Coleman Greig is delighted to announce the incredible success of the Women In Business International Women’s Day lunch with the Hon Julie Bishop MP, held on Friday 8 March in the company of 500 guests at the Waterview in Bicentennial Park.
The annual event is always highly anticipated and a well-supported feature on the Women in Business calendar. This year’s lunch reflected the 2019 International Women’s Day theme of Balance For Better, with Ms Bishop’s keynote presentation delivering insights into her incredible career journey from commercial lawyer and former Clayton Utz Partner, to Foreign Minister and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. She also shared some of the valuable lessons she has learned along the way, the challenges faced by women holding positions of leadership in male dominated environments, and why she believes that nations, organisations and other entities need to work harder to achieve gender balance.
Friday’s lunch also shone a spotlight on some of the truly inspiring work being undertaken by women living and working in Western Sydney through the presentation of the Western Sydney University’s Women of the West Awards. These awards showcase some of Western Sydney’s most outstanding high-achievers, with the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Denise Kirkpatrick announcing this year’s Award winners:
Women of the West Business Award – Azita Abdollahian
Women of the West Community Award – Padmini Howpage & Jodie Amor
Young Woman of the West Award – Matilda Harry
Every year, the Women in Business International Women’s Day event proudly supports a chosen charity. The 2019 lunch supported Grace’s Place. Named in honour of Grace Lynch, the mother of Anita Cobby, Grace’s Place is set to include residential and counselling facilities, and will be home to the new head office of the Homicide Victims Support Group.
Martha Jabour, Executive Director of Grace’s Place spoke about the charity and how, as the first of its kind internationally, the primary purpose of its centre, soon to be under construction in Western Sydney, will be to provide a unique place of healing and restoration for children traumatised by homicide.
Thanks to the combined generosity of this year’s Major Sponsors, Corporate Supporters and attendees, Friday’s event raised $21,170 for the group.
MC of the lunch, and Principal of Coleman Greig, Caroline Hutchinson, was delighted with the success of the event. “Having the opportunity to hear Ms Bishop speak about her experiences was fascinating – particularly in light of recent events. She is certainly a noteworthy advocate, not just for women, but also for finding a genuine balance between female and male representation within the workplace. Her presentation aligned perfectly with this year’s International Women’s Day theme of ‘Balance For Better’.
