Brisbane dad’s group, Fathers of Girls, are uniting to support their daughters and young women across Queensland through advocacy and fundraising as part of their ambitious plan to grow opportunities for young women.
Fathers of Girls cofounders Luke Whistler and Sean Lowry, both have four daughters and founded the organisation to champion a pathway for their daughters and other young women; while providing dads with an opportunity to share the experience of navigating life with daughters and shine a light on the modern father of only girls.
This year, the Fathers of Girls Annual Luncheon will be held on Saturday, 23 October in partnership with The Confident Girls Foundation and proceeds to be directed to Netball Queensland’s Diamond Spirit Program.
Father of Girls co-founder and father of four girls aged 4 to 13 years, Luke Whistler said the annual luncheon fundraiser was about raising money to help vulnerable girls find a sense of community, opportunity and safety – something we all want for our daughters.
“We recognise that young girls face challenges and encounter bias early in their lives so, through our fundraisers and with our daughters as inspiration, we want to help other young women hit the start line running and achieve anything they can dream, Mr Whistler said.”
“This year, Netball Queensland’s Diamond Spirit Program has been selected as our benefactor – through netball, this program provides opportunities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls in rural and remote communities.”
“It’s also really important, as dads who are raising young women and girls, that we have an anchor point to share our experiences and to grow young women who are confident to achieve whatever they can dream – that’s what Fathers of Girls means to us.
Flagged by guest presenter and award-winning author Madonna King, presenting her book “Ten-ager’, the Fathers of Girls fundraiser aims to raise $12,500 with the support of the Confident Girls Foundation.
Vicki Gillespie, Director of the Confident Girls Foundation said the foundation was proud to again partner with Fathers of Girls.
“The work Fathers of Girls does goes a long way to helping us achieve our goal of providing opportunities for equality to girls in social disadvantage or isolation”, Ms Gillespie said.
“Fathers of Girls are helping to raise funds for girls in need and also teaching their daughters about the power of helping others – the ripple effect for both groups of young women is huge and we can’t wait to see the impact this has on the next generation.”
Diamond Spirit is Netball Queensland’s flagship program that uses netball as a vehicle to engage, empower and educate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls across Queensland.
Catherine Clark, Netball Queensland CEO said she was resoundingly proud of the Diamond Spirit program and that since its inception in 2017 hundreds of young women and girls across Queensland have had an opportunity to be engaged, feel empowered and pursue educational opportunities.
“We recognise that opportunities provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in remote and rural communities across Queensland can have a life defining effect on self-esteem, finding place, fostering cultural pride and pursuing sporting activities. For us, this is about helping ensure our young women and girls feel empowered, continue to engage and have access to opportunities”, Ms Clark said.
“We’re also resoundingly proud of the dads who step up every day for their daughters both in their lives and courtside as umpires, coaches, supporters of our beloved game, netball. We encourage as many dads as possible to attend the luncheon and would like to thank Fathers of Girls – it’s great to see our dads stepping up for our girls.
Individual tickets start at $125 so, rally your mates for a great cause – mates tables or corporate tables start at $1,200. Or, you can buy a ticket in the raffle with the major prize a magnificent diamond pendant courtesy of Diamond Hunters.
All proceeds go directly to the Diamond Spirit Program.
WHAT – Father of Girls annual charity luncheon
WHEN – 12.30pm Saturday, 23 October 2021
WHERE – The Port Office Hotel (40 Edward St, Brisbane City QLD)
TICKETS: https://fathersofgirls.org/buy-event-tickets
