News

The Victorian Government has expanded its Women on Boards Leadership Program to encourage more women to serve on community and government boards. The initiative has been established in response to findings from Safe and Strong – A Victorian Gender Equality Strategy, which identifies the need to support women into leadership positions, to enable a pipeline of new women board members and to enhance gender representation in decision making.

A joint initiative between Leadership Victoria, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Office of Prevention and Women’s Equality, the expanded program will award 100 scholarships to participants.

It will empower women to become influential board members and leaders, and will also seek to retain skilled and experienced women who are currently serving on boards.

The program offers flexible training packages for women pursing a board career, including through networking, mentoring and capacity building. It recognises that there are benefits to promoting gender equality on Victorian community and government boards, including:

• improved social performance of organisations
• improved innovation and decision-making
• enhanced board effectiveness
• better financial performance.

Women of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applications for the program will close on 21 July 2017. Further information and application forms can be found at www.womensregister.vic.gov.au.

Applications for the new Joan Kirner Young and Emerging Women Leaders Program are now open.

As Victoria's first and only female premier, the late Joan Kirner's political legacy is characterised by her commitment to promoting women and reforming education.

This new program will honour Joan’s legacy by supporting up-and-coming female leaders to obtain the critical skills, networks and experiences they need to advance their leadership careers.

The Victorian Government is calling on women to apply for this opportunity to advance their leadership skills and work towards becoming influential leaders in their communities, sectors and areas of interest.

The program will award scholarships to 25 young and emerging women leaders who represent the six themes reflective of Joan’s passions:

• education
• environment
• women's health
• western suburbs of Melbourne
• Aboriginal women
• culturally diverse women.

The program is open to individuals aged between 18 to 40 years who identify as a woman and live in Victoria. Scholarship recipients will have access to a comprehensive package of developmental opportunities that have been specially designed by Leadership Victoria to support them in their leadership journeys.

Applications close Monday 3 July 2017. For more information about the program please visit the Women Victoria website.

Each year, the Victorian Honour Roll of Women acknowledges and celebrates the outstanding achievements of women in Victoria.

Nominations for the 2018 Honour Roll are now open. If you know an extraordinary woman who deserves recognition for her contribution, leadership and achievements, please nominate her by visiting the Women Victoria website.

The Victorian Government welcomed another 25 inspirational women to the Honour Roll in 2017. The inductees include Dr Christine Tippett, a specialist in high-risk obstetrics, businesswoman Hana Assafiri, media personality and UNICEF Ambassador Carrie Bickmore, the first female to coach in the AFL Peta Searle and the late Stella Young, activist and comedian who challenged the way Australians view disability. You can read the inspiring stories of the 2017 inductees on the Women Victoria website.

Since 2001, 607 inductees have been honoured for their significant and lasting contributions. Inductees have contributed to lasting change in Victoria, Australia and the world, in many fields of endeavour.

This year, a Victorian Honour Roll of Women Alumni and Ambassador program was also launched to bring together the remarkable women who have been inducted onto the Honour Roll. Ambassadors convened their first workshop in April to begin work to shape the program. By honouring women and celebrating their achievements, the ambassadors will inspire the next generation of women to become leaders and encourage a society based on equality and respect.

Please refer to Women Victoria www.vic.gov.au/women for the application guidelines, further information and to nominate an outstanding woman you know.

Nominations close 5pm Monday, 17 July 2017.