By Lynette Hayhurst
Jacinta Parsons, a radio broadcaster and writer, sat quietly waiting for the International Women’s Day Event at the newly opened Millers Homestead in Boronia to commence. She then made her way to the podium to speak and the event came alive with her passion, intelligence, wit, and the profound messages she had to share with the small group assembled.
Present was the Knox City Council CEO, Bruce Dobson, Mayor Susan Laukens and Deputy Mayor Nicole Seymour along with an inspiring group of local women invited to share this occasion. All those specially invited were selected because they have served tirelessly and with passion in their local communities in a wide variety of fields. At the end of the speeches, it was a special delight to see every one of those women asked to come forward and receive a personally signed copy of Jacinta Parson’s book ‘Unseen.” Their service often unseen in the community was celebrated openly and honored, they are pillars in our society.
Jacinta had written a book in 2020 titled Unseen, in which she shares her experience in her 20s of a debilitating chronic condition called Crohn’s Disease that changed her life forever. She learned to live with a chronic condition that was invisible to others but powerfully dominated her life. In fact, chronic pain dominates the personal lives of just under half of all Australians. However, the speech she delivered focused not on herself or her book but on the celebration of the many women in our history who have left a powerful legacy in our society. She also highlighted the importance of preserving and celebrating the history of our towns expressing to the audience her special love for Boronia as she had researched it’s history in preparation for her speech.
Jacinta’s speech was well researched reflecting her respect for women past and present and was inspirational, motivational and at times hilarious with her sharp wit and humour ever-present. This is a woman who has suffered the most humbling of experiences suffering excruciating pain, isolation and deep despair in the past. She also shows that we can slowly make our way out of these life-changing experiences and rebuild our core and lives. Then we like Jacinta can take our place in society and make a difference and lead a life that can be an inspiration to others. Deputy Mayor Nicole Seymour acknowledged that, “Jacinta Parsons had courage in sharing her story and being her very authentic and real self today.
“Listening to Jacinta’s personal reflections today, I found her words raw, comforting and uplifting. Jacinta’s ability to weave humour as part of her storytelling enabled her to share unpleasant truths about the institutional norms and stereotypes that disempower women, in a manner that resonated with all in attendance,” she said.
“Particularly relevant was Jacinta’s acknowledgment of the systemic failure to celebrate the many achievements of women in our history, particularly those at the forefront of leadership and who made a significant contribution to their Community. She is absolutely right and we need to do better.”
Mayor Laukens expressed to me with passion, “Our women leaders in Knox are inspirational and are an absolute credit and the backbone of our community. They do things with passion and enthusiasm every day. It was a pleasure to share the occasion with them all.” She encouraged people by saying, “Use your voice, no one can take away your voice.”
The Mayor also expressed what we all thought when she said, “Jacinta had an ability to bring out all the emotions and powerful themes from joy, inspiration, to lack of recognition and that we need to be and do better to highlight and celebrate the women who came before us and the ones here today.”
This was a memorable occasion for so many reasons and we were all very grateful for the opportunity to hear such a powerful speech from an inspirational woman to those in the audience who also are making a real difference in the lives of those they touch each day. It was a privilege to be present and see the honour and respect shown to the women in our community who deserve our respect and recognition for their passionate service in our local communities.
