Giving hope to others wins Margot prestigious award

AN incredible effort to aid young women facing abuse in Africa has earned a determined local woman a prestigious Cairns Businesswomen's Club award.

Margot Biggs and h0er charity, Home of Hope Liberia, which was founded in May 2022, has become a beacon of hope for young women, particularly those enduring sexual abuse.

Margot's dedication and impact were celebrated as she received the prestigious Michelle Commins Legacy Award, which recognises women who have volunteered an immense amount of time to their not-forprofit charity.

Margot's journey began when she and her husband moved to Liberia for his work as a pilot.

While living there, she found herself volunteering at a local mission hospital, where she witnessed the horrifying strug-

Nominate excellent businesses for awards

BUSINESSES in the Mareeba Shire that dare to reach for excellence will be recognised at the biennial Mareeba Chamber of Commerce awards to be announced in October.

Nominations are now open for eight award categories including a new one that is aimed at encouraging businesses to take pride in the appearance of their premises and acknowledging those who have revitalised a local business.

“The awards pay homage to the business and individuals who go over and above in their chosen industries and allow us to celebrate the achievements of so many who contribute to our great shire,” chamber president Joe Moro said.

“The reason why it’s so important is basically someone has taken the time to recognise a business for the level of service, innovation and excellence that they do.” gles many women were enduring.

“In the last 12 months of my time in Liberia, I set up a women’s crisis shelter,” she said.

“The need in Liberia is unimaginable. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and there is no welfare system. I saw a need, gathered a team and we filled that need.

“We bring girls off the street and out of poverty. Many are pregnant and abandoned, or with babies already.

“Some come out of prostitution. Many arrive beaten and abused. Most of them have been raped at some point - 75 per cent of Liberian women have been raped.

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“Some of them have already lost babies to starvation and disease. They arrive hungry, sick and depressed.”

Despite relocating back to Atherton, Margot continues to run the organisation remotely, passionately seeking donations to sustain the safety and support offered to these vulnerable women in Liberia.

“Home of Hope is making an immense difference to these young ladies. Some of them would not be alive today if it weren't for Home of Hope taking them in," Margot said.

To support House of Hope's vital mission, visit their website at homeofhopeliberia.com

He said the awards were all about promoting businesses that had shown a “spirit and pride” synonymous with the town’s reputation as a resilient and determined community.

“We want to showcase people who have strived for excellence in service and encourage others to follow in their footsteps,” Mr Moro said.

“The new category this year – Best Revitalised Business – is about recognising those who have put in that extra effort to improve the look and appearance of their business – it might have been a complete makeover or just a coat of paint to modernise and freshen up their business premises.”

The awards seek to honour achievements for established businesses but also to showcase Mareeba’s emerging or new ventures.

The awards also promote volunteers and community groups that help to make the area one of the most liveable in the region through the Community Group/Individual of the Year category.

Other categories are: New Business, Excellence in Retail, Excellence in Service Industry, Best Revitalised Business, Excellence in Tourism, Excellence in Rural/Agriculture, and Excellence in Customer Service.

Initial nominations are now open and close on 7 August, with an additional month allowed after that time to hand in the full nomination.

The winners of the awards, which are sponsored by Mareeba Kids Campus, will be announced at a presentation ceremony to be held on Saturday 28 October.

To nominate a business, go to www.mareebachamber.com.au

The Queensland Government delivers free universal healthcare to ve million Queenslanders through Queensland Health. The Queensland Government is investing a record $25.8 billion into healthcare. Queensland’s 16 Hospital and Health Boards provide governance to their respective Hospital and Health Service (HHS) and are responsible for the delivery of healthcare in their region. The Boards are accountable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women and must perform the functions in accordance with the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 Board members are leaders in their local communities and have the ability to shape the future of health care in their region, whilst enhancing the e cient, e ective and sustainable delivery of health services.

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To be successful in this role, you:

• are ready and able to add value to the Board through your skills, knowledge and experience, including but not limited to, any of the following areas of expertise: health management; business management; nancial management; human resource management; clinical expertise; legal expertise; primary healthcare; health consumer and community engagement; and persons with skills, knowledge and experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and community issues;

• are able to analyse, critically assess and drive performance;

• have the con dence and connections to strengthen community engagement and collaborative partnerships;

• are a leader who thinks strategically, embodies personal integrity, has political astuteness, commercial acumen, resilience and are a team player; and

• are available to travel to the HHS communities if you are located outside the region.

Applications are to be submitted online. To obtain the Applicant Information Pack and instructions on how to submit your application, please visit www.executivequarter.com.au/hhb

These opportunities are remunerated in accordance with Queensland Government guidelines. We strongly encourage First Nations people, women, people with expertise in multiculturalism, young people and people with disabilities to apply. A range of probity checks will be undertaken for persons being considered for appointment.

Applications close midnight, Wednesday 30 August 2023.

Should you wish to receive assistance on submitting your application, please contact Executive Quarter who are facilitating this process on 0497 499 749 or hhb@executivequarter.com.au

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