Georgia Weir is the founder of the Deadly Runners, a First Nations certified social enterprise that challenges mob to embrace their inner strength and potential, through running.
With a unique model that includes community running groups, a network of runners attending competitive events, an annual cultural leadership camp, nationally recognised coaching qualifications and employment opportunities in their program.
As part of her Westpac Social Change Fellowship Georgia has left Australia, heading to the USA and Canada.
The purpose of travel to Canada is to meet with Anita Cardinal-Stewart, an Indigenous lawyer, activist and runner.
Ms Cardinal-Stewart has invited Ms Weir to be part of a First Nations relay ultramarathon running team, running the Sinister 7 Ultramarathon through the Rockies in Alberta. Anita too has used running to create change and raise awareness and so Georgia is thrilled to be able to spend time with her.
The next leg, in the USA, sees Ms Weir road tripping with Verna Volka creator of Native Women Run, travelling through her Navajo homelands.
The Westpac Social Change Fellowship is generous with time, skills development opportunities and funding, to invest in social entrepreneurs. The aim is to have these community-based change-makers spend time investing in their skills, leadership capabilities and networks. The Fellowship is developed in such a way as to be tailored to the individual, offering experiential learning opportunities.
The aim is for sustainable positive change in Australia. This is achieved by a focus on the needs of the individual who is driving the initiatives.
The Westpac Program states: "The Fellows receive funding to invest in their professional development not their organisation. That's because we believe in the power of passionate individuals to drive genuine change and aim to build a community of socially responsible leaders who can create a brighter future for all."
Ms Weir said: "From this experience I hope to become more confident in my leadership, especially when it comes to making big decisions and managing complex situations. I want to keep leading in a way that stays true to culture while learning how to scale Deadly Runners in a way that is sustainable and well-structured."
"I'm also really looking forward to building international connections with First Nations women leaders. Having those global relationships with mob who truly understand these spaces will help me grow and also create more opportunities I can bring back to my community," she said.
"I'm keen to explore how other First Nations leaders are building financial sustainability into their work. Finding ways to keep community-led initiatives strong and thriving over the long term, without losing purpose, is something I'm passionate about learning.
"Ultimately, I want to become better at creating more pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to step into leadership roles. Supporting mob to grow, lead, and drive powerful change in their own communities is at the heart of what I do, and I'm excited to deepen that through this experience."
North Queenslanders in particular will know of Ms Weir's father Don Carter Jr who grew up in Townsville and Cairns.
Mr Carter was recruited into the first All Blacks football team in 1973 and like the whole team he was well-loved and remembered in Queensland. However, Don dealt with a difficult family situation all his life. As the child of a US military serviceman and an Aboriginal mother, born during WWII, he struggled to find his place in the world.
For Georgia, running has become a way of dealing with the mixed feelings and emotions that come with a troubled family history. Through pursuing her passion for running she has been able to thrive.
