Women's Network Australia - From the CEO's Desk

Dear Guest,

It's been an exciting week for WNA with the Brisbane launch of our much anticipated Humble Leaders book yesterday. It was wonderful to meet in person with our published authors and ambassadors who discussed their stories of courage, determination and perseverance. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, writing a book wasn't part of my forward planning but it has been a personal goal to get this dream off the ground and I want to thank everyone involved who gave their time, wisdom and stories so we could share it with all of you. Please read on further to hear how our two events progressed and how you can get your hands on our latest project!

In our third Business Insights Virtual Episode, we welcomed vitality expert Jo Hassan who certainly kept our PEPP® up with her energy and optimism! Through the lens of PEPP - purpose, energy, pleasure and profit, Jo encouraged attendees to view their business work and life as a whole and reminded us of making time to have a herbal tea and activities we enjoy every so often. Our series continues in October with Bronwyn Condon who will provide members with information on how to identify the right structure for your business whether you are a sole trader, company or trust. At the halfway point of the series, there are so many insights we'd like to share with you!

As we all continue to support each other virtually, on the phone and through social connection, it has been great to see physical events returning in our calendars. We invite you to be part of this year's WNA Christmas Charity Luncheon in Brisbane in November and we ask you to 'dare to dream' about your future personal and professional goals. We also dare to dream of an end to domestic and family violence. Once again the event will fundraise for Women's Legal Service Queensland and the tremendously important work they fulfil to keep our community safer for women and children.

I want to encourage WNA members to keep finding the time to blog and write articles on your areas of expertise. This month our WNA blog has been full of superb advice on hiring the best people for your business, buying the right car for your business, publishing a book, philanthropic giving and many more. Blogging is a great way to create traffic for your website, create public profile for your products and services and ultimately establish yourself as a leader in your field. More blogs please!

As a fan of the vivacious Dolly Parton, I love her message that "we shouldn't get so busy making a living that we forget to make a life". In support of that thought, it's important to step back and recognise when achievements and purposes have been fulfilled and what a great way to celebrate a WNA member in your circle than through the Greater Brisbane Women in Business Awards. And because events are key to getting us back on track, I have included some information on the Labels on the Lawn event at Hanworth House which celebrates all things fashion and shopping.

Finally, there is nothing quite like a stay at The Banyans Retreat or a bit of self care to find your balance. You can also find some down time to read a wonderful new book on healthy ageing and wellbeing which might just have some pearls of wisdom for all our readers. And if you're still buzzing from all the Australian Olympic Gold, take a look here for an upcoming Brisbane event supporting Women's Legal Service Queensland.

As always, I am open to your feedback and only ever a phone call away.

Stay safe and well this week and reach out if you need.

Janelle Bostock

CEO of Women's Network Australia

BUSINESS INSIGHTS VIRTUAL SERIES

Episode Four of our Business Insights Virtual Series is on Tuesday 12 October from 12.00pm to 1:00pm. This session features Bronwyn Condon of Marsh & Partners who loves helping businesses to achieve amazing goals!

Read more and book!

HUMBLE LEADERS BOOK LAUNCHES WRAP UP

Wow, what a huge week it has been. After the incredible success of our Humble Leaders book launch in Hobart a few weeks ago, yesterday we launched the book in Brisbane with another two fabulous events.

We kicked things off at the Queen Street Mall stage with the incredible support of Pam and John Welch at Dymocks Brisbane. Wonderfully, seven of our twelve authors were able to attend and each shared a snippet of their story on stage with MC Rachael Tiernan. It was a pleasure to also have the Lady Mayoress join us and reiterate the importance of this book.

After a short intermission, we celebrated again at the Brisbane Business Hub and welcomed WNA members and friends to hear snippets from six of our authors. Big thanks to Tracey Mathers for MC'ing this wonderful event and to Miriam Kent from the Brisbane Business Hub for allowing us to use the wonderful event space. Also to our interstate authors who joined us via Zoom!

Last but not least, thank you again to all twelve of our incredible authors. Your courage to share your story has helped us to create a book filled with stories of female leaders who are truly, humble. We can't wait to celebrate with members in other states as soon as we can!

IN HER SHOES

WNA Brisbane members joined us at Ralph & Co Camp Hill recently to hear the amazing story of Carol Haffke, Proud owner of The Shoe Garden.

The event can be best summed up by attendee Charli Fels who wrote the below:

I was mesmerised by Carol’s goddess-like appearance and divine aura. Her wisdom filtered into the hearts of the women in the room. A radiant presence of femineity, this goddess swept us through stories of conviction, courage, commitment.

Her stories were adventurous, bold, and terrifying…terrifyingly exciting, terrifyingly challenging, terrifyingly humbling. Cultures, countries, belief systems, values; four continents; editor in a fledgling democratic African country; a dream-turned-nightmare role working for the UN in Vietnam. This incredible determined woman had an internal driver of truth, humility and hard work. She expected these values from her friends, colleagues, bosses and herself as a leader.

With a background in journalism, it is not surprising that Carol’s life experiences involved forms of elevating voices and empowerment. Carol supports Microloan Foundation Australia, an organisation that raises funds in order to provide microloans to women in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia in Central Africa. They provide women with business skills, training and mentoring services to start their own businesses, be empowered to create a better life for themselves, their families and their community.

I sat and embraced the power of these spoken words, the collective magic of being woman, as empowered women empower women.

Thank you Carol Haffke for an inspiring morning at WNA and thank you Charli for the wonderful wrap up.

Small Business Roundtable to Guide Olympic-Era Reforms

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has unveiled a new high-powered business roundtable to help deliver a successful 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games while ensuring Brisbane remains the most small business-friendly city in Australia. The new Roundtable will permanently replace the highly successful Economic Recovery Taskforce which was created during the initial stages of the pandemic to help drive Brisbane's recovery and has seen important initiatives such as the seven-day payment terms for suppliers become a game changer for local businesses.

I am excited to announce I have been appointed to the new Small Business Roundtable which is great recognition for Women's Network Australia and is a great opportunity to provide a voice for our members. As part of a broader goal of creating a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games, it is imperative we start thinking now how we can make this the world's greatest sporting event but ensuring our businesses and community have the right operating environment to continue the momentum of our great city.

Labels on the Lawn 2021 - Hanworth House

Hanworth House's coveted event returns on Sunday 10th October from 1.00pm. Enjoy a relaxed and leisurely afternoon shopping the finest labels and luxury designer items donated by some of Brisbane's best fashionistas! Afterwards, enjoy some light refreshments at the Gin and Champagne bar to talk about your latest purchases with friends!

This year, Labels is partnering with Brisbane Fashion Month in bringing to our city over 1000 items from over 100 brands on sale - including Zimmerman, Easton Pearson, Aje, Leona Edmiston, Trelise Cooper, Carla Zampatti, Gucci and Louis Vuitton to name a few! Time to grab a bargain with most items $20 - $100, many still with tags on.

Tickets $130 - plus booking fee (limited tickets available) - includes admission, a beverage from the Gin and Champagne Bar and some scrumptious bites. All funds raised will benefit frontline domestic violence services of Women's Legal Service Queensland. Book your ticket now!

Greater Brisbane Women in Business Awards Program

I am excited that the 2021 Greater Brisbane Women in Business Awards Program has opened across all categories until September 30, 2021. The initiative for women provides a platform to honour outstanding and successful businesswomen and industry achievers and encourages ambition, empowers confidence and inspires new female leaders now and into the future.

Nominations are open for inspiring women in business who embody leadership qualities, embrace the principles of corporate social responsibility and are visionairies who are making a difference across Brisbane, Gold Coast, the Downs, Central and Northern QLD and Fraser and Sunshine Coast Region. Following the previous highly successful Awards, organisers are expecting the calibre of nominations to be extremely high given a plethora of talent.

Entrants can enter themselves but it would be wonderful to see our WNA members nominate their outstanding colleagues and friends! With a premier award - the Woman in Business of the Year and one to honour young women making a difference - the Empowering Young Women's Award (open to high school students) - there is something for everyone and we have many high achievers within our WNA ranks!

Please contact our WNA team if you would like to nominate someone and they can assist with the nomination process.

Health and Wellbeing

The Banyans

Recently I was delighted to join The Banyans Health and Wellness CEO Ruth Limkin and an interesting group for a leadership breakfast and great conversation. This private, residential rehabilitation retreat located in southeast Queensland, The Banyans is offering limited registration for The Life Audit 2022: A Wellbeing Retreat for the Busy Woman. Early Bird registrations are available until 30 September, 2021.

The Life Audit is a three-day retreat to be held at Brisbane's luxury Emporium Hotels on March 18-20, 2022. Please book here if you are interested!

New Book Shines Light on the Secrets of Women's Healthy Ageing

Just-released book, Secrets of Women's Healthy Ageing, by Professor Cassandra Szoeke, shines a light on one of the most comprehensive Australian studies on women's health. More than 400 Australian women in their mid-to-late lives have been part of the Women's Healthy Ageing Project at the University of Melbourne. Headed by Professor Szoeke with a team of international investigators, the project has compiled a remarkable amount of data, aiming to raise awareness of modifiable risk factors in women's health.

In this book, Cassandra shares the wisdom revealed by this comprehensive study, showing how to promote overall wellness and providing the key ingredients for living a long and healthy life. Key findings include:

The importance of a healthy brain and mind: Rethinking health from the head down
Connectivity: The benefits of community on physical and mental health
Gender bias: How the absence of women from drug trials and research has impacted the treatment of women in the healthcare system
Ageing well: Unhealthy ageing is preventable

Book is available at bookstores and online. RRP Paperback: $32.99, RRP eBook: $20.99 (Melbourne University Press)

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