Accomplished business leader and chartered accountant, Ms Susan Rix AM, spoke about being the first female graduate hired by BDO at the 2nd Annual International Women’s Day breakfast at St John’s College, within The University of Queensland.

At the breakfast, The University of Queensland President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Terry AO, UQ Deputy Provost Professor Tim Dunne, alumni, students and friends of St John’s College heard Ms Rix speak about how, despite her impressive credentials, her gender often led to her being mistaken for an assistant during her four-decade career.

As the first female partner at the firm, Ms Rix AM was still being asked to unjam photocopiers, a task she performed ably and with good humour.

In her speech, Ms Susan Rix AM, emphasised the importance of being a team member and the potential significance of those contributions:

“You may be asked to do tasks that you think you are ill-equipped to do, and that you feel are not suitable to your skill set. However, skills are all about experiences. And you never quite know where or when an opportunity might arise to add value to your workplace or be part of something else that leads you to a new experience.

St John’s College Warden, Mrs Rose Alwyn, addressed the need for women to stand up to abuse, in the workplace and society, and encouraged others to do the same.

Mrs Alwyn said:

“We have seen so many examples in the past, and recently, of women taking back power, and they continue to inspire us.”

“Just yesterday, a new coalition of powerful and inspirational women, including Grace Tame, Brittany Higgins, Julia Banks, Christine Holgate, Wendy McCarthy, Lucy Turnbull and Larissa Behrendt, to name a few, came together to launch Safety. Respect. Equity, a campaign asking leaders for meaningful change regarding the safety and treatment of women - to take back power and make women’s lives safer.”