International Women's Day Breakfast 2025

Zamantha is a Social Worker, supporting young people and their families who are experiencing family violence, and Laura is an A-Grade Electrician.

Zamantha's journey took her and her family from El Salvador to Australia as political refugees when she was 2 years old. She spoke of her own experience with family violence in an early relationship and her journey to realising she deserved better. She spoke of her youthful desire to help people and her initial career in the retail sector, where her work ethic and achievements went largely unrecognised when compared to men at the same level. Zamantha said it was her personal growth through schooling, life experience, and the support of others that made her who she is today and empowered her to seek more for herself and for others.

Laura was originally accepted into a Bachelor's Degree at Deakin University after finishing school, but wasn't convinced university was the right path for her. After spending time travelling the world, she returned home and decided to take on an electrical apprenticeship, following in the footsteps of others in her family, including her older sister. Now a qualified A-Grade electrician working for one of Australia's largest electrical consultancies, Laura says her all-girls education at Mater Christi taught her that her voice is valuable and gave her the confidence to believe in her own abilities and assert herself in a male-dominated industry.

Both women also acknowledged the men in their lives who have walked beside them, supported and empowered them to achieve, and who share the feminist journey that benefits women and men alike.

We are extremely grateful to Zamantha and Laura for coming today to share their stories.

Thank you to all who attended, including special guests from St Joseph's College, St Pauls Primary School Monbulk, St John the Baptist Primary Ferntree Gully, Upwey South Primary School & Lysterfield Primary School, and for all the generous gold coin donations, which will go towards fundraising efforts for the Mater Christi Outreach Program. Our thanks also to the local businesses who supported the event - Cognoscenti Food & Wine, Jag Hair Belgrave, La Collina Pizzeria, Belgrave Pizza House, & Taco 'n' Tequila's-Belgrave.