Hello all,
With International Women’s Day 2021 fast approaching this Monday, we thought it a perfect time to embrace the theme #choosetochallenge and to share what we've been up to at the Community Bank Caloundra
Celebrating Caloundra community leaders this International Women's Day
The Community Bank Caloundra has challenged the status quo and in recent years has appointed four female non-executive directors on the board to join their all-female branch team.
Board members Ms Ann Sutherland, Ms Elizabeth Taylor, Ms Amanda Zinn and Ms Katie Wilke, together with branch manager, Pip Fawcett, and customer relationship manager, Angela Forster, have embraced their leadership roles and hope to inspire the next generation.
Community Bank Caloundra Chair, Mr Colin Rose, said he was proud to have challenged what a bank board looks like.
“For myself it was a heart desire to have younger people join our company Board and for as many of them as possible to be women. Leadership is all about recognising the talents and strengths of others and inspiring them to reach their fullest potential.
“Our world will be a different place for some time to come and there will be many adjustments we all have to make – ‘Choosetochallenge’ expresses a clear desire to step up,” said Mr Rose.
For non-executive director, Ms Katie Wilke (centre), #choosetochallenge will have a generational impact.
“With four kids, I am passionate about demonstrating to the next generation that the glass ceiling only stands where you choose to let it settle,” said Ms Wilke.
Branch manager, Ms Pip Fawcett (far right), has been heavily involved in the surf life-saving community, and actively works with young women in achieving their personal best.
“It’s inspiring to see the dedication and commitment of our young surf lifesavers. They say it takes a village to raise a child and it’s through organisations such as these that I feel we can demonstrate leadership, empower women and make a real difference,” said Ms Fawcett.
These social impact outcomes reinforce the importance of community leadership as demonstrated by the Community Bank Caloundra board and branch team. To date, the Community Bank Caloundra has given back over $450,000 to Caloundra locals via their support of community groups, sporting clubs and charity organisations, many of whom are also led by female staff and volunteers.
Recipient organisations include Caloundra Junior Rugby Union; Dicky Beach Surf Lifesaving Club; the Windansea Surf Club; Caloundra Basketball; Moffat Beach Netball; Golden Beach Neighbourhood Watch; Currimundi Primary School; Caloundra State High School; the Rotary Club of Caloundra; Island Charity Swim; QuoCKa Reading Program; Comunite'z; Caloundra Triathlon Club; and Curriumundi Catchment Care to name just a few.
International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by women to achieve recognition and gender equity, as well as highlighting the many great achievements of so many females in our communities. The women of the Community Bank Caloundra can be rightfully proud of their professional and passionate roles that are driving social, economic, and cultural change to make their community a better place. We also recognise and acknowledge the incredible achievements of so many other female change-makers in our Caloundra community."