Motorsport Australia has locked in a number of leading female senior officials to play a key role in its new Queensland based Women’s Officiating Development Program.
 
The aim of the program is to provide opportunities to 10 female club officials in Queensland and help them progress from club level officiating to working at state level and higher.
 
Part of the program will see these 10 selected women paired up with a suitable senior official who will help mentor them to move up the official ranks.

Interested participants can enter the programs with applications to be accepted until 27 May. 

Click here to apply for the program.

With the program to kick off next month via an introductory Zoom meeting, the women to have joined the program as mentors/panellists each boast an impressive resume within the sport. 

Hosted by Supercars Digital Content Producer and Girls on Track Champion, Charlie Bullis. 

“I am honoured to be hosting the online mentoring event, introducing Queensland Women’s Officiating Development Program for Motorsport Australia,” Bullis said.

“Starting out my own motorsport career as a volunteer official, I am very passionate about developing and attracting the next generation of talent to the sport.

“To have programs like this to support more women to progress in their motorsport careers is such an exciting opportunity and will open the door for so many amazing women to join us.”



Joining Bullis in the program will be a host of notable names from the community of volunteer officials, including Toyota 86 Series Race Director and Girls on Track Ambassador Jessica Nicholson.

Nicholson herself has enjoyed a rise through the ranks throughout her career, which took a major step forward in 2020 when she was appointed as Deputy Race Director for the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship, becoming one of the first women to ever hold a senior role for a national category. 

“I feel it's extremely important to have these types of programs and Queensland is very fortunate to be provided with it,” Nicholson added.

“I know the other states are hoping a program like this opens up for them. 

“These programs assist with understanding the process of succession in the sport and how to go about it but also opens up a network of people that can support and help you get there.”

Nicholson won’t be the other high profile national category official committed with Queensland locals Karyn Lun and Susie Brook also getting behind the program.

Like Nicholson and Bullis, Lun has extensive experience on the national stage with Supercars events, having acted as the Chief Medical Officer for Townsville Supercars events in previous years. 

A Senior Specialist Medical Official, Lun volunteers her professional qualifications at all levels of motorsport, from grassroots all the way through to the pinnacle of Australian motorsport. 

As a Queenslander, the recently appointed Girls on Track Champion was thrilled with the State Government’s decision to support the program. 

“I am excited that Queensland female officials will have this chance to gain insight into broader roles within motorsport,” Lun explained. 
 
“It is wonderful that the Queensland government has recognised this valuable opportunity to support women in motorsport.
 
“I hope that future leaders will be engaged and inspired to develop their skills and further their experience, and that we can offer credible options for development and progression.”


As for Brook, she is just as practiced in motorsport, with the senior official holding Gold Circuit and Silver Comms licences, as well as being a member of the Qld State Officiating Panel.

Although committed to the program, Brook’s involvement as a mentor will be based on matching a compatible mentee looking to learn in the same areas of expertise.

Next month’s Zoom event will consist of a Q&A session and group discussions where participants will be encouraged to share what they hope to achieve from the program.
  
The program will continue throughout the remainder of the year, as each individual mentor will provide assistance to the mentee as they work together at various events.

With applications closing on 27 May, all successful applications with be informed on their position in the Women’s Officiating Development Program by 3 June ahead of the Zoom event held on 7 June.