Change Makers throw up their graduation caps

Members of the community, as well as attendees from the leadership team of SEED’s overarching organisation, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, packed the hub in a show of support and celebration.

Five of the seven graduates were present on the day, displaying the confidence they had built throughout the program by delivering speeches.

A range of different topics were covered by the inspired women, from public transport concerns to mental health support.

Tamara Rhodes led the proceedings by providing an entertaining, yet vulnerable, account of motherhood and mental health, saying The SEED Project had enabled her to navigate challenges she once thought impossible.

“What really hit me was how the world treats women who are struggling,” Ms Rhodes said.

“Just because my plate is full doesn’t mean I have to eat everything on it.

“For so long, I believed that if something was on my plate — a responsibility, a task — it had to be done no matter what the cost.

“SEED helped me to see that it’s okay to say no, it’s okay to rest, it’s okay to leave something on the plate and walk away and, most of all, it’s okay to put myself back on my own list of priorities.”

The six-week Change Makers course acts as a way for women who may be struggling with what life throws at them to get a handle on a number of aspects of life.

Each week, a new facet of life is covered, with units on topics such as advocacy and politics, resilience and boundaries and public speaking.

SEED Project acting project manager Sam Hugill, who presented much of the graduation ceremony, said it was always wonderful to see how the women progressed over the six weeks.

“At its heart, it’s a leadership program, but trust us, it’s so much more than that,” Ms Hugill said.

“It brings to light opportunities for SEED members to really find and use their voice.

“It’s a bit of a journey we go on together and now we want to share it with you.”