There can be a bit of rivalry between the three biggest towns in the Valley, but the local women’s business network is aiming to put the ‘unity’ back into community.
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The Nambucca Valley Women’s Business Network (NVWBN) aims to bring women from all corners of the valley together to share skills, create community and to empower, support and inspire each other in the world of work and business.
One of the obstacles to achieving this goal is the potential for the group to become identified with one town or another, playing into historic and geographical divides and reducing the reach and effectiveness of the group.
“We didn’t want to become part of partisan politics between Macksville, Nambucca Heads and Bowraville,” NVWBN communications and media coordinator Sara Runciman explained.
“We decided that one way to overcome the divide between the centres of the Nambucca Valley is to have a monthly meeting that rotates between Macksville, Nambucca and Bowraville; which is exactly what we have done.”
NVWBN held their first meeting in Macksville, their second meeting in Nambucca Heads, and their third meeting is scheduled to be staged in Bowraville, on Thursday, November 9.
“Our hope is that not only will women feel that they can attend a meeting close to their home, but that we highlight the importance of unity in community,” NVWBN President Elizabeth Bond said.
“For too long we have been separated by geography, when we know that the women of the valley just want to put all that aside and get to work.”
What’s in store next?
NVWBN are proud to announce that the guest speaker for their November meeting will be Rhonda Hoban, Nambucca Shire Council mayor.
Ms Hoban has been serving the people of the Nambucca Valley since 2004, firstly as councillor and now nine years as mayor, being returned for a third term in 2016.
However. there is more to Ms Hoban than her local government history.
She is an educated woman with a varied employment background, including mine safety consultancy, owning and managing a successful restaurant and catering business, as well as working in the areas of policy and legislation for state and federal government.
Ms Hoban is very much looking forward to sharing her experiences and wisdom with the group in their November meeting.
What you’ve missed
NVWBN had their first member speaker stand up in front of the group for the October Meeting.
Linda Wells, workplace health educator at Well Represented, shared her passion for helping employees to live healthier lives through in-house workshops.
“It’s nothing fancy, no fads or diets, just reminding people to eat fresh food, participate in exercise and watch the amount of alcohol they consume,” Ms Wells said
“I remind people that their DNA is not their destiny.”
Attendance at the first two meetings have been strong and backgrounds diverse, spanning the full spectrum of women in business, from sole traders, employees of local non-profits and government organisations, charity workers, farmers, and local business owners.
The common theme is a desire for support, connection and empowerment.
The November breakfast meeting will be held on Thursday, November 9 at the Bowraville RSL, 57 High Street Bowraville, from 7–8:30am, with arrival at 6:45 for a the 7am sharp start.
Tickets to the meeting need to be purchased in advance through Eventbrite, or you can find more information on the events tab on the NVWBN Facebook page.