The Nationals WA Leader and Member for Central Wheatbelt Mia Davies was in Merredin today to open the third International Women’s Day event at Cummins Theatre.
Ms Davies, who joined guest speakers Tanya Dupagne (Camp Kulin), Stacey Dadd (Champagne and Gumboots) and Anita Radcliffe (Westpac), said the event was growing in stature every year.
“We’ve heard from amazing women today sharing a diverse range of professional and personal experiences,” she said.
“Allowing others to learn from these experiences serves to enrich the appetite for women to step into leadership roles and inspire them to take on challenges they may have otherwise have passed up.”
Ms Dupagne moved from Perth to the southern Wheatbelt town of Kulin and started Camp Kulin in 2013. She was named the 2017 Rural Woman of the Year for her pioneering work helping children and teenagers who have survived trauma.
Multiple award-winning Toodyay-based baking aficionado and blogger Stacey Dadd created Champagne and Gumboots after she was diagnosed gluten intolerant seven years ago.
Her homemade baked goods business has since taken off and she is in the process of writing a cookbook as well as creating a video blog.
Anita Radcliffe is Westpac’s Regional General Manager of Agribusiness and has extensive corporate experience in government and financial services industry. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ms Davies said a key theme of International Women’s Day – Balance for Better – promoted men and women working together to achieve better outcomes for their communities.
“A record attendance of 110 Wheatbelt women were here today. They’re contribution goes to a great cause helping at-risk children experience what Camp Kulin has to offer, a great community outcome,” she said.
“I congratulate the organisers for this event’s growing popularity and giving women the opportunity to reinforce the increasingly important and relevant role we play as decision makers and leaders.”
Event coordinator Kerry Kretschmer said money raised would go towards sponsoring Camp Kulin places, which cost $385 each.
“Through the support shown for this event we have been able to assist 22 children go to camp Kulin in the past and hope we can build on this in the future.”
