Moorabool News The
EMAIL: news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Tuesday 11 May, 2021
Your Local News
Serving Ballan and district since 1872
Marvellous Moorabool
Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan with Cr Ally Munari (more photos page 3). Photo – Helen Tatchell
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Vol 15 No 18
By Bianca Roberts (Intern 3rd Yr Melb. Uni) It was a marvellous luncheon in Moorabool celebrating Women in Business and attracted 150-women to St Anne’s Winery in Myrniong last week. A handful of men also attended, interested to hear from the keynote speaker Katherine Mackenzie OAM. It was the second event run by Moorabool Shire Council’s Economic Development team, almost tripling the attendance in 2020, just before the COVID lockdown hit the state. Senior Economic Development Officer Tina Seirlis explained the purpose of the Council funded event. “Our goal was to build on the momentum from the inaugural Women in Business event in early March 2020 from which there was a very positive, high volume of post-event feedback indicating that Moorabool’s women in business would welcome more opportunities to come together and network. “This paired with the 2020 event booking out very quickly, we knew that a second iteration would need a larger venue,” she said. The luncheon provided businesswomen around the shire the opportunity to wine, dine and network, as well as be inspired by not just the invited guest speaker, but four local ladies who run a business in Dunnstown, Ballan, Gordon and Bacchus Marsh. Ms Mackenzie had not long been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her transformative work within the tourism industry, the first woman in regional Victoria to be granted such for tourism. Though ruthless competition and selfishness may seem to go hand in hand with business dealings, these are instincts Ms Mackenzie actively discouraged. She took to the podium to discuss her recipe for success to the diverse and colourful crowd. “Nurture one another and collaboratively build your businesses,” she said. “If you showcase them, they’ll showcase you.” Her personal success, she says, was dependent on “collaboration at every level”. “Passion and dedication are at the core of any successful venture,” Ms Mackenzie said. “Every day, get up and be passionate about what you do, create your masterpiece.” There was also the importance of genuine dedication to one’s brand. “It’s got to be real. It’s got to be homegrown, you’ve got to feel it,’ she said. “If I create from the heart, nearly everything works.” Ms Seirlis said Council was extremely grateful to the highly inspiring Kathryn Mackenzie, OAM for volunteering her time to visit Moorabool and share her valuable insights, “Along with our other speakers including Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan who officially opened the event, and the four inspiring local women in business who in turn volunteered their time to participate in the event panel.” The highest number of registrations came from women in Ballan, over 30 in attendance. And is Council planning for 2022? “Based on the atmosphere in the room last week, and from direct feedback on the day, it did appear that the event was well received, however we will await further feedback via the post-event survey which will be issued shortly.” Ms Seirlis said the feedback will help guide planning for future events and they encourage all registered guests to provide feedback when they receive the survey link.
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