A guest post by Maggie Fitzgerald, BSSC Student, 2025
The Energy Breakthrough has always been built on the values of Learning, Innovation, Integrity, Inclusion, Collaboration, Community, Leadership, Responsibility, Commitment and Respect.
These values guide a program that gives young people hands-on opportunities in engineering, teamwork, design and endurance racing. According to the Energy Breakthrough Maryborough website, a major aim of EB is to “provide an opportunity for women and girls to participate in what has traditionally been a ‘male’ dominated area of the curriculum”.
While representation is improving, many girls still face uncertainty, lack confidence, or feel like technical or endurance based activities are not meant for them.
Schools play a key role in addressing this, providing guidance, resources, mentorship, and inclusive environments that help girls step confidently into EB.
My own experience reflects this. I joined EB in Year 7 at Weeroona College Bendigo after watching my brother race and instantly wanting to be involved. I loved the mix of teamwork, problem-solving and the buzz of race week. But even then, I could see how few girls were around me, however instead of discouraging me, it pushed me to stay involved. I wanted to show that girls do belong here. In Years 9 and 10, I was one of the only girls in the EB elective. I raced in Weeroona’s first all-female HPV team, which was one of only a few teams of its kind at the time.
At Weeroona, I received invaluable support from the EB leader Jack McIntosh, whose guidance and encouragement helped me develop technical skills and believe in my ability to lead. The school provided support through dedicated electives, mentoring, and encouragement to take on leadership roles, which helped me grow both my skills and confidence.
Later, at Bendigo Senior Secondary College, I joined the school’s all-female hybrid team, which was and still is the only team in the all-female pedal/electric class. Being part of this team reinforced the importance of representation and the value of working alongside others who share similar goals, showing how support from teammates can build confidence and inspire one another.
Many girls who are new to EB start with the same hesitation. Year 10 student Emanuella Ricciuti from Weeroona College Bendigo remembers feeling nervous when joining the Energy Breakthrough Team. At the beginning of the year, she had no experience in 3D printing, yet she has now designed and printed a battery holder that Weeroona uses in all three trikes. The encouragement she received from her teachers gave her the confidence to experiment, take risks, and succeed, showing how programs like EB can support girls in STEM and pave the way for future careers in engineering and technology.
Pictured are left-to-right Willow, Amber and Brooke.Pictured are left-to-right Willow, Amber and Brooke.
At Bendigo Senior Secondary College, Willow Camilleri found that stepping into EB gave her the chance to try things she hadn’t before.
Like Emanuella, she learned that taking that first step, even when it feels daunting, can open doors to new skills and experiences. Amber Kelly also noticed the power of a supportive environment. She said, “it is not unrealistic to be up there with the boys,” reflecting how inclusion and encouragement from teachers and peers helps build self-belief.
Another student, Brooke Ludeman spoke about the value of teamwork in growing that confidence. Leaning on her teammates and teachers helped her feel proud and capable.
Similarly, Scarlett O’Connor found her own place, noting, “There is a place for everyone on the team, you just need to find where you fit in.”
These young women from Bendigo Senior highlight how guidance from teachers, support from peers, and belief in oneself all work together to help young women thrive in not only EB, but other areas that have previously been dominated by males
Primary teachers see the same pattern.
At Epsom Primary School, Tristan Pocock has watched older riders become the “rockstars” of the school. Younger students see them through classroom windows during spin sessions, notice their uniforms, and stop to watch when they carry trikes across the yard. Even without realising it, these girls are showing younger students what is possible. Tristan has also organised opportunities for the older girls to share their journey and passion with the grade four girls, allowing a spark to be lit for the young girls that may be thinking about being part of the HPV team
Tristan said that the biggest barrier is often not knowing what the sport actually involves. That is why openness and visibility matter so much. Schools that put girls at the centre of hands-on learning, maintenance, design and STEM tasks help them build confidence early. At Epsom, they work, train, race and live by the mantra “one in, all in,” helping their girls feel empowered to achieve anything and everything that is set for them.
Across the EB community, visibility continues to make a difference. Primary teams look up to the girls racing in the Victorian HPV Series, high school riders, community teams and all-female teams like “She’s the Man”, from Wattle Racing. Seeing girls and women racing at every level shows younger students that there are many pathways available to them, and that they are welcome in all of them.
Encouraging more girls to participate strengthens EB as a whole. Young women bring diverse thinking, collaboration, creativity, leadership and resilience. They help shape stronger team dynamics and better problem-solving. Their involvement reflects EB’s belief that curiosity, creativity and working together lead to breakthroughs that support not just individuals, but whole communities.
For any young woman and girl thinking about joining Energy Breakthrough, I want you to know that you belong here.
Tristan explained, “female riders are capable of anything”, especially when they are surrounded by passionate and supportive people. You do not need to be the strongest or the fastest to start. EB is a place to learn, experiment and discover what you can do. Whether you want to race, design, build, innovate or support your team, there is a place for you. Once you step into it, you may be surprised by what you achieve. As Tristan said, “Do what others won’t today, so that you can do what others can’t tomorrow”.
A huge thank you to everyone who generously shared their time and experiences, including Emanuella Ricciuti, Willow Camilleri, Amber Kelly, Brooke Ludeman, Scarlett O’Connor, Taylor Russell and Tristan Pocock. Your insights and honesty helped shape this piece, and your leadership is already inspiring the next generation of girls in EB.
Can’t wait to see you race in Maryborough this weekend, best of luck to everyone!
~ Maggie Fitzgerald
Fantastic article. Go the girls!!
Pedal Prix gives girls the same equipment, on the same tracks, at the same time, as everyone else. From the very first Event in 1986 in Adelaide, girls have always been involved. This is one of the strengths of our activity.