News & Events
Women in Automotive Networking Event a success
9 March 2007
The inaugural Automotive Centre of Excellence Women in Automotive Event was held on Thursday March 8 2007 to celebrate International Women's Day. Held at the Windsor Hotel, Melbourne, the luncheon saw guest speaker Avril Henry deliver an inspiring speech to over 100 women from the automotive sector.
The Women in Automotive Excellence Awards were also launched by the Automotive Centre of Excellence and Kangan Batman TAFE CEO Ray Griffiths, when he opened the Women in Automotive Luncheon.
'The awards are one way of positively promoting the achievements of outstanding women in the automotive industry, and aiming to correct a major imbalance in participation by females,' he said.
Designed to promote networking and encourage participation by women in all areas of the automotive industry, is to be the first in a series of events recognising the achievements of females in the industry.
Guest speaker Avril Henry has a career spanning senior roles in Finance, IT, Project Management, Change Management and HR in Australia and internationally. Ms Henry gave an inspirational speech that challenged the women in the audience to have a stronger belief in themselves and to be braver and bolder in their work and home life.
Drawing on her career in human resources, business and change management encouraged every woman in the room.
'We should be more confident in our ability and our intellect. Self leadership is essential but this needs to be driven by self care,' Ms Henry said.
Avril also spoke passionately about the importance of mentoring and building networks among women.
Nominations for the awards will open in July 2007 and there will be four main categories;
- Automotive trades
- Automotive retailing or administration
- Automotive management
- Automotive student
The luncheon was a huge success and as well as providing an opportunity for guests to build professional networks. The event also raised $1165.00 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Information on the Women in Automotive Excellence Awards will be available on this website shortly.
