TasTAFE celebrates International Women’s Day 2026

Dr Norman Baker, TasTAFE CEO, and Kath McCann, General Manager Marketing, Public Affairs and Social Impact, Tasmania Football Club.

TasTAFE celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 across the state with events held in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport.

TasTAFE CEO Dr Norman Baker welcomed guests to Hobart’s Drysdale Restaurant on Thursday 5 March and spoke to this year’s IWD theme, ‘Give to Gain.’

“The idea behind the theme is beautifully simple: when we give our support, our time, our resources, our mentorship, our advocacy – we don’t lose anything. We amplify opportunity. We create momentum. We multiply impact,” Dr Baker said.

“Because when women thrive, everyone rises. When leaders give flexibility, women gain opportunity and organisations gain loyalty and brilliance.”

IWD Event guest speaker Kath McCann, General Manager Marketing, Public Affairs and Social Impact with the Tasmania Football Club, said the 2026 IWD theme aligns with her own approach to helping other succeed.

“What drives me [is] seeing the next generation succeed,” Ms McCann said. “As a leader, I think we have a responsibility and an obligation to open doors, and to help, and to usher, and to celebrate others walking through doors.

“We have the responsibility to create opportunities for those around us, and particularly those working under us – and you don't need to be a leader to create opportunity.”

Ms McCann was joined by learners and graduates of the Tasmania Academy of Leadership and Sport (TALS) – a sports industry training program delivered by TasTAFE in collaboration with Tasmania's peak sporting entities.

"TALS was a tremendous success last year, and we've now got 90 students underway [in 2026], including 28 in our Launceston campus.”

Ms McCann spoke of the traits required to be a leader and shared key points about what keeps her positive and motivated.

“The number one thing for me, particularly around influencing change and leadership in Tasmania, is unashamedly relatability. It’s really important in terms of modern leadership.

“You’ve also got to be a hard worker. People will respect the fact that you work hard and deliver quality output.

“And there is one choice that you're in control of every single day. And that's your attitude. Choose your attitude. That's my wisdom. It's not complex,” she said.

Ms McCann’s address was livestreamed to IWD events held for staff at TasTAFE’s Drysdale Restaurants in Devonport and Launceston.

TasTAFE employs 578 women out of a total of 935 employees across executive, senior management, teaching and non-teaching roles – equivalent to 62% of TasTAFE’s workforce.

Top: The Hobart IWD event was held at TasTAFE’s Drysdale Restaurant.
Bottom L–R: Learners and graduates of the Tasmania Academy of Leadership and Sport at the Hobart IWD event; IWD Guest Speaker Kath McCann (far right) during the Q&A session, with TALS graduate, Rachel.