International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is recognised globally on 8 March each year. Led internationally by organisations such as UN Women, it is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, while also recognising that gender equality has not yet been achieved.
International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a call to action. It invites us to acknowledge the progress that has been made, to listen to the experiences of women in our workplaces and communities, and to consider how we can each contribute to a more equitable future.
At Challenge Community Services, we see the impact of women’s leadership, compassion, and expertise every day. Across disability support, foster care and allied health, women play a vital role in strengthening families, advocating for inclusion and creating opportunities for the people we support to thrive.
This International Women’s Day, we are proud to shine a spotlight on just a few of the incredible women within our organisation who go above and beyond in their roles and in their local communities. While we cannot capture every story, we hope these highlights reflect the dedication, resilience and generosity that so many women bring to our organisation and to the communities we serve.
Christina Jones – Program Leader, Community Supports
Based in Gunnedah, Chris has been a dedicated member of the team for over 8 years, supporting people with disability to build independence, confidence and connection within their community. A skilled and compassionate support professional, she also leads a team of staff and is a highly valued member of our Community Supports leadership group.
Beyond her day-to-day role, Chris is the driving force behind our annual Gunnedah Swimming Carnival, where her passion for swimming and her commitment to inclusion come together. Each year, she invests countless hours coordinating races, liaising with families and staff, and ensuring every detail runs smoothly.
Her leadership helps create an event that is not only well organised, but genuinely empowering, giving participants the opportunity to challenge themselves, celebrate their achievements, and experience the joy of being part of something bigger.
Treena Stock – Customer Engagement Manager
As our dedicated and enthusiastic Customer Engagement Manager, Treena works across much of our service delivery footprint, travelling far and wide to support people to find the right home and the right housemates. Her ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships, while keeping the needs and goals of each participant front and centre, makes her exceptionally well suited to the role. If you have attended a community event or expo recently, you may already recognise her friendly and welcoming face representing Challenge Community Services.
Treena brings extensive experience in the disability services sector, paired with a genuine passion for people. She is a strong advocate for person-centred support, ensuring every decision reflects the individual’s preferences, strengths, and aspirations. There is no typical day in Treena’s world, but she approaches each new challenge with energy, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for every participant.
Alice Ikart – Client Services Manager
Alice has devoted more than 15 years to supporting customers in Muswellbrook, building strong and trusted relationships with the people she supports, their families and the wider community. Her long-standing commitment has left a lasting impression on everyone who has had the privilege of working alongside her. Seeing clients develop new skills, achieve personal goals and live life on their own terms continues to fuel her passion for empowering those around her.
Alice brings warmth, positivity, and genuine kindness to everything she does. These qualities not only make her an outstanding member of our leadership team, but also a deeply valued contributor to her local community. She leads by example, mentoring and encouraging her team while always keeping the needs and aspirations of the people we support at the centre of every decision.
We are proud to see the lasting impact she creates for the people she supports, her colleagues and the broader Muswellbrook community. This International Women’s Day, we are delighted to celebrate Alice and the dedication, compassion and leadership she brings to our organisation each and every day.
Lily Pickles – Caseworker
Lily works with our foster care casework team in Albury and is incredibly dedicated to supporting children and young people in out-of-home care. She joined our organisation in 2021 in an administration support role and quickly discovered her passion and desire to do more.
Lily is a tireless advocate for foster care and the positive outcomes it can provide to vulnerable children. As part of her work with Challenge Community Services, Lily works within the Albury community to raise awareness of the need for foster carers while also ensuring the families on her caseload are supported with everything they need.
Lily is a shining example of someone who radiates compassion and community spirit, and we’re proud to have her as part of our team.
Amy Bartlett – Psychologist
As a valued member of our allied health team and a qualified psychologist, Amy supports people in Tamworth to strengthen their mental health and overall wellbeing. She is passionate about helping individuals better understand how their minds work, develop practical strategies, and build systems that support them to achieve their goals and flourish. We are especially proud of her work in the neurodiversity space, where her advocacy and clinical insight make a meaningful difference.
Amy’s commitment is also deeply personal. As a woman with ADHD, she brings lived experience alongside professional expertise. She is dedicated to increasing understanding of neurodiversity among clients, colleagues and other professionals, helping to challenge stigma and promote more inclusive, supportive environments for neurodivergent people to learn and work in.
Our team benefited from this perspective during ADHD Awareness Month, when Amy spoke candidly at an internal presentation about her experiences navigating relationships, career and study as an ADHD woman. Her openness, leadership and willingness to share her story continue to inspire those around her and strengthen the support we provide to our communities.
We deeply value Amy’s passion for advocacy and the courage she shows in sharing both her professional expertise and lived experience. This International Women’s Day, we are proud to celebrate her leadership, her authenticity and the lasting impact she continues to make in the lives of the people she supports.
International Women’s Day is an opportunity to pause and recognise the extraordinary contributions women make in every corner of our organisation and our communities. While we have highlighted just a few stories, they represent the dedication, expertise and compassion demonstrated by so many women across Challenge Community Services each day.
We thank them for their leadership, their advocacy and their unwavering commitment to the people we support, and we are proud to celebrate them this International Women’s Day.
