After 17 years in state politics, former Queensland premier Anna Bligh knows all too well that when you get back up after being knocked down, there will be someone or something ready to knock you down again.
The third female premier in Australia and the first to take the position in Queensland, Bligh fought and won the 2009 state election, led the state through the devastating 2011 floods and retired from politics following electoral defeat in 2012. She faced a more personal battle in 2013 when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Following months of treatment she recently took the helm of the YWCA in NSW, an organisation seeking to help Australians facing difficult challenges of their own including the homeless and victims of family violence.
“Coming from the tumultuous world of politics, I know how hard it is to keep going, to push through the difficult times and dust yourself off and get back up; only to face another stumbling block or someone else telling you, ‘You can’t do it’,” Bligh tells Women’s Agenda.
“It takes resilience to keep going and achieve your goals and that resilience is something that we strive to instil in every young person we work with at YWCA NSW.”
Bligh started with the YWCA in January after moving to Sydney more than a year ago, initially to support her husband Greg’s career. She revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer in June 2013 and later told the Australian Women’s Weekly the news was challenging and “not something I took in my stride. I was knocked for six.”
Next month Bligh will share what she knows about resilience at the NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards luncheon, and says she looks forward to hearing how other women have overcome the obstacles that have come their way.
“I’m honoured to be a part of the NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards. Recognising the achievements of women and acknowledging the journey – the ups and downs – is something I’m very passionate about”.
“I congratulate every woman who has made the short list for the awards and every person who took the time to nominate someone they thought deserved recognition for their achievements. I am very much looking forward to meeting the finalists and hearing their stories of resilience and success.”
Want to hear from Anna Bligh and celebrate the men and women who help women achieve? Get your tickets to the NAB Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards.