The theme for International Women’s Day this Saturday, March 8, is ‘March Forward: For All Women and Girls’ to ‘accelerate action.’ Ambulance Victoria’s (AV) Marnie Umbers is dedicated to the cause.
As AV’s Senior Manager of Media, Marnie is also President of the Peninsula Belles Branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA), a recent Master of Business Administration (MBA)-graduate and proud mum to a 10-year-old daughter.
Marnie is about to embark on one of her biggest adventures yet, hiking 50 kilometres through New Zealand’s southern alps as part of the United Nations Women Australia’s Trek for Rights.
The journey is to make a difference around the globe, raising vital funds to support UN Women, in partnership with local women’s organisations, to provide critical services, hope and a lifeline to women and girls in war-torn countries and communities affected by natural disasters.
“I’m very passionate about supporting women and children and families,” Marnie said.
“It’s going to be a really great experience hiking with 18 people, predominantly women, who are all hiking in support of the same cause,” Ms Umbers said.
Marnie and her partner Daniel, who is also participating in the trek, have so far raised more than $8,500.
But it isn’t the only way Marnie is making a difference – she’s also impacting communities closer to home.
“I joined the CWA 11 years ago when I was searching for something that focused on women in leadership and empowerment and building resilient communities,” she said.
Marnie was the Founding President of the Peninsula Belles Branch of the CWA, has held the position of Group President for the Mornington Peninsula, and has her eye on a state level leadership role in the coming years.
“The CWA is constantly evolving and after almost 100 years, it continues to be a trusted voice in Victoria and right across Australia,” she said.
“We’ve done everything from advocate for white lines on the edges of country highways, for maternal health centres, right through to marriage equality and equitable prices for dairy farmers.
“I think if we can always keep the ethos of Lady Mitchell and Lady Somers who brought the CWA to Victoria, which was to use their position of privilege to help people less fortunate than them, then the CWA will always be relevant.”
Last year, Marnie completed an MBA to build on her leadership skills, applicable both at the CWA and AV.
It’s important to her that there are women in leadership positions across all organisations, to advocate for other women and bring different viewpoints to the table.
“It’s really important to have a balance in leadership roles, because people of different genders bring a different take and a different set of experiences,” Marnie said.
“I recall a time where I had someone ask me what was going to happen to my daughter if I applied for a more senior role.
“I was taken aback because I thought, would you have asked a man that question?
“Really, it’s important to have representation of women at all levels throughout society.
“We only have to look at something like cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) manikins to see that the majority of them are male and it can mean even people who have done CPR training are hesitant to give CPR if they’re faced with a woman’s body in an emergency.”
Marnie was drawn to AV because she was inspired by the work of Victoria’s paramedics and first responders and believed she could make an impact.
“We work with some absolutely amazing people who do things I could never imagine doing,” she said.
“The lives they save, the impact they have in people’s darkest and most challenging times can’t be underestimated.
“The level of clinical excellence that I get to see and promote, that’s what keeps me here.”
Marnie said now, a lot of her motivation is to be a positive role model for her daughter.
“I hope the work I’m doing and the impact I’m having will show her that she can achieve anything if she puts her mind to it and works hard – anything is possible.”
Visit UN Women Australia to learn more about Marnie’s upcoming trek or to donate.
