07/03/2026
💜Happy International Women's Day! 💜
💜International Women's Day, 8th March, 2026💜
To celebrate , I would like to acknowledge a few of many incredible women that I am fortunate to know. Women from all cultures, demographics and beliefs, the good contributed and their achievements, deserves equality, inclusiveness, gratitude and respect.
Thank you to ALL women that make our communities a better place, who's actions truly speak this years theme "Give to Gain" 🙏
⭐️ Bay Doctors & Skin Cancer Clinic
The incredible women GPs; Dr Jodie Yapp, Dr Lynn Gay, Dr Maryum Chaudry, Dr Leandri Loots, Dr Sienna McWhae-Brown, Dr Emma Byrne, and of course Nurses: Kez, Sal, Em, Kaylie, Sandra, and admin staff; Jen, Jo, Birte, Chantal, Lyn, Una, and Tami. Each of these women give their compassion, skills, and knowledge to care and service our community. The giving nature of everyone at Bay Doctors also supports fundraising events such as the Biggest morning tea and the May 50k for MS. I am so fortunate to share my workspace professionally and culturally in a wonderful work environment that I feel so privileged to be part of.
⭐️ Leah Anderson - Mayor of Port Stephens
Locally, Leah is no stranger. Not only is she making history as the first elected female Mayor of Port Stephens in 2024, but she is also a long-serving community member involved in Rotary, Port Stephens Women in Business, Port Stephens Business Chamber, Port Stephens Koala Hospital, and a myriad of other local community groups with which Leah has built affiliations, some of which I have had the pleasure of working with Leah through. Leah’s efforts have been recognized through accolades, including the 2018 Port Stephens Woman of the Year and the Paul Harris Medal in 2023. It is Leah’s commitment to giving to gain for the benefit of the local community that is truly an inspiration, not just to women but to all.
⭐️ Jacquie Cooper, RN, Director of “Wellspring Studio”.
We can not show our gratitude enough for our nurses, and Jacquie is amongst them, having worked in all facets of nursing including aged care and community health, for over 20 years. Jacquie moved to the Bay with her young family and partner Chris, a Bay local. With the joy of making the Bay home, also came the devastation of their son Leo’s Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy diagnosis. Jacquie has championed against Duchenne’s with “Lions.walk”, raising awareness and fundraising efforts in 2024 with the 26km Tomaree Coastal Walk, and 2025 with the 30km walk from Bells Beach to Airleys inlet, raising $30,500 for Australia. The incredible Jacquie, along with her business partner Erin Johnston RN, bring a new venture promoting health and wellness with “Wellspring Studio” intravenous vitamin and nutrient therapy, and I am thrilled to announce they will be operating from Wanda Health Co from April 2026.
⭐️ Michelle Redden, CEO Connecting Community Services, Dubbo.
Michelle heads an incredible team at Connecting Community services, Dubbo. Michelle has made an impact within the community since her engagement as the CEO of the Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre back in 2018. Michelle is passionate about her community, providing coordinated and holistic services addressing Aboriginal Health, Women’s Health and Safety, Domestic Violence, Youth and Family services, Migrant Support, and Aged Care in the Dubbo region. I am in awe of Michelle and her ability to connect and give to the community, and so proud to be able to call Michelle one of my dearest and oldest friends since primary school.
⭐️ Lan Chan, my Mum.
Lan migrated to Australia from Hong Kong after marrying Peter, back in 1971. Lan survived the Great Chinese Famine (1959-1961), recognised as the deadliest famine in history, to then move to Narromine to open the towns first Chinese restaurant in 1976. After migrating to Australia without speaking a word of English and finishing school at the age of 10, Lan with Peter, attended English classes at college in Dubbo (I still remember sitting in the corner as a little one) while managing to run the restaurant and raise 4 children. Retirement came after 30years of running a successful business, but Lan is still very much part of the Narromine community and teaches Tai Chi and Seniors exercises classes today. Where would our country (or me) be without women like my Mum? 🫶
💜 Happy International Women's Day 💜