The University of Canberra hosted a Women in Sport and Business Luncheon in the Ann Harding Centre today.
Stephen Parker and Heather Reid opened the luncheon. Grace Gill was the MC.
There were four speakers:
In her introduction to the speakers, Grace provided the luncheon guests with an insight into her season with Canberra United. She discussed how she combined work duties with her 80 training sessions, games and travel.
Each of the speakers shared their experiences of sport and business. Kate Lundy spoke about the place of sport in society, its contribution to the public good and its potential for social cohesion and inclusion. She noted the importance of the 2006 Senate Report About time! Women in sport and recreation in Australia.
Jane shared her experiences as a partner in the accountancy firm RSM Bird Cameron. She discussed the importance of toughness and confidence in business contexts. She offered some insights into her vocational path. Jane was very clear that she had experienced an equality of opportunity in a profession that celebrated differentness.
Heather discussed her experience in football in Canberra from founding club secretary at ANU (1978) to CEO of Canberra Football (2004) to WLeague Champion success (2011). Heather is now the longest serving CEO in Australian football. She spent part of her talk sharing insights into leadership programs in Canberra and the future for women in football.
Kate Pumpa was the final speaker of the day. She shared her experiences as an exercise scientist and dietician. She noted the range of opportunities she had found in elite sport and women’s health. She gave an example of her current interests including her work on lymphoedema.
This was the first business luncheon of this kind. The Ann Harding Centre was packed and the luncheon ended with some excellent questions from the floor to the panel of speakers.
I was delighted to be able to attend and welcomed the opportunity to celebrate Canberra United’s successful, record-breaking season.
