Point Lonsdale local tells her story I am woman

Andrew Mathieson
GETTING the word out about her story is never a problem for a Point Lonsdale publicity whiz.
But for Kate Engler, this time it’s a little more personal.
The mother of two is one of 18 women that includes Cathy Freeman and Dr Cindy Tan to feature in the inaugural Australian Modern Women’s Anthology.
The book explores the modern woman striking the balance between career, family and friends among the “you can have it all” theme.
Mrs Engler’s contribution for the anthology is about relationships replacing the all work and no play attitude of the past.
“We have gone past the 1980s and 90s ‘me’ generation, where we are all very career focused,” she said.
“I think the balance has come back, the pendulum has swung to a more balanced approach.
“One of the things I say about the great things of the modern woman is not that we can have it all, but that we can find it all in each other.”
She has promoted several charitable causes including World Vision, Starlight Foundation and the Austin Hospital, and is making a living on the professional speaking circuit to educate businesses.
Her message is empowering others to take control of their own destiny.
“I talk about stepping beyond circumstances and really having those challenges in life be character building opportunities rather than things that cripple us,” she says.
Mrs Engler will also pay tribute to her “balcony” supporters in her story.
“When you run a marathon, you see people on balconies with posters and they are cheering, ‘Go, you can do it, we believe in you’,” she says.
“Well, I think we all need those sorts of balcony people in our life.”