2024 International Women鈥檚 Day Assembly 鈥� Campaign Theme 鈥業nspire Inclusion鈥�
On Thursday 7 March, the College community celebrated International Women鈥檚 Day (IWD) at our Years 5-12 College assembly where we were joined by former world number four tennis player, Jelena Dokic.
Booked around a year ago, Jelena鈥檚 visit to 成人综合网 was long-anticipated. Student leaders from St Clare鈥檚 College and St Catherine鈥檚 School attended this special live-streamed assembly in our gymnasium, which College Vice-Captain Ricardo Zanapalis led with grace and confidence.
Although Jelena Dokic is a household name to most generations of Australians, our student audience did not grow up 鈥榢nowing鈥� her, and so a video clip of her now legendary achievements on the tennis court came to life on our large screens, which provided context and enjoyment for us all.
Making the semi-finals of Wimbledon at 17 and being a doubles Grand Slam finalist at 18 are sporting highlights which remain etched in the memories of many, however Jelena鈥檚 success was shadowed by darker elements, trauma and abuse.
With skill and sensitivity, Ricardo bonded with Jelena, creating a safe environment for her to express her vulnerability in a compelling Q&A session. She responded to our questions openly, and revealed the extreme expectations of her to win tournaments in a very high-pressure situation. A refugee at eight and 11, sometimes with not enough food, no English, bullied at school and in the tennis community, she loved Australia and exhorted our students to 鈥渒eep going and never give up. This can take you far.鈥�
But Jelena spoke less of her adversity and spoke more about the ways she chose to respond to it. She told us that she could not have survived without finding her voice, speaking up and sharing her story. That she had to reinvent herself and was proud of coming out the other end. Talking about her PTSD, trauma, depression, abuse and anxiety, she explained, 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want it to define me 鈥� it almost cost me my life. I didn鈥檛 want it to define my future.鈥�
Jelena couldn鈥檛 play tennis after age 29 and went on to build a life where she is now also known globally as an author, commentator, broadcaster and thriver. Writing is a passion and her two best-selling books, autobiography Unbreakable (2017) and Fearless (2023), are testaments to her strength. Her autobiography took 13-15 months of hard work and was draining mentally, but cathartic, because she believes in vulnerability.
Q: How did you find the process of putting your life on paper while writing your two books?
鈥淢y two books are my legacy. The books have helped me to thrive. The day my book came out was the best day of my life.鈥�
She believes that her autobiography garnered such a positive public response because she talked about things that people don鈥檛 want to talk about.
鈥淓ach time I speak, it helps me forward on my healing journey.鈥�
Q: Did you encounter double standards in the way male and female athletes were treated during your tennis years?
鈥淭here has to be an equal amount of respect and opportunities whether you鈥檙e a man or a woman 鈥� we鈥檝e come a very long way. I am a massive believer in kindness 鈥� we need to look after girls as well. Kindness saves lives 鈥� 99% of coaches are still male in tennis.鈥�
Q: You are an example of adversity, courage and unwavering resilience. If you could leave us with one piece of advice or a thought, what would it be?
- 听 Believe in yourself and your capabilities
- 听 Embrace vulnerability
- 听 Have purpose and meaning.
Q: Where was your favourite place to play on the circuit?
鈥淢elbourne, Rod Laver Arena 鈥� it鈥檚 one of a kind. New York and Rome are other favourites.鈥�
Q: Do you still play tennis non-competitively?
鈥淵es, it鈥檚 good to go out there and have fun. I don鈥檛 do it a lot, as 11 months of the year I am doing books, commentating and speaking.鈥�
Jelena remains goal-oriented and when speaking of her future she is excited that there are two more books planned, including a children鈥檚 book. She said that she鈥檇 like to do more commentary around 鈥榮peaking up鈥� and standing up for herself and her beliefs, being her best self, and continuing to work hard and be disciplined.
Her advice in helping to work towards equality?
- 听 Be kind
- 听 No abuse
- 听 No bullying
- 听 Don鈥檛 do things to others that you wouldn鈥檛 like done to yourself
- 听 Have a good heart
- 听 Be a good person
- 听 Have good core values
- 听 Be resilient and never give up
- 听 Find your goals and passions and work hard
- 听 Don鈥檛 ever give up on yourself.
Jelena farewelled our assembly, commenting that we were 鈥渢he quietest 1,500 people ever!鈥� Copies of her two signed books are now in our library for students.
Mr James Horrocks (Head of Student Wellbeing) was invited to the lectern to conclude the assembly, then Jelena headed to our IWD lunch in the Performing Arts Centre with our College Leadership Team, student leaders from 成人综合网, St Clare鈥檚, St Catherine鈥檚, and students involved in the Q&A session.
As a community, we feel privileged to have met Jelena Dokic, a living testament to the human spirit’s resilience. Collectively, let’s strive to forge a more inclusive world for women everywhere, not only on International Women’s Day but every day.
Thank you, Jelena.
听
Ms Gabby Smith
Deputy Principal 鈥� Students
gsmith@waverley.nsw.edu.au
