The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) has celebrated the graduation of nine Indigenous women from the sixth Torres Strait Women’s Leadership Programme at a recent ceremony on Thursday Island.

Delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF), the Torres Strait Women’s Leadership Program involves three stages with sessions held in Cairns and Canberra before concluding on Thursday Island.

The leadership training program is an annual initiative provided by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) to equip women in the region with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support their career aspirations and in order to the benefit their community.

It is designed to challenge the women in a safe learning environment and equip them with the skills and confidence to engage in politics and governance and improving leadership practices.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Thursday Island Boat Club on Wednesday 30 October to celebrate the completion of the 2019 TSWLP, which commenced in August of this year.

TSRA Chairperson, Mr Napau Pedro Stephen AM, said the program has had great success within the Torres Strait community since its establishment in 2014.

“Over the past six years the TSRA has sponsored more than 50 Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal women in the region to participate in the Women’s Leadership program as a career and leadership development pathway,” Mr Stephen said.

“Every year the Torres Strait Women’s Leadership Program sees a committed group of candidates completing the program and showing their determination as they strive to become successful leaders for our region.

“The success of the programme is evident through individual’s engagement in leadership roles in their chosen careers and even nominating themselves for local elections.”

Applications for the TSWLP will open in 2020.