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Div Pillay keynote speaker on Embracing Cultural Diversity for International Women's Day on 9 March at Phillip Island Winery

Celebrate cultural diversity with us this International Women's Day, by joining a special lunch on 9 March.

By news@gippsland - 1st February 2023 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council invites our community to celebrate cultural diversity with us this International Women's Day, by joining a special lunch on Thursday 9 March, with keynote speaker Div Pillay, guest speaker Nicky Chung, MC Deputy Mayor Cr. Rochelle Halstead, alongside women from all backgrounds - and allies - at Phillip Island Winery.

Div Pillay will be the keynote speaker of the 2023 International Women's Day event, experienced and respected diversity and inclusion practitioner, leader, researcher and advocate

Reducing the gender gap

International Women's Day is a time for inspiration and change. Every year since 1911, this global day marks the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while calling to accelerate women's equality. For this year's Bass Coast event our theme is embracing cultural diversity.

As the council continues to reduce the gender pay-gap, we also recognise the rich cultural diversity of women in our workplace and the community, and their journey to equality. Together we can create a world where difference is valued and honoured.

Hear stories from women

Please join us to hear stories from women within our community and be inspired by our keynote speaker Div Pillay, CEO of MindTribes and Co-Founder of social enterprise, Culturally Diverse Women, plus Guest Speaker, Nicky Chung, CEO of Australian Vietnamese Women's Association, President of Rotary Club Wonthaggi and Deputy Chair of Bass Coast Health.

This event is not just for people who identify as women: everybody is welcome. International Women's Day is a time for us all, regardless of gender identity, to acknowledge the progress that women have made towards equality - while remembering there is still much to do. Achieving equality, building allyship and dismantling damaging stereotypes is as important for men as it is for women, so we welcome everyone to attend.

Increasing equality

Bass Coast Shire Council CEO, Ali Wastie, said, "Council celebrates any opportunity to embrace and empower all communities in Bass Coast in their diversity. This event will bring to life our mission to increase equality and appreciate all our uniqueness."

"Our International Women's Day event underpins the Healthy and Inclusive Communities Community Aspiration of the Bass Coast Community Vision 2041 created with residents last year. It embodies our goal to be caring, connected and welcome all people, celebrating and supporting diversity plus uniqueness." Ms Wastie said.

Ending discrimination

Ms Wastie added, "Gender inequality is not experienced in the same way by all women. All elements of identity - including race, geography, sexuality and disability - influence how we experience the world, personally and professionally. Yet we know that diverse teams are better at solving problems, which is vital as we tackle the climate emergency and reconnect post-pandemic."

"Embracing cultural diversity is essential in challenging stereotypes and promoting societal change. Gender equality is a key pillar of this. Ending discrimination and bias - consciously and unconsciously - is a key priority for council, as we end inequality across our entire community." Ms Wastie said.

Event tickets

Bass Coast Shire Council sincerely thanks our sponsors Bass Coast Health, Phillip Island Nature Parks and Westernport Water for their continued support. Tickets for Bass Coast International Women's Day: Embracing Cultural Diversity go on sale Monday 6 February at 9am.

Event details

• Date: Thursday, 9 March 2023
• Time: 12 noon to 2.30 pm
• Venue: Phillip Island Winery, 414 Berrys Beach Rd, Ventnor VIC 3922
• Tickets*: $35 per person (includes two course meal and speakers)
• Buy from: Eventbrite - Bass Coast International Women's Day website

On sale Monday 6 February at 9am, limited availability.

Keynote Speaker, Div Pillay

CEO of Mind Tribes, Co-Founder of Culturally Diverse Women (CWD), Board Director of Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, podcast host and speaker. Div is an expert in race and cultural inclusion, backed by behavioural economics, psychology and qualitative data research methods. Prior to founding MindTribes in 2012, Div spent 14 years in People & Culture roles working across Australia, Asia and South Africa.

She is named as one of the 100 Women of Influence, 2018 (AFR & Qantas), has served on the Board of STREAT, is currently on the Board of VicHealth, is the National Chair of D&I, American Chamber of Commerce. Div is listed in 2021, as one of the 25 Global Influencers by the AACSB International, the world's largest global business education alliance. For more information, visit Linkedin website or ICMI website.

In 2022, Nicky was appointed the CEO of the Australian Vietnamese Women's Association, leading a team of over 300 employees to provide health and community care services

Guest Speaker, Nicky Chung

CEO of Australian Vietnamese Women's Association, President of Rotary Club Wonthaggi, Deputy Chair of Bass Coast Health and Board of 3mFM. Nicky Chung joined the Bass Coast community in early 2019 and has since made it home - where her heart is. She is the current President of the Rotary Club of Wonthaggi, Deputy Chair of Bass Coast Health, and board member for 3mFM community radio.

After the Vietnam War, Nicky and her family of six fled their home country, leaving behind their loved ones, taking a risk in the hope of finding a better life. It may have started with a perilous boat trip, but the end result has been the opportunity to make the most of living in the greatest country in the world, Australia.

In 2022, Nicky was appointed the CEO of the Australian Vietnamese Women's Association where she now leads a team of over 300 employees to provide health and community care services to other migrants of all ages and genders, from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

For more information contact communications@basscoast.vic.gov.au.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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