The first forum for 2025, what a sensational experience!

Most of the schools in Geelong have joined the program again, with greater numbers. After such a successful experience in 2024, we invited some new schools from the West of Melbourne, including Copperfield College. In addition to this, members of Respectful Relationships Footscray office attended to gauge potential opportunities to build the program in their region. This year with so many new schools and staff we provided more professional learning opportunities online to coach the facilitators and ensure that students arrived with a broad understanding of the student perceptions in their school. This included referencing Attitudes to School Data and other data related data sets. Overall this enhanced the day as staff and students were genuinely engaged in their schools’ BBBH work.

Maddison Gore (NBC) and Maddie Solly (NGSC) led the day with wonderful MC duties. Maddie delivered an excellent acknowledgement of Country and then introduced us to Annabelle, the school captain of Geelong High. An incredible leader, she inspired us and set the tone for the day.

Annabelle talked of having a significant loss in her early years and gravitated to the Be Bold Be Heard initiative. She epitomised the purpose of this program and in many senses clarified its responsibility to the broader community. Annabelle spoke to the 150+ audience and captivated them for 10 minutes on her journey and the values of this program. Staff and guests were left in awe at her strength, vulnerability, courage and leadership. I think everyone felt a connection to her and this program as a result. We could not thank her enough for giving up her time as a year 12 student, but it was difficult to do as she kept thanking us. What an absolute star! One of Annabelle’s messages was “You do not need a badge to be a leader!”.

Brad Headlam | Annabelle | Maddie Solly

Forum 1 theme:

Turning passion into project. What drives someone to becoming a changemaker and turn their passion into tangible steps that bring about change? This forum will inspire future change makers by offering incredible stories and experiences from women who have journeyed before them, encourage them to take action and amplify their voices to create meaningful change towards gender equality.

Student Goals

Following on from our Bold Beginning, students underwent a collaborative ice-breaker and quickly launched into their action planning, fueled by effective discussions in their own schools about their situations in their local context for middle years girls. Throughout 2025 the students in the BBBH program will continue to work towards goals through carefully implementation of action plans. Some of the goals for change discussed by some schools at this forum included:
● The attitude from girls and boys towards Physical Education
● Boys attitude towards girls in Physical Education
● Change the perception on food
○ Making girls feel more comfortable and more educated about good foods
● Show what could happen if you don’t eat
● Change the role of Peer Support to promote interaction with year 7-9 students
● Change the way that the younger year levels see teachers and senior school
● Educate the teachers more
○ More female staff
○ Buildings far away
● Building connections between year levels
● Getting sporting equipment at lunch and better seating areas
● Reaching out to teachers

Speakers

Our wonderful guests, who volunteered their time, were asked questions in line with the theme of Bold Beginnings.

Roxie Bennett

Roxie Bennett is a strategic relationships and community engagement specialist with a strong background in media, communications, events, and marketing. In her childhood Roxie spoke of her problematic behaviours but wondered if people would vote for her one day. She had difficulty concentrating, but always knew she would find her way. This behaviour was cleared up with a diagnosis of ADHD 2 years ago, explaining some of the problematic behaviours of her childhood. Her advice to students: (you can) “achieve what you want in 20-40 years”. (give yourself the time!)
Message to younger self: “You are ok!” and “One day you will upset some important men!”
Roxie said that she was old enough to not get hurt by speaking up, so speaks up, readily. Also telling the students that “There is no job a woman cannot do, unless it is a sperm donor!”

Annabelle | Roxie | Michelle | Ilona

Michelle Clark

Michelle holds the position of director at the Office for Women in Victoria. She stated that she was a bit of a nerd, however proudly attended a Fat Boy Slim concert recently. She used to look at popular girls and felt she was missing something. Went on to do Law at Uni, quickly discovered there is nothing worse than corporate law. Decided to no longer be a lawyer and so followed her interests. Did a Graduate Diploma in National Security for the National Government and started to develop Women’s policy.
She told us that “Opportunities will arise”. She reminded us that the “World is shaped by and for men!
And so, when growing up, she wondered: “I do not fit, it must be me!” Now with greater knowledge is well aware that all reference data is based around the caucasian man.

● Work day week
● School day
● Crash test dummies
● Air conditioning
● Hence: “Men do not see the issue!”

She told us that we can do anything but the World has limitations, which are difficult to impact at one level. View it as it has a “Glass ceiling, sticky floor and wall → Try very hard to break and get in with others to do this!”

Ilona Rose

Coordinator of the Koorie Education Support Officers in Barwon, delivered a wonderful acknowledgement of Kardinia as the Place of the Rising Sun. As a young person was quiet and reserved and loved school. Her school marks gained were from hard work! During Primary School her beloved grandfather passed away. It was then she learned about his ‘stolen life’ and living at a mission from the age of 9 to 19. Ilona’s dad took her back to Country to be with aunties and uncles. Passionate about working with young people she told our 150 students “You are deadly strong young people”. Message for young people: “you are so much more than your job”. She also reminded us that “True friends straighten each other's crowns” “Let others know you are deadly” and take opportunities to lift each other up.
These speakers were outstanding and thank them for their contribution to the program.
All schools now continue with their work until the next forum on June 6 but student leaders and staff champions are invited to some professional learning opportunities in term 2.

Leadership Summit -Bold Minds, Brave Leaders → May 16

This is a multi-layered event where students who have undergone an application process participate in a YLEAD program to build their capacity to lead our BBBH events. In addition to this there will be a Professional Learning Opportunity for staff Champions who are leading or would like to lead BBBH in their schools.

Forum 2 June 6 →Unlocking Equality: Finding Equality in Every Space

This (the second) forum will encourage collaboration conversation around breaking down the barriers perpetuating gender inequality and provide actionable steps to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and valued in the pursuit of equality.
Should you want more information about the program or to be involved please contact any of the BBBH Committee members:
Maddie Solly, Brad Headlam, Julianna Garcia, Maddison Gore.

The BBBH Committee 2025