Work-life balance possible with strategic choices and a supportive network

17 March
Dr Mark Toner, Director of Gender Matters continues the conversation on gender equality
Dr Mark Toner, Director of Gender Matters continues the conversation on gender equality

Continuing the conversation: “gender equality – it’s not a female issue, it’s an everybody issue”, the second veski inspiring women professional development & networking event was held in Melbourne on Monday, 16 March 2015 with attendees from science, industry and government. 

Attendees heard from Dr Buzz Palmer, CEO of STC Australia; Dr Mark Toner, Director of Gender Matters; and Professor Mary Wlodek, Professor of Physiology, Coordinator Researcher Development & Associate Dean (Research), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at The University of Melbourne.

All three panelists provided key insights drawn from their personal experiences with key themes including the need to make strategic career choices, the power of a supportive network, and encouragement from all that it is possible to achieve work-life balance. 

veski project officer Ms Danielle Johnston with Dr Mark Toner, veski chief executive officer Ms Julia L Page, Professor Mary Wlodek, Ms Stella Clark & Dr Buzz Palmer

Following the panel presentations, an insightful Q&A session was facilitated by MC Associate Professor Stella Clark, Executive Director of Stella Connect, giving the audience an opportunity to seek advice, share their experiences as well as state their own opinions about the topic at hand. The sharing of information continued on into a networking session with a twist. Attendees flipped their name badges to reveal stickers representing one of three designated networking stations for them to continue the discussion. 

The event followed on from the success of the inaugural veski inspiring women professional development & networking event on Monday, 8 December 2014 where the call for men and women to support the inspiring women program was highlighted with Professor Bob Williamson AO saying “gender equity isn’t a women’s issue; it’s an everyone issue.” 

veski chief executive officer, Ms Julia L Page, added to the call by encouraging all attendees to bring a male guest to the next event, and asking them to help promote the event across industry and other sectors. Interested attendees were urged to register a bloke in order to secure their seat at this event which resulted in 44 per cent of attendees being male, a huge increase from the few male participants at the first event. 

Following a call for women to BYO their own bloke: attendees included more than 44 per cent men

This event was the second in a quarterly series of events planned for 2015 as part of the veski inspiring women program. 

The next event will be held on Monday, 1 June 2015. 

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