Tuesday, October 3 at 6.00pm

Council Of Adult Education

 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

Annual General Meeting. Details to come soon.

Our most recent event:  

Women in Politics: Why does it matter ?

On June 8, BPW Melbourne presented a special panel discussion on the importance of greater representation of women in politics, and how to address the challenges in achieving this.

Our speakers were (L-R) Federal Labor Member for Hotham, Clare O'Neil MP; Mayor, City of Monash, Rebecca Paterson; Deputy Leader of the Victorian Nationals, Steph Ryan MP; Academic Director, University of Melbourne Pathway to politics Program for Women, Dr Andrea Carson.

In 2016: Making the Invisible Visible

Recognising the impact and effects of non-physical violence on women's work choices.

To commemorate White Ribbon Day, we hosted an informative panel discussion with guest speakers:

• Koraly Dimitriades - author, poet and opinion writer
• Gaynor Witt - Associate Director of Organisational Development at Swinburne University, and
• Jacqueline Graham who was recently appointed Director of Marketing and Vice President of BPW Australia

• 

   

(L-R) MC and Club Secretary Michelle Wareham, Jaqueline Graham, Gaynor Witt, President Caroline Bayliss, and Koraly Dimitriadis.

And previously....:

Great news  from the BPWA National Conference that was held mid-October in Geelong, which was hosted by our friends and colleagues at BPW Geelong and BPW South-West Victoria !

Our Club President, Caroline Bayliss, was awarded the National Pat Harrison Award for Outstanding Leadership of a Club President .

BPW Melbourne's Jacqueline Graham was elected as Director of Marketing of BPW Australia, as well as Vice President of BPW Australia, which means that she will assume Presidential responsibilities in the event that the President vacates her office for any reason . 

Our Club's Freda Miriklis was awarded a Life Membership of BPW Australia, a fitting recognition of Freda's many years of service to the organisation at local, national and international level, not least as Immediate Past BPW International President.

Judith van Unen acquitted herself admirably as the Chief Parliamentarian for the Conference Proceedings, that is, managing the complexities of voting at Conference.

All Victorian clubs unanimously nominated an eminent Victorian colleague, Anne Daniel (immediate past President of BPW Swan Hill) as the Victorian State Representative

 Congratulations from us all, Caroline, to you and to all these inspiring women !

On August 31, we held a stimulating event, 'Women in Science', to mark Equal Pay Day. Last year, we focussed on pay disparity in the legal profession, and this year we concentrated on inequality in STEM.

Here are some comments from those who attended:

"It was confronting to hear of the impact that 'taking a break' can have on careers in science.

It was inspiring to hear of the role that career teachers and mentors can have in challenging and expanding the career dreams of young women". (Michelle)

L-R Assoc. Prof. Bill Petreski, Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea, Karen Delvin (BPW), Dr Jesse E Olsen, Dr Leonie Walsh.

"Bill's comments about disruption being a driver for equality was extremely thought provoking.… I was shocked to learn that the pay gap starts from graduation…. The venue and food was terrific, loved the terrace". (Karen) 

'The speaker that impressed me the most was Maggie, she has such a heavy load and exhibits infectious energy and passion with her large task – I hope that many women in science get behind what she does, and that funding really is linked to diversity. Eventually future generations will benefit at whatever range of work they wish to contribute. Perhaps even Maggie's daughter.  Jesse's salad bowl analogy was 'delicious', and referred to several times afterwards - I believe the panel will take that away.' (Victoria)

 Two Special Guests

At our meeting, forum and dinner on June 7, we were delighted to be joined by two special guests: Janis Shaw, President BPWA, and Patricia Francis, Secretariat Representative of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment. Both had come to Melbourne to attend the UN Women’s Economic Empowerment consultation, hosted by Tennis Australia. Despite their heavy schedule, they had been inveigled by Melbourne member Freda Miriklis into joining us, and giving their valuable insights into that important meeting.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY BREAKFAST

'Can 2016 Be the Year of Womens' Ascent ?'

To celebrate IWD this year, BPW Melbourne booked a table at a fantastic event,  hosted by Women in Rotary.

The guest panel included Ahmed Fahour (Australia Post), Sally Warhaft (Melbourne broadcaster and anthropologist), Mark Woods (past president, Law Institute), and Marie Turner (Executive Director, Mitsubishi).  MC for the breakfast was Tom Gleisner, and the Moderator Maxine McKew.

Here are some comments from those who attended: 

" For me, the thing that really stuck in my mind was a message from Mitsubishi Aus executive director Marie Turner on career progression. One thing I come across quite often with my friends is their doubting of their own ability or worthiness in taking a promotion, let alone asking for it unprompted. Marie was talking about “stepping up” and not waiting to be tapped on the shoulder, which is something that is very difficult to do. We need to encourage confidence and identifying self-worth among women and girls so we can make the most of our abilities and get more of us in the top tiers of business! " (Emma)  

"in my opinion, the stand-out was from Ahmed Fahour of Australia Post that diversity is not just the right thing to do, it is good for business". (Bron)

"The message I took home was.... how committed CEO's in our top corporates can make a difference to the gender balance in senior leadership.  Ahmed Fahour, CEO of Australia Post asked for the names of the thirty most capable women in the business, and personally mentored them into Executive roles.  As a result, Christine Corbett, jumped four levels to become the Executive General Manager for Postal & eCommerce Services". (Karen)

White Ribbon Day 2015

'Breaking the Silence: Perspectives on Ending Violence Against Women'.

Guest speakers (L-R) Advocate Kirsty Mc Kellar, White Ribbon Ambassador and Telstra legal counsellor Luke Goldstein, and Janice Munt, senior advisor to Fiona Richardson, MP

Email: melbourne@bpw.com.au
Phone:0408 142 050 Caroline Bayliss, Club President

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