The most recent Women in Church Leadership event welcomed secondary students from across the diocese for the first time on 5 November, bringing emerging leaders together with women serving across education, health, aged care, parish life and diocesan governance. Building on two years of the diocesan women’s network, the gathering explored leadership, gender equality and the contribution women make to the Church and wider community.
Guest speaker Professor Susan Harris Rimmer from Griffith University, and a Trinity Catholic College alumna, explored gender and leadership. Her presentation examined the barriers women continue to face, including stereotypes and organisational practices that favour people with similar backgrounds. She also highlighted collaboration, empathy, integrity and adaptability as important leadership qualities, inviting reflection on how to create more inclusive opportunities for women to lead. The collaborative leadership forum, facilitated by Dr Madeline Beveridge, followed Dr Harris-Rimmer’s presentation. The workshop invited students and accompanying staff to connect the presentation with their own experiences, reflect on their leadership journey, and plan for the year ahead.
The gathering brought the Diocesan Assembly themes of welcome and belonging, collaborative leadership, youth and the next generation into focus. By bringing established and emerging leaders together, it offered a space to recognise women’s varied contributions and consider how the next generation can be supported to lead.
