“These rural trailblazers are the future, and deserve a seat at the decision-making table,” says Country to Canberra CEO Han Worsley.
The prestigious annual Country to Canberra Leadership Competition has been won this year by two young leaders from rural NSW – Elora Guirguis from Wagga Wagga and Jorja O’Brien from Young.
Their exceptional entries exemplified the empowerment of women and girls within their communities during times of change, and they are two of 15 winners in total.
Living in Queanbeyan and working in Canberra, CEO Han Worsley began working at Country to Canberra initiative in 2015, after winning the inaugural Leadership Competition herself in 2014, and is proud to be a young, queer CEO committed to improving the quality and accessibility of education across Australia.
This year due to COVID-19, the young women will be taking part in a virtual competition, C2C On Screen.
The multi-day online program will host a series of leadership workshops, meetings with state and federal politicians, and mentorship opportunities.
In past years, the Power Trip would see winners flown to Canberra where they were able to meet with high profile politicians in person.
Jorja O’Brien said she is “excited for the opportunity to be a part of the highly competitive program”.
“I am proud to be representing my school, and NSW. It’s going to be wonderful to be part of this virtual program for young people in regional, rural, and remote Australia.”
Elora Guirguis said she was “thrilled to meet other winners and to represent NSW when participating in the virtual workshops”.
Ms Worsley describes last year’s C2C On Screen as incredibly successful, and is proud to announce the innovative program will return.
“The entries this year were of exceptional quality, and many shared stories of the unique hardships and triumphs of rural life during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
“C2C’s mission is to empower all young rural women and non-binary people to reach their leadership potential, which is why we run the Leadership Competition.”
The remaining 13 young leaders selected to participate in the Leadership Competition are:
- Clara Linn from Mirboo, Victoria
- Hannah-Leesha Moodley from Mildura, Victoria
- Millie Patterson of Geraldton, WA
- Aimee Telford from Bunbury, WA
- Tegan Senar from Auburn, SA
- Emily Sparrow from Kapunda, SA
- Maree Adams from Nhulunbuy, NT
- Heidi Berry from Paredareme Country, TAS
- Eloise Piper from Ulverstone, TAS
- Charlize Appleton from Belyando, Charters Towers, Queensland
- Samantha Dendle from Biloela, Queensland
- Lil O’Connor from Toowoomba, Queensland
- Sithmi Konora from Rockhampton, Queensland
C2C On Screen will be running from 22 to 24 November and the winning entries and biographies are available for the public to read at the Country to Canberra website.
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