15 Mar Yarning with Aunty Bea Ballangarry
2018 International Women’s Day Women of the Year Wrap Up
Circulanation yarn it up with Gumbaynggirr Elder, Aunty Bea Ballangarry, about her year as the Coffs Coast International Woman of the Year and her vision for the future.
- What was the highlight for the year as the 2018 Women of the Year?
The highlight from this past twelve months is all of my public speaking such as NAIDOC events with a theme of ‘Because Of Her We Can’ that stands entirely in alignment with my commitment to women and girls. My interactions with women and girls are always in my mind when working up relevant community projects.
I learn from other women and girls and feed off many beautiful quotes that support my commitment to raising the status of women everywhere.
- How did you spend your award money?
I went to Katherine in the Northern Territory to stand beside Pip Gordon who works for Save the Children, who provides intensive support to Children and Families in crisis. Pip’s work is to find an easier way to build stronger families and establish community solutions.
“During my week in Katherine, I supported Pip and local Elders to launch the ‘Dakku Kan’ Yarning Circles. Which have continued weekly, that provides a safe place for everyone to come together and explores ways to best support children and families.”
- What would you say to a woman who is aspiring to reach her full potential?
What’s your passion, what’s your dream, what would you like to do to change the world and what can I do to help or assist you?
- How do you work to empower women and girls?
When I see potential in someone, I nurture that potential by inviting her to stand alongside me and work with me. Something happens to her when she sees us at the same level, hence she grows, and we stand tall together.
I’m also invited into schools and camps to do ceremony, story, and circles, when I see one of the girls showing leadership qualities I acknowledge and elevate that to its full potential.
Another way I support women and girls is that I willingly invite them to events pertaining to women’s activities and invite them to co-facilitate with me. It’s here that they get to feel what I feel. I never exclude anyone, especially if they show interest in what I do.
I have seen so many women and girls rise to the occasion.
- What is your message for international women’s day 2019?
The 2018 International Women’s Day theme was #pressforprogress, my reflection of the year has led me to also ask the question, ‘where too from here’?
I believe it is time we brought men into the room to begin a conversation of working together to create a unified voice for positive change. We can start with inviting men and women into the same circle to open a dialogue that will create a pathway to more significant conversations in bigger forums with the intention to create a safer future for everyone.
For more information or to contact Aunty Bea about collaborative opportunties contact tanya@circulanation.org