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Women Celebrate Leadership at
Regional Women on Boards
Dinner
 At
the invitation of Community Leadership Loddon Murray (CLLM), a group of
forty women in leadership roles across the north central region came
together in Bendigo on Friday 20 August to network and discuss common
issues.
Cr. Lisa Ruffell welcomed the dinner guests from as far
away as Swan Hill in the north and Romsey in the south. Cr. Ruffell
proclaimed her personal mission to encourage and support young women to
enter into leadership roles and this was picked up with equal enthusiasm
by the guest speaker, Kate Roffey,.
Drawing on her experiences as the Executive Director of
the Australian Tennis Foundation, and as a director and member of numerous
sporting boards, Kate issued a challenge to all women in leadership roles.
 “I
measure myself against my own personal standards, not against the men in
the room,” Kate said in reference to the boards where she is the sole
female member. “We need to set our standards high and make decisions that
make us proud.”
Kate paid tribute to the many women who have helped to
break down the barriers over previous decades to make her path an easier
one. “We also need to lead by example and leave a legacy for the women
coming behind us.”
It was agreed during facilitated table discussions that
women have a valuable contribution to make to councils and boards. It was
also noted that although there is a slightly higher ratio of women in the
Australian population there is a considerably lower number of women in
leadership positions.
 A
wide range of barriers were identified. Providing a welcoming environment
and offering mentoring to new and aspiring board members were some of the
strategies identified to assist women to participate more fully.
At the conclusion of the discussion, one attendee was
“inspired to think about the next step” in her career and community
leadership.
Patti Cotton, a board member of Continuing Education,
spoke about a new group formed to “inspire, support and encourage young
women in Bendigo.”
“I have hope for the future,” said Cr. Yvonne Jennings,
currently the only serving female councilor at Swan Hill.
 Master
of Ceremonies, Fiona Parker from the ABC Radio morning show, was excited
by the vibrant conversation in the room and invited CLLM board member,
Beth Taylor, to launch a new CLLM initiative funded by the Victorian State
Government.
Free forums will be conducted in Bendigo during October
for women wanting to learn more about being on a board or committee, as
well as develop skills to assist them in current roles.
For more information about the free forums,
click here.
Photo Captions (top to bottom):
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 Diane
Bunnett (left), an active member of the agricultural industry, pictured
chatting with Fiona Parker from ABC Radio during a networking dinner
held for women in leadership roles.
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LMCLP graduates
with with guest speakers (L-R) Yvonne Jennings, Ellen White, Di Bunett,
Kate Roffey, Fiona Parker, Beth Taylor and Colleen Condliffe.
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Antoinette
Danaher and Sandra Volk share ideas
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Jenny Dyer,
Karen Corr and Ellen White discuss environmental leadership
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Colleen
Condliffe and Wendy Morton talk leadership with Fiona Parker
This
event was an initiative of
Community Leadership Loddon Murray Inc. and is proudly supported by the
Victorian State Government.
For more information, please
contact Kerry Anderson on 03 5470 5122 or email
info@lmclp.org.au
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