The free event invites individuals and corporate members to come and be part of a conversation in supporting women who work in industries traditionally dominated by men.

The Irrigator spoke with the National Director of NAWO, Louise Weine, to find out more about the event and why people should come and attend.

“We concentrate on supporting and working with professional women in industries where traditionally they’re the minority,” Ms Weine said.

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NAWO began eight years ago with the aim to connect like-minded organisations to one another, to learn from one another, to remove barriers to female success.

They also aim to provide women with role models in the workplace in operational businesses: manufacturing, mining, transport, logistics, and any industry that is traditionally male-dominated.

NAWO have named the top three “harsh stereotypes” in the workplace for women.

Their programs therefore focus on five key learning areas: personal courage and confidence; authentic leadership; commercial acumen; influence and negotiation; and career management.

“And, it’s really all about helping and supporting women taking charge of their own career and having the confidence to really achieve their full potential,” Ms Weine said.

While the event itself will focus mainly on ‘influence and negotiation’, it is about opening up a broader discussion.

“What we’re trying to do, through these events, is generate a really good awareness of NAWO and get some support from local business for this volunteer committee that we’ve got set up in the Riverina.

There are currently over 50 members Australia-wide and NAWO facilitate opportunities for them to learn from one another as to what works well around attracting, retaining, and promoting women.

But, NAWO want to see more businesses get involved.

“We really want companies that believe in what we’re doing,” Ms Weine said.

Guest speaker Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Julia Puntoriero said of the NAWO program, “Early on in life, learning how to get my parents and teachers to say that magical word – “yes” – was something I knew was necessary.

“In the beginning I used my youth and kindness… thankfully, my experience has evolved.”

Ms Puntoriero now aims to step guests through her tips to ‘negotiate and influence’ in a male-dominated business environment.

“We’d love women from all different disciplines to think about a career in operations,” Ms Weine said.

“We’re trying to spark interest in the event and get some support for what we’re trying to do in the region.”

Guest panellists will include Paul Foley, DeBortoli Wines and Hayley Parslow, P&C Business Partner, SunRice.

Event details can be found below.

Bookings can be made here and close June 13 2018

Optional tour of the Emeri De Bortoli Gardens (limited places) and networking at the cellar door available after the presentation.

The NSW Riverina Regional Committee members, who are volunteering their time to run the events in the Riverina, are: Kate O’Callaghan (NSW Riverina Regional Committee Chair General Manager, Southern Cotton), Amy Billsborough (Analyst – Regional and Agribusiness, Commonwealth Bank), Marg Couch (Projects Manager, Regional Development Australia – Riverina), Nicole Martin (Teacher Leadership and Management and Human Resources, TAFE NSW), Sarah Minato (HR Coordinator, De Bortoli Wines), Emily Perkins (Feedlot Manager, JBS Australia), Monique Rossi (HR Coordinator, De Bortoli Wines), Maria Ryan (T&D Coordinator, SunRice).