NORTHERN Health celebrated International Women’s Day on Friday, March 6, by bringing together staff, board members, distinguished guests, and community members for an inspiring morning at Mantra Epping.
The highlight was a presentation by Dr Susan Alberti AC AO AM, a highly respected Australian businesswoman, philanthropist, and former vice president of her beloved Western Bulldogs Football Club.
Mrs Alberti has raised more than $200 million for medical research and other charitable causes and also been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the community in 2016.
A year later, she won the Melburnian of the Year title, and in 2018, Victorian of the Year for positive influence across community health.
Those who attended said: “She captivated the audience from start to finish, with an emotional story of resilience, courage, and fortitude when she spoke about her work in the AFL and building industry, two industries often associated with men.”
An avid lover of AFL, Dr Alberti said: “It gives me such joy to see these little girls given the opportunity that their brothers are given to go and play the sport they truly love — and why not, why shouldn’t they be given the same opportunity?
“It’s there for them now, they can have a career in footy, whether it be playing the game,
administration, coaching. Let us celebrate the achievement of the birth of women playing at the highest level of AFL football. We have come a long way, but there is still a lot to be done. Why should women not be given the same opportunities as men?”