Initiative plots pathways for Aboriginal women’s leadership

Not-for-profit group Leadership WA chose the recent NAIDOC week celebrations to launch a new program tailored to building the leadership skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

The Aboriginal Women’s Leadership Initiative is based on the successful 2015 pilot program Yorga Djenna Bidi, which in Nyoongar language means ‘women moving forward together’.

Leadership WA chief executive Robin McClellan said the program, founded by two Aboriginal women, brought together 20 women across 12 different language groups. 

“Aboriginal people will tell you Aboriginal problems are going to be solved by Aboriginal people,” Ms McClellan said.

“We need to empower, develop, train and provide a framework to help with that, and I think that’s what this leadership initiative does.”

Women from as far as Broome flew to Perth to take part, with participants undertaking skills training and listening to talks from WA leaders, including Edith Cowan University pro vice-chancellor Colleen Hayward.

The program will have seven sessions over five months, and Ms McClellan’s vision is to hold three programs each year – one in Perth and two in regional areas, resulting in a cumulative 200 participants over the next three years.

The search for funding is under way and Ms McClellan hopes potential sponsors and donors will come forward before the program starts in September.

“None of us is happy with the outcomes that we see right now and we know as a state we can do better,” Ms McClellan said.

“It makes sense; if you strengthen women then you generally strengthen the family structure, and the Aboriginal community would say women are the bedrock of their society.”

CEOs for Gender Equity to try Steel Heels on for size

Two groups dedicated to furthering the success of women in the workplace have joined forces to motivate, educate, and promote women in the workplace.

Women’s business mentoring service Steel Heels has reached an agreement with CEOs for Gender Equity, whereby the latter’s female associates receive a free Steel Heels three-month membership, involving advice on pay negotiations, interviewing for jobs, networking, personal branding, public speaking and career change.

Recent statistics from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency revealed only 8.7 per cent of ASX200 companies’ CEOs are women, with that figure rising to 15.7 per cent in non-ASX companies.

Steel Heels founder Sharon Warburton believes mentoring is vital for industry change.

“Girls graduate from high school full of confidence … give them a few years of working in a male-dominated environment and most of that self-confidence has evaporated,” Ms Warburton said.

“If a mentor does nothing other than halt the evaporation of self-confidence, then I believe you will see more women emerge through the ranks.”

Bidders muscle up to buy truffles at charity auction

This year’s Truffles for Muscles Charity Auction for Muscular Dystrophy Western Australia raised more than $80,000 when it was held in Leederville last month.

The 2016 auction marked the third time the event had been held in WA, with total funds raised now reaching $260,000.

This year the prized ‘Truffle Grande’, the largest truffle to come from Manjimup’s early season picking, was donated by Al Blaker from Manjimup Truffles. The 530-gram truffle was auctioned for $4,000.

The cocktail fundraiser was held last month at Kailis Bros Leederville and auctioned a select number of luxury items including Rohan Jewellery’s custom-made diamond bracelet, a getaway package to a Pyrenees villa in France, and ownership of a row of Mourvèdre vines for 12 months at Myattsfield Vineyard.

All proceeds from the auction will go toward supporting research, as well as the muscular dystrophy community.

More than 20,000 Australians are affected by the genetic neuromuscular disorder that has more than 70 types and currently has no cure.