Really Interesting Women - the PodcastEp. 126      MOYA DODD AOMoya Dodd is a lawyer, sports administrator and a former vice-captain of Australia’s women’s football team, the Matildas. She played in FIFA’s first ever women’s tournament in 1988.  Twenty-five years later, she joined the governing body of FIFA as one of the first women in its 108-year history. It's unsurprising that when she was there she found the place was rife with integrity and gender issues. She was one of only 3 of 27 FIFA Executive Committee members who declined a $25,000 gift watch at the 2014 World Cup.  A year later, she found herself in a luxury Zurich hotel as her colleagues were arrested in a dawn raid. As the 'FIFAGate' scandals unfolded, Moya led the #womeninFIFA reform movement, becoming ‘the driving force in the recent push for women within FIFA’ (New York Times) and ‘one of the most credible and outspoken voices for change within the organization’ (Vice Sports). In 2016 she was named the most influential woman in Australia by the Australian Financial Review, and in 2018 was named by Forbes magazine as the 7th most powerful woman in international sport (outside the US). In 2020, Moya was listed in WICC's global "Best XI" for advancing women's soccer.She is a much sought after speaker on the international circuit on many topics including issues of equality, integrity, and change. Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the PodcastEpisode 125Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli AMIt's hard to briefly describe Maria's bio  - but it goes a long way explaining it by understanding she is from a Southern Italian poor, migrant, working class background which instilled in her a resistance to systemic injustice.She has been an academic, author, activist and ally in the issues and intersections of cultural diversity, gender and sexual diversity, relationship and family diversity for over 30 years....and it was a really insightful discussion which was based on a lifetime's experience and an academic understanding. But it was never laced with anger or contempt or masked with utter disappointment and there were no accusations of inaction by those that could change things. Rather, it was a discussion to help others understand the effect a lack of diversity and acceptance can have. And how to fix that. By way of example, there is a lot written and said about 'safe environments' - and although I think I know what that means, when I asked her what an 'unsafe environment' looks like...I acquired a much better understanding. Maria is regularly called upon to act as a consultant in educational, workplace, youth services, health services and community service settings. Maria is also regularly invited to speak at diverse community, educational, organisational and other functions and conferences, and in various media such as television, radio and newspaper. Head to the link in my bio to have a listen to Maria's podcast. Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the PodcastEp. 124Catherine Branson AC KCIn 1984 Catherine Branson made history when a dual appointment saw her became the first woman in Australia to be appointed Crown Solicitor and the first woman to be appointed as permanent head of a government department in South Australia.  She went to the bar in Adelaide and then took silk in 1992. An appointment as a judge to the Federal Court of Australia followed in 1994. In 2008 she was appointed President of the Australian Human Rights Commission. The following year she was appointed Human Rights Commissioner. A few months ago, it was announced that my guest would serve a 3rd term as Chancellor of the University of Adelaide. An extraordinary career and her work with the Human Rights Commission gave her the opportunity and the platform to give a voice to immigrants detained indefinitely and to support the rights of Indigenous Australians. Another true pioneer who paved the way for others. Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the Podcast Episode 123AMBER LAWRENCEAmber started her professional career as a Chartered Accountant but she left that to pursue a dream. After a very successful debut in the 2005 Tamworth Country Music Festival  - coming second in the major singing competition to Jessica Mauboy - Amber took that success and started her country music journey in earnest. She put in a lot of hard work and was constantly touring. It paid off as she became one of Australia’s leading female country singers. But that’s not just my opinion. She’s won 6 Golden Guitars, including Female Artist of the Year at the 2023 Golden Guitar Awards. On the way to that success she has toured the world, entertained Australian troops overseas and even went to New York to play a song she wrote to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea - in front of the President of the United States and the Australian PM (and 800 others).In July 2022, she released her tenth studio album, Living for the Highlights, which reached number 1 on the ARIA charts and the Australian Country Music charts. Head to Amber's website for info on her touring dates and a link to her albums.www.amberlawrence.com.auHead to the link in my bio to have a listen to our conversation. Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcastEp. 122Professor Julie RrapJulie has been a central figure in Australian contemporary art for 4 decades. Our conversation covers a lot and I guess that was inevitable given her enormous contribution to art both in Australia and internationally.  She has worked with photography, painting, sculpture, performance and video in an ongoing project concerned with representations of the body with a particular emphasis on the female body within western art history. Julie has been described as one of Australia's leading feminist artists. Since her first exhibition in 1982, she has been consistently committed to the exploration of the role—or absence of roles—of women in the history of art. Throughout her career she has exhibited extensively throughout Europe and Australia. She completed her PhD in 2010 and is currently  Co-Director and Co-Chair of Sydney College of the Arts.Image:  Simon SchluterVisit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Podcast Episode 121Distinguished Professor Jenny Graves AC FAAJenny Graves is a leading evolutionary geneticist who was a very early adopter of gene mapping. She uses genome comparisons to explore the origin, function and fate of human sex genes and chromosomes. In other words, exploring what is it that makes us male, and female and she’s also explored the evolution of the so called ‘gay gene’ and the genetics of transgenderism. She’s a Distinguished Professor at La Trobe University, is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the US National Academy of Science, 2006 L’Oreal-UNESCO Laureate for Women in Science, and she won the 2017 Australian Prime Minister’s Prize for Science (the first woman to win solo). In 2022 she was elevated to our highest honour, Companion of the Order of Australia. She knows what she's talking about. Join me for a really interesting discussion.  Head to the link in my bio to her podcast episode.Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - The podcastEpisode 120     Del Kathryn BartonDel Kathryn Barton is one of Australia’s most recognisable and collectable artists.  She’s now widely recognised as one of Australia's leading figurative painters and a 2-time Archibald Prize winner. Only the second woman to do that in the 103 year history of that portrait prize.  Her first year out of art college she had the extraordinary honour of being hung in the prestigious Sulman Art Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW. All of this is a very long way from her isolated and unconventional rural upbringing where her father was attempting to build a house from scratch (as an untrained builder) while the family lived in tents and other temporary shelters.  She openly talks about her mental health issues which went largely undiagnosed. It was her mother that suggested she take up drawing as a child to overcome these crippling attacks. And that’s where it started.  It’s a fascinating, open, fun, funny conversation. And she gave me the secret to her success. It’s no secret.... it’s been discussed by most of the women on this podcast series. Hard work. Really hard work. And passion for the work.  Head to the link in my bio to listen to Del’s episode. Or go to your usual podcast platform and search Really Interesting Women. It’ll be there.   Image: Eugene Hyland    Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - Podcast Revisited on 'Throwback Thursday'Anna Funder Ep. 105.   Anna Funder is one of Australia’s most acclaimed and awarded writers and an international success. One of her books is currently being made into a film with a Hollywood household name as its protagonist.  ...and she dreamed of being a writer since she was a child. Anna spent her early childhood in Paris where her father was working. First day at primary school was a little tricky. Didn’t understand what anyone was saying. She subsequently learnt to read and write in 2 languages. And from that moment, words were her obsession.  She started her working life as a lawyer and gave up what she called “probably the best lawyer job in Australia”, working in the Attorney General’s department on treaty negotiations and international law. But she didn’t feel like it was her ‘real life’. She made a life changing decision to move to Berlin and become a writer. The full story can be heard on the podcast including, while promoting her book ‘Stasiland’, going on a public stage in Germany where the first 2 rows were occupied by ex-Stasi, all taking notes! That 2003 book Stasiland won, amongst many other things, the Samuel Johnson Prize which is for the best non-fiction writing in the English language (!!). Actor Tom Hanks described it as 'fascinating, entertaining, hilarious, horrifying and very important.'  Her 2012 novel, All That I Am, won a myriad of awards including the very prestigious Miles Franklin Award.  In her recently released book, Wifedom, Anna uncovers George Orwell’s ‘forgotten’ wife Eileen O’Shaughnessy, and rewrites her into history. Geraldine Brooks described the book as, 'Simply, a masterpiece'. Her books are important because of the truths they reveal. They are beautifully researched and exquisitely told.  Have a listen to this fascinating conversation. Head to the link in my bio or copy and paste this link into your browser: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849?i=1000619409426 Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history.Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcastEpisode 119Associate Professor Michelle Telfer MBBS (Hons.) FRACP GAICDMichelle Telfer, through her work as an expert in adolescent medicine and through her development and expansion of the Royal Children's Hospital Gender Service for 10 years, is one of the best placed professionals in the country to talk about transgender and gender diverse children and adolescents in Australia and their need for  improved access to medical and mental health care.It's a long way from when her talent as a gymnast was spotted when she was 5 years old. But when you hear her speak, you can feel the determination and resilience that would have been needed to succeed as a gymnast that is still part of her ongoing journey to succeed now in an area that attracts, at times, extremely harsh  and often misplaced criticism.Michelle Telfers was an elite gymnast who competed in the 1990 Commonwealth Games and 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. She came back to finish her final year of high school and was successful enough to go on to study medicine and then went on to specialise as a paediatrician, receiving Membership of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2010. She was the Director of the Department of Adolescent Medicine at Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. She was also the Director of the Royal Children’s Hospital Gender Service and has been instrumental in the development and expansion of the clinical and research programs amidst rising demand for trans-specific health care in children and adolescents. She has recently been appointed Chief of Medicine for the Royal Children’s Hospital. It's an important discussion as the commentary we often see or read, is rarely coming from those who practice at the coal face, so to speak. To listen to this episode, head to the link in my bio or search 'Really Interesting Women' in your favourite podcast platform. It will be the latest episode. Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcastEpisode 118Tana DouglasTana Douglas is acknowledged throughout the global music industry as a pioneer. She was the first female 'roadie' (road crew for rock bands). The first woman in a testosterone fuelled world. You talk about challenges. There's one. It was a rocky start. She ran away from an abusive childhood and found herself in the early 70’s in Nimbin (the hippie capital of Australia) where a chance meeting with... a tightrope walker of all things, changed her life. For example, soon after that, she walked into a downtrodden home in Melbourne to meet with a band who needed a roadie. She was 16 and stood in the living room looking at a bedraggled group of young men who weren't that much older than her. They hadn't even put out an album yet. But there was something about them. Tana reckons there was an energy that they seemed to just exude. It was AC/DC. She lived with them for over a year while they put their first album together. That then started a chain of events that led to her touring the world and working with bands such as Status Quo, The Who, Ozzy Ozborne, Iggy Pop, Elton John, INXS, Lenny Kravitz, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers...the list is endless. ...and so are the fabulous stories.  Imagine throwing down shots with Bon Scott backstage at Wembley before he went out in front of 80,000 people. She did that!Have a listen to this podcast - head to the link in my bio. The book isLoud: A life in rock’n’roll by the world’s first female roadie Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the podcastEpisode 117Louise Herron AMLouise Herron became the first woman appointed to lead the World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House. During that time, she was charged with transforming the Opera House and overseeing a decade of renewal in all aspects including the largest and most transformative series of building works since the Opera House opened in 1973. The renewal process included the enormous task of trying to improve the acoustics as part of the concert hall renovation. That herculean task had its first litmus test recently when the world-renowned conductor Simone Young led the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in the first concert after the renewal, stating afterwards... ‘I’ve never known anything like we’re experiencing today’.  Each CEO of the Opera House seems to be a custodian, a visionary, and an historian. Louise recounts the sliding door moment that may have meant the Opera House, as we know it, may never have been built but for the late arriving Finnish/American architect Eero Saarinen who was part of the design competition judging panel and wasn’t happy with the shortlist presented to him...so he started foraging through the rejected entries (some say they may have already been literally binned) and found Utzon’s sketches (not even plans) – and just said, ‘that’s it’.  It's a fascinating discussion covering not just the Opera House, but how Louise progressed her career, the drivers, and motivators behind her decisions. The transferable skills she has used in the varied jobs she has had. Also...we discussed where to from here for the Arts generally. How can we progress and promote the Arts and remove barriers from accessing, participating, and enjoying such a vital aspect of life.  Head to the link in my bio for Louise Herron's podcast episode.Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the PodcastEpisode 116    Heather Mitchell AMHeather Mitchell is one of this country’s most acclaimed actors. In a career lasting over 4 decades (and counting), she has been involved in film, theatre and television projects that we would all be familiar with no matter what era you call your own...the TV miniseries Bodyline, the fantasy teen drama Spellbinder, movies such as Proof, The Great Gatsby, Muriel’s Wedding, Palm Beach and countless theatre productions culminating most recently in the critically acclaimed, RBG: Of Many, One, where Heather, in an extraordinary performance, plays the former US Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsberg - one of nearly 30 characters she plays in the show. But if you think that working in a fickle industry for 40 plus years means she’s probably had an easy run...nothing could be further from the truth. The strength, determination and resilience required from Heather in the face of, at times, overwhelming odds, would be beyond most of us. It speaks volumes of her that she has faced these challenges and will still light up a room with her smile and genuine (!) demeanour. Clairvoyants and burnt toast play a big part in her life too - have a listen to her podcast episode to understand why. She’s greatly respected and admired within the industry and, more importantly, much loved .Her memoir, Everything and Nothing (Allen & Unwin) is a really good read. A great Christmas gift if you ask me.https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Heather-Mitchell-Everything-and-Nothing-9781761067303/Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - The PodcastEpisode 115      Suzie MillerSuzie Miller is this country’s most successful playwright.  Her recent play ‘Prima Facie’ has had sold out performances in Australia, London’s West End and New York’s Broadway and is now being produced in over 30 countries. Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer would have had the luxury of being able to choose any theatrical production to make her West End debut. She chose Prima Facie. The response has been phenomenal. It has earned Suzie the prestigious Olivier Award in London for Best New Play. Was it luck? Well, Suzie Miller’s ‘overnight success’ as some may put it, has been over 20 years and 40 plays in the making – and that’s not counting her legal career which has been a huge influence on her writing.  She initially studied science and, realising that was not going to be the career for her, went on to study law.  A short stint in corporate law precipitated a move to the Aboriginal Legal Service, and eventually the Shopfront Youth Legal Centre in Kings Cross. And during this time, she was writing.  Her first play in 2003 was based on her Kings Cross legal experience. It transferred from a fringe Sydney theatre to the Sydney Opera House. She was enjoying great local success but still had to juggle both playwrighting and the law for some time and then she came to a crossroads in 2009.  Join me for our conversation as we discuss her career to date as well as her more recent plays, her debut novel (an adaptation of Prima Facie), several television projects and the enormous amount she puts back into the industry and its people (including me!).  In an industry that can be fickle and unforgiving, Suzie Miller’s success should be celebrated. HEAD to the link in my bio to listen to this episode.      Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - The PodcastEpisode 114Nicole Livingstone OAMNicole Livingstone was part of the Australian swimming team for twelve years - starting when she was in Grade 8!  She went to 3 successive Olympic Games winning a silver and 2 bronze medals. She was a short course world record holder in backstroke and, in fact, still holds the longest winning sequence in history of any Australian swimmer (male or female) at the national titles. Ten consecutive backstroke titles. More than enough achievements for one lifetime...but then she went on to a long and successful career in the media as a host and commentator and joined a number of not-for-profit boards including co-founding, with her sister, Ovarian Cancer Australia. And then another opportunity presented itself in 2017 and after an exhaustive process, she was announced as the Australian Football League's head of women's football and is now responsible for managing the hugely successful AFL Women’s competition.You've probably seen Nicole on television in some capacity over the last 20 years or so, but, like me, you probably didn't know the whole story. It's a fascinating conversation and one which I'm sure you'll enjoy. Head to the link in my bio to have a listen to the podcast conversation. Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - the PodcastEpisode 113.        Dr. Bronwyn BancroftDr Bronwyn Bancroft is a proud Bundjalung woman and a very successful artist. But the journey has been a long one and she's overcome hurdles that most of us can't imagine. Bronwyn's career has included both national and international exhibitions, and her work has been acquired by all major Australian galleries, state libraries and private collections.  She has also been a trailblazer in children’s literature having published over 40 books. In addition to this she has been a director of her own company, Designer Aboriginals since 1985 and, in 1987, was one of the first Australian fashion designers to be invited to exhibit their works in Paris. She has a long history of involvement in community activism and arts administration, and has served as a board member for the National Gallery of Australia. She has a Diploma of Visual Arts, 2 Masters degrees and in 2018 was awarded her PhD in Visual Arts. To have a listen to our conversation about her amazing journey, head to the link in my bio. Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - The podcast Episode 112    Collette Dinnigan AOCollette Dinnigan is one of the country’s most successful fashion designers. Her creations have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Princess Mary, and the Duchess of Cambridge. She became the first Australian to mount a full-scale ready-to-wear collection in Paris and was subsequently invited to show on the prestigious Paris Fashion Week schedule. Collette has won Australian Designer of the Year, the Louis Vuitton Business Award and the Award for Excellence from Fashion Group International amongst many other accolades. She has even been a Special Guest Editor for Vogue Living’s ‘Italian’ issue. Her business was an international success and then, after 24 years, she closed her boutiques in Sydney, Melbourne and London, stopped producing her successful bridal and evening wear lines and, with a renewed sense of purpose, headed in a new creative direction for all the right reasons.We had a great discussion which included, as a child,  her family's real life re-enactment of the TV series The Rovers (one of the great Australian shows!), being told at Fashion School that she was least likely to succeed in the class, her international rise and embracing new opportunities (working with Specsavers, entering Celebrity MasterChef) and...food. We even get tips on the best thing for Italian food lovers to plant in a garden. Everything covered!Head to the link in my bio for a listen. Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women Podcast Ep. 111      Danielle LaidleyDanielle Laidley had an illustrious career as an AFL player and in 1996 won a premiership with the North Melbourne Football Club. She subsequently became one of the youngest head coaches in the league’s history at the age of 36 and was then inducted into the club’s hall of fame. But her amazing career and life were never what they seemed on the surface. Danielle  faced a private and lifelong battle with gender dysphoria and that constant struggle with her identity led eventually to legal troubles and addiction issues...which, in other circumstances, may have led to her undertaking a private recovery. But in her case, it was all cruelly and publicly exposed without her consent or knowledge. And then came the incredible journey to recovery. I think it would be fair to say Danielle is the most prominent transgender person in the country. The opportunity to reveal who she really was was taken away from her by police at the St Kilda police station when photos were taken and distributed publicly without her knowledge or consent . And that was how her own children found out. Danielle is now taking back control of her own story and it's through podcasts such as this one and a documentary streaming on Stan (see below).It's an important episode and can help people understand. Please head to the link in my bio for a listen. #reallyinterestingwomen #riw #daniellelaidley #transgender #genderdysphoria #addiction #determination #resilience@daniellemaylaidley07@the_dls@afl@aflwomens@nmfcofficialThe book is:Don't Look Away: A Memoir of Identity and AcceptanceThe documentary:Stan Revealed: Danielle Laidley: Two TribesVisit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting WomenPodcast - Episode 110Nikki GemmellNikki Gemmell is an international best-selling author of over 20 books and a Walkley Award winning commentator and opinion writer for The Australian newspaper.  Her subject matter and distinctive writing style led to the French literary magazine Lire in 2007 including her in a list of what it called the fifty most important writers in the world – those it believed would have a significant influence on the literature of the 21st century. In fact, in France she has been described as a "female Jack Kerouac ". Four of her books (Shiver, Cleave, The Bride Stripped Bare and The Book of Rapture) made the longlist of "Favourite Australian Novels" as chosen by readers of the Australian Book Review.  But it was her best-known work in 2003, The Bride Stripped Bare, which became a world-wide publishing sensation...and then upended her universe. To protect herself she initially published the book anonymously. Then the media outed her and, according to Nikki herself, all hell broke loose. The consequences are still being felt today.With Nikki Gemmell there's always a lot to discuss. And we try and cover as much as we can...her loving yet fractious relationship with her mother, how to deal with the inevitable withering criticisms that come from being a public figure and her liberating time as a writer in London....and then retraining, as she calls them, her pommy children to become Australian when she returned to these shores. But all the while, it was her love of writing that kept her moving through life's rollercoaster. And still does.  Her books display the qualities she most admires in other authors...brutal, eviscerating honesty. But there’s an overriding sense of fun, wit and wisdom which makes her a brilliant writer, a great guest and, it goes without saying, a really interesting woman. Visit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Really Interesting Women - Podcast Episode 109Caroline de Mori AMThis is a great story of an extraordinary woman.Caroline was a journalist, ran a PR company and was a successful business woman who ran her own company with 4 of her own children. When that just wasn't a thing. She's a risk taker, a do-er and hates injustice. Her corporate role took her all over the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of WA and what she saw in the remote Aboriginal communities affected her profoundly...as it would for anyone seeing it. But unlike 'anyone'...she decided to do something about it. In 2005, Caroline established the EON Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation to overcome chronic health issues in Indigenous communities in the most practical way – by helping them grow and prepare fresh fruit and vegetables. She recognised that the simplest way to provide fresh food particularly to remote communities was to grow it locally.The communities themselves request EON's assistance, so it has the best chance of success as a result. The children's involvement is a huge part of it. And it's working. Head to the link in my bio for Caroline's story. The website is brilliant. Have a look:www.eon.org.auVisit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849

Podcast ep. 108Marita Cheng AMMarita is a former Young Australian of the Year. 11 Years on from that award her work improving the lives of others is quite extraordinary. Marita and her brother were raised by their single mother in housing commission in Cairns. She encouraged education and worked a number of jobs such as a hotel room cleaner and dishwasher to give them every opportunity she could afford.  Marita is the founder of Robogals and the founder and current CEO of Aubot, a start-up robotics company. She co-founded Aipoly, an app to assist blind people to recognise objects using their mobile phones and was named as one of the World's Top 50 women in Technology by Forbes in 2018 and was recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2016. On 9 June 2019, Marita was appointed a member of the Order of Australia for significant service to science and technology, particularly to robotics.Former Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, described her as  a leader; an inspiration; a game changer. HEAD to the link in my bio for Marita's podcast episode. www.maritacheng.comVisit instagram @reallyinterestingwomen for further interviews and posts of interesting women in history. Follow the link to leave a review....and tell your friendshttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/really-interesting-women/id1526764849