An inspiration on every level
The Sydney Morning Herald announced on Monday it was a “Great day for women”. At first I thought they were referring to those women (like me!) enjoying the Liberated Life retreat for women in the Hunter Valley! But rather the declaration was for all Australian women. For the appointment of our very first female Governor General had just been announced.
For our international readers, the prestigious role of Governor General is a hangover of our membership in the Commonwealth of Nations; the “GG” is our Queen’s official representative in Australia.
On Sunday our Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - a thoroughly modern bloke - announced that Quentin Bryce will be our 25th GG and the first female to occupy the role. He said Bryce would would capture “the spirit of modern Australia” in the vice-regal position.
Bryce for her part said the role was a great honour and responsibility. “I grew up in a little bush town in Queensland of 200 people, and what this day says to Australian women and to Australian girls is that you can do anything, you can be anything,” she said. “It makes my heart sing to see women in so many diverse roles across our country in Australia.”
And I must say it makes my heart sing to see the appointment of such a wonderful role model, on every level. Bryce is a prominent feminist and campaigner for women’s rights and was a lawyer specialising in anti-discrimination and human rights law before becoming the Governor of Queensland in 2003.
A mother of 5 and grandmother to 5 gorgeous grandchildren (yes -they’ve all featured in the media headlines), Bryce is a stylish, educated, warm and feminine leader. No dark pin striped suits for our new GG - she prefers tailored pastels that show off her elegant features. What a breath of fresh air!
Congratulations to our PM on getting it so right: Quentin Bryce is an inspiration for women leaders on every level.
April 22nd, 2008 at 22:57:27
Even with one of the recommendations from the 2020 Summit being that Australia becomes a Republic, I too was very pleased with the announcement that Quentin Bryce was the new Governor General. I was inspired by her words about Australian women and girls being able to do and be anything. With the appointment of a female Deputy Prime Minister and now a female GG, this may be a sign of more good things to come!