At Cairns Convention Centre we value gender equality. To celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, we sat down with six inspiring women on our team to discuss what gender equality means to them, who inspires them, what advice they have received over the years.
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Janet Hamilton
General Manager
What is your proudest achievement working at Cairns Convention Centre?
Working on the expansion project and seeing it come to life with clients embracing the spaces – this new centre will bring employment and economic return for years to come in Cairns. I am also so proud of my team. They have shown incredible resilience and passion over the past couple of year with recovering from impacts of COVID and delays with the building projects.
Which women inspire you?
My mother – she has shown grace throughout her 98 years! Always kind, calm and cared for others.
What does gender equality mean to you?
Just be fair and reasonable – treat everyone the same.
What advice did you receive early in your career that has stayed with you?
In my very first job and in my first performance appraisal the person talking to me was positive – they told me I had potential. I hung on to that and still do! Other advice I received early, and I often pass on to others is that we are all afraid of failure and being judged. Just have a go and step up and embrace every opportunity. Work hard and find meaning in what you do.
Based on your own experience, what advice would you give to women considering pursuing a career in venue management?
I have had a fabulous career in events and 10 years ago I started running convention centres – first in Darwin and now in Cairns. I love the business events industry – running a Centre and bidding for conferences is so multi-faceted and you get to become expert on so many parts of the business. I would encourage anyone to get involved in business events and venue management, no day is ever the same and you get to work with a team of talented people in all areas.
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Emily Allen
Production Supervisor
What is your proudest achievement working at Cairns Convention Centre?
It is incredible to pull off a difficult event smoothly but I think it’s the little moments that happen in between, particularly the ones that create funny memories with friends. One of them happened after a long week when someone had to run all the way up to the fly floor and no one wanted to do it. I volunteered, and my supervisor looked at the rest of the team dead in the eyes, and exclaimed “yeah, Em will do it. IN HIGH HEELS”. The boys all grumbled but were thankful to not do yet another set of stairs. Big Week!
Moments like this that are full of banter and camaraderie have been the most rewarding in my career, and the reason I love working with my team.
Which women inspire you?
I’m lucky enough to have so many fantastic women in my life who have amazing stories and advice, but I’d say my grandmother is one of the bravest and strongest women I know. She lived through a world War, left everything she knew and crossed the world to give her family the best chance in life, run businesses, and has recently survived intensive surgery. She’s an incredible woman who I draw a lot of strength from.
What does gender equality mean to you?
I’m incredibly fortunate that I have such accepting and uplifting colleagues to work with in a male dominated career. I’ve rarely experienced inequality in this setting. I think regardless of gender, or any other grouping, we need to have genuine respect, acceptance, and kindness for each other. We build a better world just by extending a helping hand and cultivating our friendships and diversity.
What advice did you receive early in your career that has stayed with you?
Sometimes things are beyond control. You just have to step back, take a breath and let go.
Learn when it’s not your monkey, or when you need to share the monkey, but don’t let the monkey be overwhelming, because sometimes you really need to take a break from the circus!
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Cathy Taylor
Business Development Manager
What is your proudest achievement working at Cairns Convention Centre?
When we received the 2014 AIPC Award Wolds Best Congress Centre
Which women inspire you?
Women who lead by their own actions as examples can still be caring and professional -Julie Bishop
What does gender equality mean to you?
To me it means we are all treated the same as equals no matter your race or gender -women, men, boys and girls.
What advice did you receive early in your career that has stayed with you?
Listen to your client so you understand their needs , be honest and transparent in all of your communication as this will build trust.
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Demier Jones
Accountant
What is your proudest achievement working at Cairns Convention Centre?
My proudest moment would be being promoted to Accountant. I was so excited for the challenge ahead and knew I’d receive the support necessary to succeed in the role.
Which women inspire you?
I feel inspired by the women I am surrounded by – work colleagues, my mum, sister and friends. They all show strength and a willingness to mentor others, which to me is so important to have women building each other up.
What does gender equality mean to you?
Gender equality to me, means not being disadvantaged or unfavoured due to the gender you identify with.
What advice did you receive early in your career that has stayed with you?
I was told at a young age to work hard, be dedicated and be open to saying yes.
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Leisle Kuhle
Event Planner
What is your proudest achievement working at Cairns Convention Centre?
I am proud of the personal growth and development I have experienced from working at the Centre. I have learnt an incredible amount about events and am proud to have been promoted to an Event Planner within a year of working within the Cairns Convention Centre, with the support and encouragement of the entire team.
Which women inspire you?
I have been inspired by so many women, and every one of them has taught me something new in the way they live their lives. The list is endless but includes my mother, my first full-time employer, my current manager and team, the women in my church group, and the women in my family.
What does gender equality mean to you?
For me, gender equality is in the little things; being perceived in the same way as men, being held to the same standards, not having people question your place, and not having to constantly prove your worth.
What advice did you receive early in your career that has stayed with you?
A piece of advice I received was to stop being apologetic and to be more assertive in the way I hold myself and communicate with others. Especially as women, it can be very easy to be over-apologetic and self-diminishing, so it’s important we communicate in a way that shows we are worthy of respect.
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Nicole Monouluk
HR Coordinator
What is your proudest achievement working at Cairns Convention Centre?
Not so much an achievement, but just proud of working alongside confident women at the Centre.
Which women inspire you?
Women working in male dominant fields, their story on how they get there is always inspiring.
What does gender equality mean to you?
That both men and women are treated in fairness regardless of their race, gender, and beliefs.
What advice did you receive early in your career that has stayed with you?
Your job will always have its good days and bad days, take each day as it comes.
