Through a powerful partnership between the City of Greater Dandenong Council and Play Like a Girl Australia, women and girls are being given the chance to rise, with confidence, community, and purpose.
This partnership proudly provides fully funded scholarships to Empowered to Lead, Play Like a Girl’s flagship leadership program. The experience combines mindset training, personal development, leadership tools, and a national network of women in sport, all designed to spark real, lasting change.
At a recent celebration event, Greater Dandenong Council and Play Like a Girl Australia came together to award and recognise the 2025 scholarship recipients:
The event also featured an unforgettable panel of inspiring women, facilitated by Play Like a Girl Founder Holly Bailey, who guided the conversation with:
Caitlin Parker OLY who shared her remarkable journey to the Olympics, becoming the first Australian woman to win an Olympic medal in boxing. Her raw honesty and quiet determination lit up the room as she spoke about resilience, sacrifice, and what it takes to keep showing up, even when the odds are stacked against you.
Dr. Donna Urquhart took us into the extremes, literally. A former elite squash player turned ultra-endurance athlete, Donna recently completed a world-record-breaking multi-day ultramarathon across Antarctica. Her insights into mindset, preparation, and pushing past limits were nothing short of extraordinary.
Hannah Priest, AFLW veteran and captain of St Kilda, rounded out the panel with her experience navigating leadership in elite sport. Hannah spoke openly about growth, setbacks, and the responsibility of leading with authenticity, on the field and beyond it.
Together, these women brought energy, vulnerability, and fierce inspiration. Their stories didn’t just highlight what’s possible, they challenged everyone in the room to aim higher, dig deeper, and lead bolder.
The insights shared during the event set the tone for what was truly a celebration of growth, not just from the panel, but from the women stepping into their own leadership journeys through the Empowered to Lead Program.
Now, just weeks after completing the program, the impact is already clear:
“Play Like a Girl was such a great experience for me, both professionally and personally,” said Melissa Karakasidis.
“Holly was a phenomenal facilitator—warm, insightful, and so skilled at creating a space where real connection and growth can occur. The experience helped me see blind spots I didn’t even know I had and gave me the tools and confidence to own my truth. It reminded me to hold my ground and not always pivot or fold.”
She added, “If you're a woman in sport looking to grow, be challenged, and connect with other inspiring women—this is gold. The networking alone is worth it, but the mindset shift it creates is the real magic.”
Rebecca Tilley shared, “I’m so grateful for this opportunity. The program helped me reflect on myself in ways I hadn’t done before. I’ve walked away feeling more confident, more connected, and more excited for what’s next.”
These life-changing opportunities are made possible thanks to the City of Greater Dandenong Council, who continue to lead the way in supporting women and girls to grow, lead, and thrive—on and off the field.
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