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Kelly is the President of the Hastings Business Women’s Network, which since 1999 has been supporting & promoting the achievements of its members. Kelly shares details about the exciting year ahead for HBWN, its enthusiastic committee and membership. ’m sure many people will find your face familiar. Have you been involved with the community in a number of different roles? I took on the role of President of the Hastings Business Women’s Network last year and have been involved with a number of community committees and events, but most people recognise me from my days as Bank Manager at Westpac here in Port Macquarie. Can you give us an insight into what the HBWN is all about? The HBWN is an organisation of more than 150 local women who come together to exchange ideas, information and inspiration, while striving for business success. The Network was founded in 1999 and has a proud history of encouraging, empowering and educating women in business in Port Macquarie and surrounding regions. The HBWN’s regular activities, such as networking events and professional development courses, provide a real sense of belonging to our warm and welcoming business community. We also see our role as supporting and promoting the achievements of our skilled and talented members, and thereby raising awareness of the contribution of business women to the local economy and community. The HBWN has a bold new look. What prompted the rebranding? The HBWN started life 13 years ago and has had the same logo ever since. A lot has changed in that time, and we wanted a new symbol that would reflect the level of professionalism of our members, have wide appeal and take us into the future. What is the significance of the poppy flower for the Network? The HBWN is all about growing tall poppies. The red poppy flower has been the
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recognisable symbol of the HBWN since its inception, so we wanted to retain that. We believe it is the right of every business woman to hold her head high and, like the tall poppy, stand out from the crowd. The Network has a big year ahead. Tell us what’s on the radar for the HBWN in 2012? Our recently launched Calendar of Events features The HBWN’s , 22 different functions regular activities ng ki or tw throughout the year – that’s ne as such almost two a month! events and professional The HBWN is shaking up development e Does the HBWN its networking events this urses, provid co have a new look in year. We kicked things off a real sense of the online world as with an upbeat cocktail event belonging ... well? at Mykonos Tavern and will We’ve just launched our continue varying the times and sleek new website www.hbwn. venues of our functions, to ensure as com.au, which now provides a range many people as possible can come along and of interactive options for members to refer join the fun. business and provide exclusive offers. We’ll also be running a series of personal Our Facebook page is also live, and and professional development courses, which members are already enjoying the ability to will tap into the extensive knowledge base of share photos, swap business ideas and stay our membership to benefit everyone. connected with each other. What other changes are in the wind? How did the new look and new focus We’ve been looking at clever ways for our come together? members to get the most out of the Network, It simply wouldn’t have come together engage with each other and leverage without the amazing support of a number of exciting new opportunities to promote their members, who generously donated their time businesses. and services. The HBWN is also aiming to resurrect its Special thanks to all our official Committee annual awards program, which recognises members, who put in a great deal of work, some of the region’s leading ladies and as well as Caron and Tracy at Snap Printing, highlights their success stories. Zoe Pogonowski at XYZ Support, Kylie Biltris While there are a lot of exciting changes, at Childish Photography, Linda McCully at some things will stay the same – such as our Social Sense and Public Relations Consultant, commitment to inspiring members to achieve Michelle Newman. their goals, providing a sense of belonging With International Women’s Day just and remaining relevant to the needs of our around the corner, what does the HBWN Network and the community.
have planned? We will be celebrating International Women’s Day with a fundraising cocktail event for the Hastings Women and Children’s Refuge on 8 March 2012 at the Glasshouse. The evening will feature inspiring stories of local women who have made a lasting impression on our community. Making a meaningful contribution to local services and celebrating our local heroines are some of the HBWN’s core values. How can people find out more about getting involved in the Network in 2012? The HBWN always welcomes new members, and I’m sure that anyone interested would find, as I have, that being a member is rewarding and enjoyable, both personally and professionally. Thanks Kelly.
the plug! To find out more or join the Hastings Business Women’s Network, visit their new-look website at www.hbwn.com.au or call Kelly Lamb on 0431 510 071.