoid a knee-jerk reaction to the tragic accident that took place at Essendon Airport.
We must remain focused on the significance of the airport in providing emergency assistance.
It is crucial that we don’t diminish the importance of Essendon Airport as an emergency services hub for people in regional areas.