09:00 - 09:20   Welcome and Opening COmments

Agenda

coffs harbour

09:20 - 09:40

Opening Address

Cr Tegan Swan

Councillor, Coffs Harbour City Council

Tegan is an elected Councillor for the City of Coffs Harbour. In 2017 she won the Minsters’ Award for Women in Local Government for a Rural or Regional Council for contributions to her local community. Tegan works regionally in community development and has always been a passionate advocate for her community. Tegan sits on many boards and committees including executive roles with the Woolgoolga & Northern Beaches Chamber of Commerce, Regional Parks Trust Board and Rally Australia Community Liaison Committee. She also chairs the Coffs Harbour Agricultural Advisory Committee.

09:40 - 10:40

Development Session

A MINDFUL AND RESILIENT LEADER

Personal and professional resilience is not only about strength through adversity but the ability to grow and adapt as a result of disruption. In this way we learn to move forward stronger than before. Participants are asked to consider resilience at both a personal and strategic level and through their leadership build resilience in their teams and manage challenging situations more effectively.

10:40 - 11:00   Morning Tea

11:00 - 12:20

Panel Discussion

Where to from here?

We are progressing in terms of female representation in workplace and community leadership roles, yet high-potential women advance more slowly than their male peers in so many sectors, in terms of both career progression and pay. Individuals and organisations know, from research and intuitively, that female representation in top management can boost their performance, that everyone has a vested interest in seeing more women become top leaders, yet the progress is slow – pay parity wise
we are talking 217 years slow according to the World Economic Forum. Is there a new conversation that needs to start? What else can be/is being done to accelerate these types of statistics to reach parity, equity and equality?

Deb Ryan

Chief Executive Officer, Community Care Options 

Deb is currently the CEO of Community Care Options in Coffs Harbour, an organisation that provides community care to people of all ages. Deb has worked in disability services for most of her working life commencing as a Registered Nurse, and managing accommodation, respite and community services for the Department of Ageing Disability and Home Care for over 20 years. Deb has a Graduate Certificate in Management, a Degree in Management & Professional Studies and extensive management experience. Her passion is people and getting the best for them and of them. 

Cr Tegan Swan

Councillor, Coffs Harbour City Council

Tegan is an elected Councillor for the City of Coffs Harbour. In 2017 she won the Minsters’ Award for Women in Local Government for a Rural or Regional Council for contributions to her local community. Tegan works regionally in community development and has always been a passionate advocate for her community. Tegan sits on many boards and committees including executive roles with the Woolgoolga & Northern Beaches Chamber of Commerce, Regional Parks Trust Board and Rally Australia Community Liaison Committee. She also chairs the Coffs Harbour Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Aunty Bea Ballangarry AM

Award winning writer and poet; Coffs Coast Woman of the Year 2018

Aunty Bea Ballangarry is a Gumbaynggirr Elder from the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. She is a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunty, carer and friend to many. She is a born storyteller, a published poet and is pro-active in most facets of community development. Aunty Bea is a co-founding member of the WOW Women of the World in Coffs Harbour, an established community group that focuses on honour, respect, connection, courage and empowerment. Aunty Bea was named the 2018 Coffs Coast Woman of the Year in March.

Liz Keen

Open Producer – Coffs Harbour, ABC 

Over her twenty-year media career, Liz Keen has produced radio documentaries for RN, presented live radio, worked as the Digital Producer at Four Corners, and written for the Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian. She was ABC Open Producer for the Coffs Coast. Liz moved into leadership in 2016 to become Chief of Staff for ABC Mid North and Coffs Coast. She then became Content Director at ABC Sydney. Liz is currently producing a podcast for ABC Regional and Local and managing a state-wide project. Liz is on two not-for-profit boards.

Jane Tavener

Founder, Heart and Soul Foundation 

Jane is passionate about working with women to help them feel inspired and empowered, Jane created the Heart and Soul Foundation in 2014 and started running free programs for women who have been through trauma and need support. Jane has also been involved with local community group WOW Women of the World since its inception in 2010, creating free events for women in the community. Jane also works as the Social Enterprise Coordinator for the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance Aboriginal Corporation and the National Aboriginal Design Agency.

12:20 - 13:10

Development Session

BUILDING CAREER CHANGING CONNECTIONS AND NETWORKING STRATEGICALLY

A major factor that contributes to individual resilience is having a strong and diverse network. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of a strong network; a sense of belonging, increased self-worth and wellbeing, career progression and security. Particularly for women in male dominated workplaces, the data shows that having a network of other women has a significant impact on retention and career progression. This practical session explores the mindsets that hold us back from networking and methods for overcoming them. Participants will take away tips and strategies to build and maintain relationships - the bedrock of a strong network.

13:10 - 14:00   Lunch

14:00 - 14:50

Development Session

BE BRAVE, ADAPTIVE AND EXPERIMENTAL

Although Australia has made significant progress in the gender equity space, we all know there is a long way to go until we reach parity. The time for action is now. It is time for each and every one of us to take accountability in creating gender equity. Our aim is to empower individuals and organisations, across all industries and sectors, to make all kinds of small and large-scale change.

14:50 - 15:10   Afternoon tea

15:55 - 16:00   Review Session & Closing Comments

15:10 - 15:55

Keynote Address

Tracey Spicer am

Reporter, Presenter and Author

Tracey Spicer is an author, journalist and television presenter who has anchored programs for ABC TV, Network Ten, Channel 9 and Sky News over the past 30 years. Renowned for the courage of her convictions, passion for social justice, and commitment to equality, she also has a wicked sense of humour. Currently, she works as a weekly columnist for Fairfax, presentation trainer for Outspoken Women and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, and media trainer at Spicer Communications. She appears regularly as a commentator on ABC TV and Channel 9. Her first book, The Good Girl Stripped Bare, was published by Harper Collins in April 2017.

16:00 - 16:30   Networking Drinks

08:30 - 09:00   Registration

Tegan is an elected Councillor for the City of Coffs Harbour. In 2017 she won the Minsters’ Award for Women in Local Government for a Rural or Regional Council for contributions to her local community. Tegan works regionally in community development and has always been a passionate advocate for her community. Tegan sits on many boards and committees including executive roles with the Woolgoolga & Northern Beaches Chamber of Commerce, Regional Parks Trust Board and Rally Australia Community Liaison Committee. She also chairs the Coffs Harbour Agricultural Advisory Committee.

09:20 - 09:40

Opening Address

Cr Tegan Swan

Councillor, Coffs Harbour City Council

09:40 - 10:40

Development Session

A MINDFUL AND RESILIENT LEADER

Personal and professional resilience is not only about strength through adversity but the ability to grow and adapt as a result of disruption. In this way we learn to move forward stronger than before. Participants are asked to consider resilience at both a personal and strategic level and through their leadership build resilience in their teams and manage challenging situations more effectively.

We are progressing in terms of female representation in workplace and community leadership roles, yet high-potential women advance more slowly than their male peers in so many sectors, in terms of both career progression and pay. Individuals and organisations know, from research and intuitively, that female representation in top management can boost their performance, that everyone has a vested interest in seeing more women become top leaders, yet the progress is slow – pay parity wise we are talking 217 years slow according to the World Economic Forum. Is there a new conversation that needs to start? What else can be/is being done to accelerate these types of statistics to reach parity, equity and equality?

11:00 - 12:20

Panel Discussion

Where to from here?

Deb Ryan

Chief Executive Officer, Community Care Options

Deb is currently the CEO of Community Care Options in Coffs Harbour, an organisation that provides community care to people of all ages. Deb has worked in disability services for most of her working life commencing as a Registered Nurse, and managing accommodation, respite and community services for the Department of Ageing Disability and Home Care for over 20 years. Deb has a Graduate Certificate in Management, a Degree in Management & Professional Studies and extensive management experience. Her passion is people and getting the best for them and of them. 

Tegan is an elected Councillor for the City of Coffs Harbour. In 2017 she won the Minsters’ Award for Women in Local Government for a Rural or Regional Council for contributions to her local community. Tegan works regionally in community development and has always been a passionate advocate for her community. Tegan sits on many boards and committees including executive roles with the Woolgoolga & Northern Beaches Chamber of Commerce, Regional Parks Trust Board and Rally Australia Community Liaison Committee. She also chairs the Coffs Harbour Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Cr Tegan Swan

Councillor, Coffs Harbour City Council

Aunty Bea Ballangarry AM

Award winning writer and poet; Coffs Coast Woman of the Year 2018

Aunty Bea Ballangarry is a Gumbaynggirr Elder from the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. She is a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunty, carer and friend to many. She is a born storyteller, a published poet and is pro-active in most facets of community development. Aunty Bea is a co-founding member of the WOW Women of the World in Coffs Harbour, an established community group that focuses on honour, respect, connection, courage and empowerment. Aunty Bea was named the 2018 Coffs Coast Woman of the Year in March.

Liz Keen

Open Producer – Coffs Harbour, ABC 

Over her twenty-year media career, Liz Keen has produced radio documentaries for RN, presented live radio, worked as the Digital Producer at Four Corners, and written for the Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian. She was ABC Open Producer for the Coffs Coast. Liz moved into leadership in 2016 to become Chief of Staff for ABC Mid North and Coffs Coast. She then became Content Director at ABC Sydney. Liz is currently producing a podcast for ABC Regional and Local and managing a state-wide project. Liz is on two not-for-profit boards.

Jane Tavener

Founder, Heart and Soul Foundation 

Jane is passionate about working with women to help them feel inspired and empowered, Jane created the Heart and Soul Foundation in 2014 and started running free programs for women who have been through trauma and need support. Jane has also been involved with local community group WOW Women of the World since its inception in 2010, creating free events for women in the community. Jane also works as the Social Enterprise Coordinator for the Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance Aboriginal Corporation and the National Aboriginal Design Agency.

12:20 - 13:10

Development Session

BUILDING CAREER CHANGING CONNECTIONS AND NETWORKING STRATEGICALLY

A major factor that contributes to individual resilience is having a strong and diverse network. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of a strong network; a sense of belonging, increased self-worth and wellbeing, career progression and security. Particularly for women in male dominated workplaces, the data shows that having a network of other women has a significant impact on retention and career progression. This practical session explores the mindsets that hold us back from networking and methods for overcoming them. Participants will take away tips and strategies to build and maintain relationships - the bedrock of a strong network.

Although Australia has made significant progress in the gender equity space, we all know there is a long way to go until we reach parity. The time for action is now. It is time for each and every one of us to take accountability in creating gender equity. Our aim is to empower individuals and organisations, across all industries and sectors, to make all kinds of small and large-scale change.

14:00 - 14:50

Development Session

BE BRAVE, ADAPTIVE AND EXPERIMENTAL

Tracey Spicer is an author, journalist and television presenter who has anchored programs for ABC TV, Network Ten, Channel 9 and Sky News over the past 30 years. Renowned for the courage of her convictions, passion for social justice, and commitment to equality, she also has a wicked sense of humour. Currently, she works as a weekly columnist for Fairfax, presentation trainer for Outspoken Women and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, and media trainer at Spicer Communications. She appears regularly as a commentator on ABC TV and Channel 9. Her first book, The Good Girl Stripped Bare, was published by Harper Collins in April 2017.

15:10 - 15:55

Keynote Address

Tracey Spicer AM

Reporter, Presenter and Author

09:00 - 09:20   Opening COmments

15:55 - 16:00   Review & Closing Comments

Lorraine Gordon

Program Director, Farming Together 

Lorraine is a beef producer with an extensive career in agricultural leadership. She is a former NSW Rural Woman of the Year and CEO of Regional Development Australia - Mid North Coast. Lorraine co-initiated the Ebor Beef Co-operative. She presided on boards and committees at the Reserve Bank of Australia, UNE, CSU and regional tourism boards. Lorraine has held leadership roles at Westpac, the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and Executive Security for Women. She graduated from the Australian Rural Leadership Program and is a 2002 Telstra Business Women’s Award winner.

Lorraine Gordon

Program Director, Farming Together 

Lorraine is a beef producer with an extensive career in agricultural leadership. She is a former NSW Rural Woman of the Year and CEO of Regional Development Australia - Mid North Coast. Lorraine co-initiated the Ebor Beef Co-operative. She presided on boards and committees at the Reserve Bank of Australia, UNE, CSU and regional tourism boards. Lorraine has held leadership roles at Westpac, the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and Executive Security for Women. She graduated from the Australian Rural Leadership Program and is a 2002 Telstra Business Women’s Award winner.

Event Overview

The Australian Women’s Leadership Forum is for women who are looking for increased awareness of their leadership style and competencies, as well as practical strategies to help them overcome challenges within their work and personal life. The program also provides a relaxed and supportive environment to connect and collaborate with other female leaders.

The content and flow of the program is carefully designed to immerse participants in the subject matter and create valuable insights informed by collective experience. During the program, a number of key themes are explored via a combination of expert presentations, collaborative discussion, experiential activities and personal reflection.