Women share inspirational stories

Head to Dudley Denny City Library for an hour from 1pm to hear the stories of four inspirational local women.

Claire Grandcourt, Petra Hohl, Yvonne Tui and Georgine Crawford have come from diverse backgrounds and will share their accomplishments, struggles and stories with library visitors for International Women’s Day.

Council Community and Client Services acting director Angela Hays said Claire Grandcourt was born in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) and immigrated to Australia with her family in 1983 when she was seven.

“Claire went to school in Mackay and university in Rockhampton and Brisbane before returning to Mackay to work with our Libraries team as the Young Peoples Librarian,” Ms Hays said.

“Lots of people know Claire, but few know about her childhood in Zimbabwe, so it will be a really interesting story,” she said.

Petra Hohl also has a story of immigration.

“In December 2007 my husband, two children and I moved from Switzerland in the middle of winter to the hot and steamy summer of Mackay,” Ms Hohl said.

“My education, as a teacher, was not recognised and my kids did not know much English, so the first half year was quite a struggle,” she said.

Yvonne Tui, president of the Mackay Host Lions Pacific Island Community, and well-known migrant worker Georgine Crawford will also share their stories.

The event is free to attend; however, attendees are asked to register their interest via Eventbrite or by calling their local library branch.

This year’s Australian International Women’s Day 2020 theme is “Each for Equality”.  This theme encourages individuals to take responsibility for their own thoughts and actions to help fight inequality.