Regional women in business from throughout the state gathered in Victor Harbor on Friday 6 December for the inaugural Women in Business Regional Network Christmas dinner. More than 90 people attended with women travelling from as far away as Port Germein, Port Pirie, Gladstone and Mannum to join the celebration.

The Minister for Human Services and the Status of Women, Michelle Lensink, was unable to attend due to the heavy workload and many late night and early morning sittings of the Upper House of state parliament. Member for Finniss David Basham stood in for her at short notice to deliver the keynote address.

Ngarrindjeri Elder Leonie McCallum’s moving rendition of Amazing Grace was a highlight, accompanied by spontaneous singing from the crowd, as was her first public performance of Silent Night in language.

The audience was captivated by the Q&A session involving four successful regional women in business: Kelly Baker-Jamieson of Edible Blooms; Cindy Westphalen from Cindy’s Classic Gourmet; Moira Were AM from Chooks SA; and Melissa Ardern from Venyu.com.au, who were very open in sharing the challenges and lessons of their business experiences.

A monster raffle comprising 19 prizes totalling $1600 worth of goods and services donated by network members raised more than $1200 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Network founder Carolyn Jeffrey said the event was energising and set the scene for an exciting 2020 for not only the network, but also women in business in regional areas throughout the state who left talking about their plans for the new year.

“An emphasis on the night was to encourage the women to find connections and collaboration opportunities, particularly from those outside their chapter; and I believe that was achieved in spades,” Carolyn says.

The network is now in recess until the end of January when events will restart with a dinner at McLaren Vale on Tuesday, January 28 and a lunch at Victor Harbor on January 29.