ECU Alumni (L-R top row) Katie West, Tanya Dupagne OAM, Shenelle Rodrigo and Janine Wood JP (L-R bottom row) Mikayla King, Lucy Cooke, Colin Twist and Dr Marny Lishman.
When we asked some of our ECU Alumni community to help ECU celebrate International Women's Day by sharing the bold moves on their career and personal journeys, not only did we receive some beautiful, heartfelt insights, the request was greeted with great warmth about supporting each other.
Our Alumni said "sounds fabulous. I'd love to be a part of it. Amazing. I feel honoured to be asked. Happy to help promote opportunities for women. A great idea. Thank you so much for reaching out. A massive thank you - I love being included in these opportunities."
International Women's Day is held annually in March and this year's United Nations theme is 'March Forward'- for all women and girls and rights, equality and empowerment are key to that bold vision. It is bold vision that ECU shares.
Vice Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock launched celebrations with a global message to staff, noting how much there was for the University to celebrate on this global day of recognition. Firstly, as an opportunity to cherish the deep honour of being named after Edith Dircksey Cowan and show pride in being the only university in Australia to be named after a woman.
"Edith was such an inspirational pioneering woman that her bold vision, of a better life for all women and girls, still drives us forward today, " said Professor Pollock.
"We are immensely proud to congratulate all our Alumni on their achievements, here we celebrate a few stories of the bold moves they have made and I thank them for their contribution to this University and to the global community."
Katie West
"My bold move was nothing short of life changing in regards to the immense privilege and opportunity we have in such a fortunate country to help those less fortunate than us.
ECU Alumna Katie West, an ECU nursing placement to the Philippines was life-changing.
"I participated in a community nursing placement as a nursing student over in the Philippines organise through Edith Cowan University lead by the amazing Dr Carol Crevacore, this included medical missions in rural communities, providing health care to woman and their infants as well as home visits and providing essential services to children such as educating them on teeth brushing, hand hygiene and assessing for scoliosis and head lice.
Myself and 13 other Woman were fortunate enough to fundraise over $8,000 to donate much-needed items to places we visited in the Philippines. This includes household supplies and equipment for Concordia Orphanage, clinic supplies for rural villages, TVs for hospital waiting areas, renovations to rural hospitals as well as building a brand-new animal bite clinic and maintenance for a TB facility.
I am so grateful for this experience and the opportunity to give back to these beautiful communities with the help of our friends and family back home.
We all left the experience with a heart more full than we ever knew was possible. These memories, lessons, emotions and friendships made will stay with me always. I am forever grateful," said Katie.
Tanya Dupagne OAM
"My bold move has been deciding to make my story of becoming a person with disability at age 40 public.
ECU Alumna Tanya Dupagne OAM, Disability Advocate, educator and motivational speaker.
"By sharing both my daily challenges and successes in this space via media, advocacy groups, motivational speaking and YouTube, I can educate, help others feel they aren't alone and assist to change the way people view women with disabilities. It hasn't been easy, but through stepping out of my comfort zone, I feel like I'm able to help make a difference," said Tanya.
Shenelle Rodrigo
"In 2022 when Sri Lanka was going through one of its darkest times in recent history (Economic & political crisis), everyone around me was insisting I leave the country as it was doomed and had no future for anyone that stayed or came back.
ECU Alumna Shenelle Rodrigo, Founder of ‘This is Sri Lanka Cycling’ series.
"It was at this moment that my partner and I decided to come back to Sri Lanka and embark on our 'This is Sri Lanka Cycling' series to showcase the beauty of the island. The campaign was a resounding success which paved the way for even greater things for me personally and for so many others we collaborated with along the way.
This experience and several similar situations have instilled a motto in me.
"Even the dimmest of light shines brightest when it is dark all around you. So, shine bright no matter how dark it gets," said Shenelle.
Janine Wood JP
"Founding No Limits Perth was my bold move to re-envision community impact and become a change maker, bringing hope to those in need.
ECU Alumna Janine Wood, Founder of No Limits Perth.
"I believe that one act of kindness can spark a ripple of empowerment—uplifting women, inspiring girls, and strengthening our community. Every step forward shatters barriers and reaffirms that compassion is the most powerful force for transformation," said Janine.
Mikayla King
"I come from a community of women who make bold moves everyday as the leaders in our families, communities and workplaces.
ECU Alumna Mikayla King, Building capacity of women in communities.
"I carry their legacy by using my knowledge and skills to build the capacity of women around me whether they are 5 or 45. Women who sit in the classrooms I teach in, the university rooms I lecture in, the halls I write leadership programs in or in the communities I mentor in," said Mikayla.
Lucy Cooke
"Rehearsal has always been my favourite thing. My bold move was leaving a successful career in Hollywood to pursue a new invention - I created SpaceDraft, a communication technology that helps people rehearse for the real world, like having your very own crystal ball to transcend space and time.
ECU Alumna Lucy Cooke, Founder of SpaceDraft.
Today, SpaceDraft is used to choreograph logistics on mine sites across the globe in over 100 languages, proving that the right preparation can align expectations and drive positive change - because all the world's a stage.
Bold moves definitely make you bolder!"
Colin Twist
"I believe sharing my knowledge and experience with others is like sharing the flame of a candle to light somebody else's. My knowledge is never lost or diminished as a result, rather the opposite happens, with many other flames growing to shed light in the darkness. It costs nothing and the result is invaluable.
"As a mentor for the Australian Women in Security Network and the Purple Team Australia program for women and First Nations to transition into the cyber security industry, I'm committed to promoting opportunities for women and have found it a very humbling experience," said Colin.
ECU Alumnus Colin Twist, advocate and mentor for the Australian Women in Security with ECU Vice Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock.
Colin was asked to speak as one of the Top 100 ECU students at the Vice Chancellors Awards this year.
"The Awards gave me an opportunity to share my insight, life tips and inspiration – the response to my presentation was quite overwhelming, so was an amazing experience," said Colin.
Dr Marny Lishman
"If you believe that you can do something that makes the world a better place, do it, even if the world isn't ready for it yet."
ECU Alumna Dr Marny Lishman, health and community psychologist, author and keynote speaker.
Edith Cowan Memorial Lecture
Please take the opportunity to celebrate with us at ECU with a panel of distinguished industry leaders for the Edith Cowan Memorial Lecture as we reflect on the importance of a more equitable society.
Thursday, 20 March 2025 - 9.45am (for 10.00am start)
Networking and morning tea from 11.00am
ECU Mount Lawley campus
Building 17, Lecture Theatre 17.157
2 Bradford Street, Mount Lawley WA 6050
RSVP: FREE public event but please register your attendance by Friday, 14 March 2025
Follow more International Women's Day stories this month on the ECU Newsroom.
