May Doncon - Inspirational Women of Durack

❤️ A Durack International Women’s Day initiative to celebrate and promote inspiring Durack women ❤️

⭐ May has worked in the crucial and ever-growing mental health sector for over 20 years. Now the proud manager of headspace Geraldton, May has been an early intervention worker, a social worker with WA Country Health Service and a manager of mental health programs with WA Centre for Rural Health and 360 Health. May is a proud advocate for women’s rights internationally and arrived in Australia as a child after spending time as a refugee after her family fled their home country of Iran. May is also a volunteer firefighter at Cape Burney Brigade and is passionate about fitness and health, with martial arts being just one of her varied interests.  I applaud the work that May does in developing mental health and community development programs and am so pleased to have her spearheading the Geraldton headspace centre. As May has said herself, she is passionate about the delivery of high-quality health care to rural, remote and regional areas of Australia ⭐

An interview with May

What advice would you give to your younger self, considering the unique challenges that women often encounter in leadership roles?

You are stronger and more resilient than you think. Trust in yourself and believe inyour abilities. Challenges will come and go but you will overcome them with time, perseverance and patience.

Who are the role models that have inspired you?

The people who have inspired me the most are not famous or in the public life but every day people who have overcome adverse life circumstances, demonstrated courage in difficult situations and have used their experiences to help others. I’m also inspired by community volunteers who give so much of their time and personal resources to local community organisations

What word/s describe your leadership style?

Supportive and empowering. People can only grow and improve with encouragement, support and opportunities.

What words of inspiration can you share with women in regional, rural and remote Western Australia?

Never underestimate your power to create positive change in your life and your community.

We thank you May, for what you achieve for your community and regional, rural and remote Durack 💙