Seven IGS High School girls had the privilege of attending a powerful International Women’s Day panel at UTS this week, featuring trailblazing Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams alongside distinguished panellists Professor Karen O’Connell, Dr Leila Khanjaninejad, and Jane Fernandez, with Amy Persson as moderator.
Williams, the first Aboriginal goalkeeper for the Matildas and a two-time Olympian, shared her inspiring journey—from her childhood in Kalgoorlie to leading the historic 2015 Matildas strike for equal pay. Her reflections on legacy, resilience and advocacy for women in sport left a lasting impression on the students.
Year 12 student Eva H shared her key takeaway from the discussion:
“Lydia spoke about her parents’ encouragement to pursue her passions because, at the end of the day, it will become part of her legacy. She and her team took a stand for equal pay, and their success has transformed the landscape of women’s sport in Australia. The panel discussion highlighted the ongoing barriers that women face in sports like rugby and surfing, as well as the cultural shift that is still needed. It was an honour to hear from such strong, independent women.” You can read Eva’s full reflections here.
The event underscored the power of sport in driving gender equality, increasing visibility and uniting communities. IGS students left feeling inspired and empowered to advocate for change in their own spheres.