This International Women’s Day (March 8) we proudly celebrate the achievements of women worldwide, while reinforcing our commitment to gender equality and the urgency required to advance justice for all women and girls across the globe.
This year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain’, reminds us that progress is powered by generosity and shared responsibility:
“Give to Gain emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.
Whether through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time, contributing to women’s advancement helps create a more supportive and interconnected world.” – International Women’s Day
Complementing this, UN Women Australia’s #IWD2026 theme, ‘Balance the Scales’, highlights the urgent need for fair, inclusive and accessible justice for every woman and girl in Australia. Despite decades of progress, women globally still hold just 64 per cent of the legal rights of men.
This International Women’s Day, we invite our community to reflect on what you can Give to Gain and to stand with us in the ongoing work of balancing the scales in Australia, not only for gender equality, but also in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO with Australian Girls Choir Founder and Girls from Oz Co-Founder Judith Curphey OAM; g-oz Chair Nicole Muir AM (far left); g-oz General Manager Kylie Lee-Archer (far right); and the 2018 g-oz Travel Program cohort in Melbourne.
These two #IWD2026 themes speak powerfully to the work of Girls from Oz, and are reflected in the generosity of our supporters and the strength of the girls and communities we serve.
As we enter our 19th year of programming, we’d like to thank the donors, partners, schools, and g-oz advocates whose continued support makes our work possible. Their generosity ensures First Nations girls in remote Australia have equitable access to educational opportunities that strengthen confidence and ambition.
Support us to continue uplifting the voices of Australia’s next generation of women on their pathway to success!
Since 2007, Girls from Oz has delivered 178 Community Programs, 22 Travel Programs, and 4 Reverse Travel Programs, reaching over 3,000 girls across some of Australia’s most remote communities. This work is only possible because of the sustained generosity of our dedicated donor network, and because of leaders who believe deeply in equality and access for all Australians.
One such leader is our g-oz Founding Patron The Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO.
Aunty Maureen Yanawana and Dame Quentin Bryce in Bidyadanga, Western Australia.
On this International Women’s Day, we acknowledge with deep gratitude the extraordinary service of Dame Quentin Bryce as she concludes her patronage with Girls from Oz.
We would not have sustained nearly two decades of impact without her endless generosity and unwavering belief in young people, particularly girls.
“It’s absolutely inspiring to be part of this. I feel so proud to talk about it to everybody I meet. Because what you see in Girls from Oz is so real. It does make a difference, it does change lives. It does empower young girls.” – Dame Quentin Bryce
Dame Quentin Bryce’s life demonstrates the power of Give to Gain: dedicating her talents and leadership to public service, she has helped rebalance opportunity and justice across Australia.
Raised in the small rural town of Ilfracombe in Queensland, she was the first from her school to attend university, one of the first women admitted to the Queensland Bar, and in 2008 made history as Australia’s first female Governor-General.
Across law, academia, human rights, childcare reform, and vice-regal service, her lifelong commitment to justice, equality and inclusion, especially for women, children, and Indigenous communities, has shaped Australia for the better.
From her tenure as Director of the Queensland Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1987–1988) to her role as Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner (1988–1993), she has leveraged every position to challenge inequality and drive lasting reform.
In recognition of her sustained and influential contributions to human rights, gender equality and the rights of women and children, Quentin Bryce was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1988 and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2003.
Elder Kathleen and Quentin in Bidyadanga, May 2023
An excerpt from Juliet Rieden’s 2025 publication ‘Quentin Bryce: The Authorised Biography’ offers insight into Ms Bryce’s deep commitment to reconciliation, while also capturing her undeniable warmth and charm through the words of Professor Marcia Langton, Indigenous elder, anthropologist, geographer and academic:
“I’ve never met anybody who didn’t warm to her, or who was not very impressed with her as a human being. She has this relentless optimism and faith in her fellow human beings to be upright about justice and fairness, and she has always believed in reconciliation.
She treats everybody equally and she’s always dignified and gracious and exactly herself with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, so she’s a role model for the kind of reconciliation that we can only dream about. Quentin had our backs for a very long time on important issues, and it’s obvious that she’s a woman of commitment.”
These qualities were not only expressed in Dame Quentin’s public life, but consistently reflected throughout her 12 years as Girls from Oz Patron.
Leading with warmth and zeal, she consistently used her voice and influence to champion the rights of Indigenous girls and young women, advocating for greater access to education and opportunity. Her patronage has been marked by genuine connection and steadfast support.
“We sincerely thank you, Quentin, for being an incredible role model, generous supporter and leading advocate. We’ve benefitted from thought provoking conversations, endless encouragement and have loved every minute of the many laughter filled hours we’ve spent with you.” – Nicole Muir AM, g-oz Chair
Quentin with g-oz Chair Nicole Muir AM (left) and g-oz General Manager Kylie Lee-Archer (right)
Dame Quentin’s impressive contributions include:
- Supporting the expansion of g-oz programs beyond Western Australia into Queensland
- Hosting g-oz participants at Admiralty House on two occasions
- Visiting Halls Creek and Bidyadanga in 2023 to connect directly with Elders, participants and communities
- Advocating for g-oz through national media, including The Australian Women’s Weekly
- Facilitating longstanding partnerships, including Puuya Foundation in Lockhart River
Most importantly, she has consistently been present during her patronage, listening attentively, affirming and encouraging the potential of every girl she encounters:
“Girls from Oz teaches you not to feel shame and to believe in yourself and that you can make it…and to smile despite anything. I learnt from Quentin Bryce to follow my dreams and not let anyone stop me – I really loved talking with her.” – Ritzana, g-oz Halls Creek alumna
Quentin visits Bidyadanga in May 2023
Quentin enjoys ‘girl time’ with Halls Creek District High School (HCDHS) g-oz participants in 2010.
Quentin and Mawella (g-oz Lockhart River participant) talk seriously about her future at Queensland University of Technology during the 2016 g-oz Travel Program to Brisbane.
On behalf of the Girls from Oz Board, staff, supporters, and the thousands of girls whose lives have flourished through g-oz programs, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Dame Quentin Bryce.
As her patronage comes to an end, her legacy lives on in the confidence and voices of the girls she has championed; and in Girls from Oz’s continued commitment to creating pathways for girls in remote Australia to thrive through the performing arts.
Thank you, Quentin!
