On Tuesday 25 February 2025, TKS marked International Women’s Day (IWD) with a special whole-school assembly, bringing together students from Prep to Year 12. This year, IWD falls on Saturday 8 March 2025, with the official theme unveiled by UN Women Australia: ‘March Forward’. The theme celebrates 30 years since the United Nations Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark document aimed at achieving gender equality globally.
As part of TKS’s own celebration of IWD, we were honoured to welcome back Laura Stone, a 2023 TKS graduate and AFLW footballer with the Hawthorn Football Club. Laura, who has made remarkable progress in her sporting career, shared her inspiring journey with our students. A talented midfielder and defender, Laura was named Captain of the Coates Talent League Girls Team of the Year in 2023 and was also named in the U18 All-Australian team. Her rise to elite levels of women’s sport highlights the progress being made in female athletics, even in traditionally male-dominated fields.
In her speech to TKS students and staff, Laura reflected on her personal experiences, emphasising how far women have come in sports and society. She shared:
“When I was younger, I never really thought playing AFL at the highest level was an option for me. Most of the footy I watched was from the AFL men’s competition because, for a long time, that’s all there was and that’s also all I knew. Women’s footy wasn’t on TV, there were no clear pathways, and I didn’t have many female players to look up to. But I loved the game, and I kept playing anyway – just because I enjoyed it.”
Her journey wasn’t without challenges, as Laura faced doubts about her place in the world of elite sports. But, as she shared, perseverance and a supportive community of teammates helped her push past the obstacles.
“There were many times I doubted myself, but I kept going. I backed myself, and I used the negativity to fuel my motivation. When I finally got my opportunity with Hawthorn and was drafted in 2023, it made all the sacrifices worth it.”
Laura’s story exemplifies how important it is to back ourselves and to continue fighting for equality and representation. Whether in sports, business, science, politics or any field, women are breaking boundaries and making a profound impact.
Laura’s experience is a testament to the power of visibility and representation. She spoke about how, just a few years ago, young girls rarely saw women’s football being played on TV or featured in the media. Now, as women’s sports continue to grow in visibility, young girls approach athletes like Laura with awe, inspired by their achievements and dreaming of one day playing in the AFLW.
“This past season, it’s been so clear to me just how much things have changed. Young girls come up to us after games, excited, telling us how much they look up to us and how they dream of playing AFLW one day.”
Laura’s message to the students was clear: don’t wait for permission – back yourself, work hard and chase your dreams, no matter how big they may seem!
As we celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day, the theme ‘March Forward’ serves as a powerful reminder that we must not just reflect on the progress we’ve made, but also take bold, decisive steps toward true gender equality. We must keep showing up, keep pushing boundaries, and continue breaking down barriers for women and girls everywhere.
During the assembly, Laura presented The Knox School with an official Hawthorn football jersey that she generously signed and donated to the school. We were also delighted to capture her next to the TKS Hall of Fame in our gymnasium.
Sports Prefects and Year 12 students Alana Bond and Patrick Whittle had the following to say:
“It’s inspiring to see such strong representation of women in sports from our school community. Having alumni return, especially to connect with our Junior School students, is a fantastic way to inspire the next generation!”
TKS is proud to be part of this ongoing conversation and to honour the contributions of women like Laura, who inspire us all to keep moving forward in the pursuit of equality.
Happy International Women’s Day 2025 – Let’s March Forward Together!
