Jess Fatnowna’s dedication recognised with IWD accolade

An indigenous woman who is a mentor for the successful and ever-growing Cairns Hockey Aspire to be Deadly Program has been named the Cairns 2022 Young Woman of the Year.

Jess Fatnowna (pictured second from right) received the award at a sold out International Women’s Day Breakfast at the Hilton Cairns as part of International Women’s Day celebrations.

A woman of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultural heritage, Fatnowna is an advocate for girls of a similar background and aspires to help vulnerable young people find strength and opportunity through sport.

Roles Fatnowna undertakes as part of Cairns Hockey’s Aspire to be Deadly program, a program funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency, include guardian and mentor to vulnerable young girls, driving the Aspire Me mentoring program in four high schools and supervising a Healthy Choices eating program.

She is also a member of Hockey Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Reference Group, which guides development of the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and provides input into the various programs Hockey Australia is undertaking to support Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people.

“My greatest satisfaction is knowing I’m helping young Indigenous females have a happier and safer life,” said Fatnowna.

“The joy I have when I’m with the students I work with brightens up my day each time I see them.

“Growing up being an Indigenous female I never really had a mentor in my life, so I wanted to make sure I was present in someone else’s life.

Through her lived experiences, Fatnowna’s message to young Indigenous women could easily be one for all young women.

“If there is a great opportunity make sure you take it. Be a risk taker, be more present in your life and most importantly believe in yourself,” said Fatnowna.

“Appreciate what you have and be grateful for what you have. Excel in what you can as you only have one life.”

Julie McNeil, CEO of Aspire Cairns Community Limited (a registered charity looking to support disadvantaged youth using sport to provide positive social outcomes), said Fatnowna is at the forefront of the challenge forging equality for young women focusing on young Indigenous women and girls.

“If you were to look for an example of leading the way, strong in spirit and proud in culture, loyal, committed and valued, a role model, leader, and mentor, then Jessica Fatnowna is that example,” said McNeil.

“Jess delivers the Empower Me Program to Indigenous young women and girls and uses education, sport, and recreation activities to drive positive social outcomes and to support generational change through delivering unique programs all designed to ensure Indigenous young women and girls through the Cairns Hockey Aspire to be Deadly LIVE WELL, LEARN WELL and LEAD WELL.”

A keen and gifted hockey player, Fatnowna has also become an international role model and mentor through the Oceania Hockey Federation’s HookIn4Health program supporting gender equality programs across Pacific Island countries.

“Ms Fatnowna has sadly experienced discrimination herself and has dedicated her life to breaking bias and stereotypes on many levels with a level of empathy, strength and determination beyond her years,” said Cairns Mayoress Claire Manning.

“Jess is committed to driving positive social change, driven by the mantra to ‘live well, learn well and lead well’. She is realising her vision to create safe learning spaces where engagement is nurtured, and self-worth and self-belief can grow.”

Hockey Australia congratulates Jess on her award and is proud of everything she and the Cairns Hockey Aspire to be Deadly Program does in making a positive impact on the local Far North Queensland community.