Friday 3 May 9am
Company Annual General Meeting
Company General Meeting
These meetings will be held in the River Room Level 3 of the Conference Centre.
Club Representatives and Silent Observers are all welcome.
Friday 3 May 12.30pm
Federation Meeting
Best Practice Awards for Programme and Membership.
National Presidents' Reports
General Business
All Club representatives and silent observers are welcome.
Meeting room River Room on level 3 of the Conference Centre.
Friday 3rd May 6.00pm
Friendship Dinner and Welcome Ceremony
The weekend starts in the Visions room. Meet up with old friends and make new friends as we enjoy the friendship of our fellow sisters. This indoor-outdoor area allows you to enjoy an Aussie BBQ in this beautiful setting, enjoying the autumn evening and smell the ocean. Attendance is for conference registrants only and cost is included in full registration. Cash Bar.
Saturday 4th May
Day 1 of the Conference
9.00 - 11.00 Session 1
Opening Session
Welcome
Keynote Speaker – Cathy Hunt – Executive Producer Women of the World (WoW ) Australia
11.30 - 1.30 Session 2
Being an Effective Global Voice
Being an effective advocate for women and girls locally and globally.
Panel Director
Leigh Ellwood Brown, Soroptimist International Director of Advocacy 2024-25/ Chair of Global Impact Committee
Speakers
Helen Dalley-Fisher – Convenor Equality Rights Alliance (ERA )
Dr Donnell Davis – SISEAP Programme Director, President United Nations Association Australia (UNAA)
2.30 - 4.30 Session 3
A Climate for Change - The Power of Community and Commitment
Soroptimists are the change agents for the environment, be that change.
Panel Director
Cesarina Gigante, Programme Communications Co-ordinator
Speakers
Siew Yong Gnanalingam, President Soroptimist International (SI)
Professor Susan Harris Rimmer, Professor Griffith Law School, Director, Policy Innovation Hub
Saradha Narayanan, Assistant Programme Convenor SISEAP
Sunday 5th May
Day 2 of the Conference
9.00 - 10.30 Session 4
Digital Communication – The Good the Bad & the Ugly
Panel Director:
Ralda Forzin – SISWP ICT Liaison 2000 – 2004
Speakers:
- Sheila Byard OAM – Recognised by Victorian Government as a change agent (2017), Member UNAA & Soroptimist
- Kate vanderVoort – Specialist Consultant on Marketing and Community Building through digital platforms and Podcaster
11.00 - 12.30 Session 5
This session will focus on the past and those who have served the Federation for the past biennium leading up to the changeover to a new President and her vision for the future.
Session 6 - Workshops
Commencing at 1.30pm
Three themes, choice of 2 workshops per theme, 1.30 pm all the 1 workshops will run.
2.30 - 3.00pm Afternoon tea
3.00 pm All the 2 workshops will run.
HARNESSING THE CHANGES
1. Modern Membership
2. Using the Tools Effectively (website, google, trello board, social media)
ADVOCACY AND ACTION
1. Being an Effective Soroptimist Advocate
2. Programme Action - Be the Change
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
1. Violence/DV/Coercive Control – MATE – Griffith UniversityThe bystander approach focuses not on the perpetrator or victim of violence rather, on what we can all do to prevent violence.
2. Cancer – Dee Handyside - The Silk Rags ProjectAn award-winning approach to talking to those diagnosed with serious illness. Dee explores this topic from different angles through dialogue and song, and through personal experience.
Sunday evening - Gala Dinner
Time to dress up, bring that unique you to the Gala dinner. Celebrate being a Soroptimist, enjoy the night as we celebrate all the best of being a Soroptimist.
Venue - the Showroom on Level 5