Students inspired at FCJ College’s 2026 International Women’s Day breakfast

International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to recognise the achievements of women while also reinforcing the importance of allyship, shared responsibility and collective action.

The returning alumni highlighted the range of careers young women can aspire to.

They were North East Life physiotherapist Liz Hayes, Bunnings Group senior media manager Rachel Tharratt, Sevens Creek Psychology psychologist Sarah Osborn and Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action policy officer Tymicka Pierce.

Ms Tharratt said it was fantastic to be back.

“I am nervous, but I'm really excited,” she said.

“It’s an amazing turnout, they said there’s about something like 200 people, and it’s a mix of students and community.

“I hope that I can bring some inspiration. I hope that sharing my story helps to encourage and inspire students.

“I think for me, I was not particularly academic. I wasn’t even going to finish Year 12. Never really knew what I wanted to do.

“But I ended up having this really interesting career where I’ve taken different opportunities and one thing has led to another.

“So hopefully, I can demonstrate that you don’t have to have it all figured out, and there’s opportunities out there if you’re willing to take them.”

Ms Pierce said she was proud to be invited to be a guest speaker at FCJ College.

“Everyone has such different experiences in life, so I think it’s important to show that no matter what experience you have, you can still end up getting to where you want to be,” she said.

“Even if you don’t know what you want to do, you can just say yes to every opportunity.”

That sentiment was shared by Ms Osborne, who spoke of the importance of International Women’s Day.

“I think it’s very important, especially the girls and women that are finishing Year 12 about to start their careers and futures,” she said.

“A lot of them will have some idea what they want to do, some will have no idea.

“I think it can be quite overwhelming, and that never stops in terms of progressing motherhood or a career.

“There’s so many choices that you have to make. But to feel validated and normalised in what you’re experiencing, I think it’s very important.”

Ms Hayes said, regardless of the day, she was always trying to inspire women and young girls to be the best versions of themselves.

“I’ve got my daughter here, which is lovely, and my mum, so a lot of women in my life,” she said.

“I’m coming back to share my story and hopefully inspire other young women.

“I want them to know that rural life is great and coming back and being in Benalla is a great place to be.”

FCJ College principal Joseph Mount said there was always a wonderful community spirit, which was evident by the fact that the IWD breakfast was driven by students.

“We’ve got our largest cohort of community members (this year), that includes our biggest group of Year 12 students,” he said.

“It’s such an important day. The themes over the years have really helped shape the guest speakers’ thoughts, reflections, and inspired our young women and our young men to reflect upon not only the women in their lives, but also the challenges and struggles that have existed and still exist today.

“We have some Year 7s right through to Year 12s here today, and the beauty is they’re sitting with the special woman in their lives.”

Mr Mount said he had always been pleased with the calibre of guest speakers at the IWD breakfast.

“Every year we've got alumni who readily put their name forward and volunteer for this day,” he said.

“Our guest speakers this year are from a variety of fields, all four are just brilliant.”

Mr Mount said it would be wonderful if some of the students in attendance were back as guest speakers in the future.

“That’s the absolute hope,” he said.

“The young girls here today will look up to these guest speakers and hopefully be those speakers in the future.”