There was not a spare seat in the house at Soroptimist International Griffith's International Women's day breakfast.
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People from across the region in health care, community advocacy and business filled Exies auditorium Thursday morning to celebrate the annual event with stirring speech by distinguished guest speaker Lucinda Brogden AM.
"We are so grateful that everybody turned out this morning. We are really grateful to our sponsors because they also brought lots of their staff along," Sonia Casanova, president of Soroptimist International NSW said.
Mrs Brogden, chair of the National Mental Health Commission shared defining moments of her career and personal life, recognising the women who helped her grow and succeed. She spoke of the progress Australian society had made when it comes to giving women and girls equal opportunity in life.
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In 2019, Mrs Brogden was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her outstanding work boosting mental health awareness in the workplace. It was for this reason, Soroptimist International in Griffith approached Mrs Brogden to speak for their event.
"It has been great to have someone of Lucy's calibre to speak to our community in order for us to put ourselves on the right path to address these issues," president of the Griffith branch of Soroptimist International Trish Clarke said.
Mrs Brogden spoke of the complex interplay, particularly for regional communities between mental illness, drugs and the criminal justice system and how we need an overhaul in our understanding of how we approach and support people experiencing mental and emotional distress.
"We know that mental health is really important in our community now more than ever before with what we've been through over the last 12 months, so we are so grateful that Lucy has taken the time to come here," Ms Casanova said.
"It's a particularly special year for Soroptimist International, celebrating 100 years.
"Over the last 100 years we look back and see how much has changed and how much has been achieved but we know locally, around Australia and around the world there is still work to do to make sure everyone is treated equally."
Soroptimist International thanked their sponsors for the day including presenting partner Beyond Bank and community partner Griffith City Council.
Supporting sponsors included Casella Family Brands, Made to Thrive, Griffith Dental Lounge, Hunt and Hunt Lawyers, Owen Toyota, St Vincent's Private Community Hospital, Yenda Producers Cooperative.
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