Initiatives / Women Connect
Women Connect
Welcome to Women Connect, a new initiative from Be.Bendigo, created to empower and uplift regional women.
At Women Connect, we believe that when women come together, incredible things happen.
Our purpose is to create a space where regional professional women can find the support, inspiration, and connections they need to thrive.
Expect a range of events and initiatives designed to spark meaningful conversations, foster collaboration, and celebrate your achievements.
Being part of Women Connect means being part of a movement that champions your success and fuels your ambitions. Join us, and let’s make a difference together!
Vision
Women Connect is a sub-branch of Be.Bendigo. The collective aims to provide various initiatives for regional professional women to connect, collaborate, and thrive in their respective careers.
Purpose
Our purpose is to foster a supportive community where professional women can forge meaningful connections, exchange valuable insights, and empower one another to achieve personal and professional growth.
Values
Inclusion. Collaboration. Empowerment
Networking Luncheon with Lisa Gorman
We’re thrilled to invite you to the inaugural Women Connect event—a networking luncheon featuring Lisa Gorman, the visionary Founder of Gorman Clothing.
Hosted by the dynamic Bryley Savage as our MC, this event is your chance to connect with inspiring women, gain insights from a leading industry trailblazer, and enjoy a delightful two-course lunch at the Bendigo Jockey Club, Silks Functions Centre.
The event begins with a welcome glass on arrival, setting the stage for an afternoon of meaningful connections and powerful conversations. Lisa Gorman will share her journey of building one of Australia’s most iconic fashion brands, offering invaluable lessons and inspiration for professional at all stages of their careers.
This luncheon is also an opportunity to give back. We’re proud to support Annie North, with $5 from every ticket sale going to this important cause, along with proceeds from our raffle on the day.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to network, learn, and make a difference. Secure your spot and be part of something special!
- Date: Friday, October 11 2024
- Time: From 11.30 am
- Location: Bendigo Jockey Club, Silks Functions Centre
A one-woman operation when she launched her iconic brand, Gorman, Lisa Gorman leased a small green carpeted office that she remembers looked more like a detective office in a television sitcom than a fashion studio. She had one desk, one phone and fax machine (yes, fax machines were still being used) and a bulky computer with no internet connection. By 2003, Gorman was stocked in 55 retailers in Australia and 15 in Japan, and a year later in 2004 the first Gorman boutique opened on Chapel Street in Prahran. Nearly 20 years after launching her eponymous label, Gorman now has 40 stores across Australia and Lisa and her team are forever proud to dress those who dare to be themselves.
GOLD
Sponsors
The Venue
Held at the Bendigo Racecourse, Silks Events and Function Centre, it provides an exclusive venue with a stunning view. As a leading function venue in the area, they bring sophistication and style to every occasion. The dedicated team ensures that any special day is unforgettable, offering a seamless blend of elegance and personalised service. With a picturesque setting and versatile spaces, Silks is an ideal choice offering the perfect harmony of ambiance and hospitality in Bendigo.
At Silks Function Centre we are dedicated to ensuring that every guest experiences comfort and convenience. Our venue features signed disabled parking in the carpark area, with well maintained asphalt pathways that lead to a ramp access point into the function area. Inside, you will find wheelchair friendly entrances, accessible signed restrooms, and ample space for mobility aids. Our staff are also available to assist with certain requirements to ensure that your event is enjoyable and exclusive for all attendees.
Our SILVER Sponsors
Fundraising and Support to our Community
Supporting Annie North Inc.
Annie North supports women, children and young people who have
experienced family violence or intimate partner violence.
Annie North has been in operation since 1989, has a state-wide catchment
and is located within the Loddon region in Central Victoria.
The organisation is growing and is proud of the development of a “Core and
Cluster” 24-hour refuge facility, complementing their high-security refuge
and transitional properties. Annie North also provides the Family Violence
After Hours Response for the Loddon Region.
$5 per ticket sold will benefit Annie North Inc. in addition to a raffle on the day.
Other Initiatives
Regional Women’s Business Award
Presented by Bendigo Marketplace.
We must continue to play an important role in raising the profile of women in business across the Greater Bendigo region. This award recognises and rewards the determination, leadership, skillset and creativity of Greater Bendigo’s most inspirational business women. Applicants for this category must be a female business owner, operator or executive.
Bendigo Business Stories - Season 2
Welcome to Season 2 ‘Women Driving Positive Change’ as part of the Bendigo Business Stories podcast, proudly produced by Be.Bendigo and sponsored by McKern Steel.
McKern Steel is a leading supplier of high-quality structural steel for residential projects across Victoria. Located across three venues in Bendigo, they are dedicated to keeping their business regionally based. McKern Steel are also an active player in the community through the McKern Foundation, which is focused on contributing to community projects that benefit the health and wellbeing of youth.
This season is dedicated to celebrating women in our business community who are driving change, breaking barriers, and inspiring others with their passion and determination.
Join me, your host Kimberley Furness, as we talk to local women. We’ll dive into their journeys, exploring the challenges they’ve faced, the lessons they’ve learned, and the successes they’ve achieved along the way.
This season is about something more than just sharing their individual stories. It’s about recognising the invaluable contributions that women make to our community and our local economy every single day. It’s about celebrating their resilience, their creativity, and their commitment to excellence.
STAY IN TOUCH
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE THE FIRST INFORMED ABOUT OUR WOMEN CONNECT EVENTS AND INITIATIVES?