My name is Ann-Marie Hermans, your new Liberal Member for the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region. I’ve had many strong women who championed my life-choices, worldview and self-worth.
My grandmothers were strong-willed, opinionated, and adventurous, and migrated from New Zealand and Sri Lanka. They lived in the South-East and passed away when they were about 100 years old. They worked hard, spoke their mind, valued their family and were Australian migrants.
My parents are migrants too. My mother arrived in Melbourne when she was 12 years old. She achieved a government Select Entry education which encouraged women to study, develop careers and embrace new opportunities. Qualifying as a teacher, she travelled overseas to work when she was 22. She returned to Melbourne in the early 60s and studied to become a speech pathologist.
In her spare time, with the support of my father, who always encouraged her to succeed, Mum found a way to serve on boards and committees, help individuals, organisations, young people, and families, and constantly upskilled and tried new things. Mum is a force of nature: She completed her master’s degree in her 70s, and in May will celebrate 60 years of marriage. Mum also had a successful career at a time when men were given more promotions and paid more than women. As a young adult, Mum believed she had to work twice as hard and be twice as smart as any man, to be considered an equal in the workforce.
My mum worked hard and was ahead of her time. She taught me to not be intimidated by male-dominated workplaces, to value positive outcomes for people more than recognition, to work hard, study, be courageous and tenacious.
Like my mother, I’ve served many groups, am educated, a teacher, and worked as a volunteer in Asia and South-East Africa. Unlike my mum, I chose to be at home with my four children in their early years, so I could see them take their first steps and speak their first words.
I have many hard-earned degrees, including two master’s degrees. I can still remember the painful nights of studying when the children were asleep, after a hard day at work. I’m so thankful for every school lunch my husband helped pack. He kept things functional in our home when I ran out of steam, and I am thankful. In April we will celebrate 28 years of marriage.
Some of my tips for working mums are:
· Teach your children to be friends with each other, not competitors.
· Give your children (and husband) lots of praise, patience and quality attention.
· Give each of your children their own colour towel in the bathroom.
· Teach your children how to use the washing machine by age 12.
· Help each child learn to cook their chosen signature dinner-dish once a week.
· Love your partner, children, God and self.
· Be the example you want your children to follow.
Like me, my four children are educated. My girls believe in the power of education to transform lives. I am also thankful they know how to speak up about things like giving consent (or not), reporting abuse, and standing up for justice, personal dignity, and respect.
This International Women’s Day, I want to encourage the women in the South-East to go for their dreams and to dream big. Enjoy womanhood. Love family. Embrace your opportunities, your children, your partner, your home, each moment. Live intentionally because you never know what tomorrow will bring. Smell the roses. Watch the sunsets. Get educated, learn something new and find people who will champion and respect you.
Please know that I am here to advocate for you in parliament and wish you every success!
