This article was originally published in print in the Swan Hill Guardian on March 6, 2020.
SCHOOL principal, sportswoman, mother and wife, Melanie Wait holds many different roles as a woman.
She said any woman in a leadership role has to “prove themselves”, especially to corporate males.
Ms Wait has been the school principal at Tooleybuc Central School for the past 11 years, a role she took up when she was 29.
“Especially in the principal world, a young age for female or male, I really had to work hard to prove that I was worthy of the role,” she said.
Ms Wait said she was given opportunities by her leaders that others were surprised with, giving her credibility in her role.
Also a former student at the school, Ms Wait commenced her role at the school as a head teacher, working up to head teacher then principal.
She also taught at a school in Manangatang for six weeks.
In the sporting world, Ms Wait has been a netball player for 25 years, playing as a senior from age 15.
She currently plays for Tooleybuc Manangatang Football Netball Club and has also coached the netball team.
“Netball’s a great challenge, and I think being good at any sport is a really good thing, but you’re open to criticism all the time,” she said.
“I think that’s where mental toughness is really important.”
Ms Wait said although there was a “huge inequity” in the sporting world, there was headway being made in women’s sport.
“I think women are being recognised for the effort,” she said.
Ms Wait said she was passionate about this year’s International Women’s Day theme “especially for female and male children in rural education trying to let them know that they can do anything”.
Lillian Altman 