Honestly Woman Issue 3: June 2017 | Page 42

Team Tassie: Justine Barrett (L) and Karen Alexander Some months on and I am still excited – but also scared! Eek! I feel like I will be a little out of my depth on the ship with a large bunch of super-intelligent women. I am a country girl complete with a bogan accent – not your average scientist. But, I do love science and I will shout it from the rooftops. All the better if those rooftops are in Antarctica with HOW YOU CAN HELP The cost for each participant on the Homeward Bound journey is quite significant, at close to $25,000 AUD. Justine has teamed up with Tasmania’s only other participant, Karen Alexander, and together they are Team Tassie, raising not only the funds they require, but awareness for this incredible program to advance women in science. For those who are able to help them realise this dream, they have a crowdfunding page - no donation goes unrewarded. https://www.gofundme.com/team- tassie-homeward-bound. You can also find them on Facebook if you would like to follow their journey: www.facebook.com/TeamTassieHB 42 a bunch of other women with the same passions. I am really excited to meet the other participants, to feel motivated and inspired by them, and to brainstorm ideas together. I was not wrong about being too busy to fit this into my already overloaded schedule, but some things are worth being busy for. I have three young daughters and I want to show them that they can make a positive change in this world. It only takes one person, one idea, one dream, one step to create the ripple. I am currently doing my Masters Degree in Antarctic and Marine Science at the University of Tasmania, while my husband is doing an engineering degree – we have a crazy life at times – and I am an experienced science educator teaching science to kindergarten children through to tertiary students, through engaging and practical activities. Previously I have worked as a science technician in the food, water, power generation and tertiary education industries. We all have so much potential – we just need to learn how to recognise it and put it to good use. I hope that on board the ship in Antarctica I will tap further into my potential and learn what to do with it. Homeward Bound really is a once- in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I plan on grabbing it with both hands. I truly believe that if we all looked after our planet like we look after our children, our global future would be looking much brighter. H O N E S T LY W O M A N M A G A Z I N E - S U B S C R I B E N O W