The Women in Business Workshop was held on the 19th February and I found it to be a very successful event all round. It was initiated by the Ravensthorpe Regional Chamber of Commerce, facilitated by Lesley Parker from GEACC and funded by Aus Industry. 

We had about 15 women of Hopetoun attend and received a few apologies for the day as some ladies that had previously intended to attend were called to work or other priorities on the day. 

We did not have any attendances on the day from the Ravensthorpe women unfortunately and we look forward to seeing more women at the next Womens Business and Networking Forum to be held on the 1st April. 

We identified some needs of women, the business arena and community on the day. We spent a lot of time on introductions, delivering information and available resources and identifying needs as a whole. We discussed the amazing support and opportunities available to anyone that wants to go into business or make a positive difference in the community. 

The support can be provided through the RRCC, 

Lesley Parker –GEACC, 
Ian Gardner –SBC Esperance, 
the Hopetoun and Ravensthorpe Telecentre 

and local groups such as the 
Hopetoun Progress Association and the 
Ravensthorpe Progress Association. 

Some of the issues raised were sustaining people in our community by looking at issues within our schools ie; Middle schooling and funding for our schools, training, businesses needed and goods and services provided by current businesses, Tourism and how our towns are presented and maintained. 

One of the greater concerns was issues concerning the Ravensthorpe Shire for the Hopetoun area, particularly with the Telecentre which is the backbone of education and training in the town of Hopetoun and other groups that have needed the support of the Shire to move forward. 

I personally found the women on the day to be very passionate about making positive changes and I was impressed at the number of highly educated and experienced women that we have in our community. 

I would like to thank all of the women that attended and for their valuable contribution to the event and the progress in the future. A special thank you to the young Mum that attended with her baby and her valuable presence and contribution and the women that were very interested in business, further education, supporting youth and people in general. 

If you are interested in being involved which this dynamic group of women and an opportunity to start a business or make a difference to the community please feel free to call me Sharon Verhaar on 0409 370 625 or Lesley Parker GEACC on 0407 444 634.