Empowering WA’s regional women leaders to drive change

Regional women leaders in Western Australia have honed their advocacy skills for greater community impact through a masterclass series delivered by Curtin University as part of its ongoing partnership with not-for-profit organisation, the Rural, Regional, Remote Women’s Network (The RRR Network).

Tailored exclusively for the RRR Network’s Ambassadors, the two-day masterclasses also marked the one-year anniversary of this leadership group which was launched on International Women’s Day in 2023.

Officially opened by the WA Minister for Agriculture and Food, Forestry and Small Business, the Honourable Jackie Jarvis, the series involved RRR Ambassadors representing communities from the Kimberley to the Great Southern and covered a wide range of topics including cultural capability, financial literacy, strategic communication and effective government engagement.

Combining academic excellence and practical wisdom, the program was designed and led by the Head of Curtin’s School of Management and Marketing Professor Julia Richardson, the Director of Student Life and Community Linda Adnyana and the CEO of the RRR Network of WA Kendall Galbraith.

Professor Julia Richardson said the program aimed to help Ambassadors identify and understand common issues impacting women in their communities.

“Women in regional areas face unique challenges and these Ambassadors have huge amounts to give,” Professor Richardson said.

“The objectives of the course were to help them shine a light on barriers and opportunities, learn who has the power to affect change, engage in important conversations and navigate a better future.”

RRR Network CEO Kendall Galbraith said the role of the Ambassador is to amplify the voices of rural, regional and remote women on big issues, such as limited access to childcare services and employment opportunities.

“We understood for us to achieve a strong, connected and influential network of women we needed women in every region of WA who are the eyes and ears of their community on the RRR Network team,” Mrs Galbraith said.

“This bespoke course supports the Ambassadors to lift their leadership capability when carrying out their role.”

Western Australia’s RRR Ambassadors represent the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne, Mid West, Goldfields, Wheatbelt, Perth, Peel, South West and Great Southern and their stories can be found here.