The founder of a group that uses walking as a way to build connections and support between women has been named the 2023 Cairns Woman of the Year.
Small business owner and founder of Your Tribe group, Jo Piggott, was presented with the award at today's International Women's Day event at the Pullman International Hotel.
Ms Piggott started Your Tribe walk and talks along the Esplanade in 2019 with the aim of providing an environment where women could "talk about anything or everything they wanted".
Mayoress Claire Manning, who presented today's awards, said the walking group had been tremendous success, bringing together women from different backgrounds in an inclusive and welcoming setting.
"Jo's leadership skills have been instrumental to the success of Your Tribe," Mrs Manning said.
"As well as guiding the group herself, she has encouraged and empowered other women to lead walks, resulting in the group remaining relevant and sustainable.
"Jo also volunteers countless hours organising events, walks, and supporting members and has fostered a culture of women supporting and elevating each other, providing a safe space for them to talk about the challenges they face, their concerns and their goals."
"The group has now grown to more than 760 local women; a strong and connected network that supports and encourages women to be their best selves, regardless of their background or experience."
Passionate netballer Ashleigh Meikle, 17, has been named the 2023 Young Woman of the Year in recognition of her feats on and off the court.
"Ashleigh has shown a passion for developing other young players, which has seen her take on the added responsibilities of coaching, umpiring and mentoring, as well as playing herself," Mrs Manning said.
"Her dedication resulted in her club, the North Cairns Tigers, naming her as Coach of the Year in 2022, after she guided the under 14 team to the finals.
"While she has represented Peninsula and Cairns at state competitions and could have furthered her own playing aspirations by moving to another local club to play at a higher level, she has remained with the Tigers, putting the development of others ahead of her own."
Ashleigh has also helped to deliver the 'Diamond Spirit' program at Cairns State High School, which uses netball and educational pathways to nurture and support the growth of Indigenous girls.
Local advocate for bettering the lives of refugees and migrants, Anna Jones, has been named as the recipient of the Recognition Award.
Established by Council in 2018, the $2000 award encourages women of Cairns to achieve an important goal, and to support their valuable contribution to our community.
President of the Cairns African Association, Ms Jones has supported many newly arrived refugees feel safe and supported in the community.
"Notably, Anna initiated the Maisha Bora Program to support new arrivals to Australia and help with the process of integrating into a new culture and community," Mrs Manning said.
"Through the program she runs a platform that recognises the various skills of migrants, which can be empowering, especially for minority groups.
"Anna also provides training and mentoring for young women and adolescents and hopes to inspire these young women to become role models and the leaders of tomorrow.
"Anna has been quoted as saying, 'women's empowerment works on the premise that when you empower women, you empower the whole community', which best sums up the importance of the work she does."
Award recipients
WOMAN OF THE YEAR – Jo Piggott
A Cairns small business owner, Jo Piggott foundered the Your Tribe group in 2019 with the aim of providing an environment where women could "talk about anything or everything they wanted".
The group now boasts more than 750 members and brings together women from different backgrounds, age groups and social settings in an inclusive and welcoming setting.
Jo volunteers countless hours in organising events, walks, and supporting members and has fostered a culture of women supporting and elevating each other.
It allows women to talk about the challenges they face, their concerns and their goals in a safe space, regardless of their background or experience.
YOUNG WOMAN OF THE YEAR – Ashleigh Meikle
A passionate netballer Ashleigh Meikle has demonstrated a passion for developing other young players, through coaching, mentoring, and umpiring.
In 2022, her coaching efforts we recognised by her club, the North Cairns Tigers, which named her as Coach of the Year in 2022, after she guided the under 14 team to the finals.
She has represented Peninsula and Cairns at state competitions and could have furthered her own playing aspirations by moving to another local club to play at a higher level, but has remained with the Tigers, putting the development of others ahead of her own.
Ashleigh has also helped to deliver the 'Diamond Spirit' program at Cairns State High School, which uses netball and educational pathways to nurture and support the growth of Indigenous girls.
RECOGNITION AWARD – Anna Jones
President of the Cairns African Association, Anna Jones has supported refugees to feel safe and supported in the community.
A migrant herself, she understands the challenges facing new arrivals and has used that experience to support others.
In 2019 she initiated the Maisha Bora Program, which helps migrants and refugees integrate into a new culture and community through linking them to services, helping them assess services and encourage them to take on volunteer and mentoring roles.
This assisted participants to form networks and friendships, improve their English and literacy skills, and feel involved in the community.
A passionate volunteer, she also provides training and mentoring for young women and adolescents and hopes to inspire these young women to become role models and the leaders of tomorrow.
She believes that women's empowerment works on the premise that when you empower women, you empower the whole community.
