2021 has been our best year yet!
This year Women of Influence delivered 4 fantastic events all in the theme of giving back – and the last event of the event calendar was another fabulous success in achieving our mission to CONNECT, LEARN & GROW.
Almost 300 business professionals gathered at the RACV Royal Pines Resort to celebrate the annual Women of Influence (WOI) high tea and business bubbles, this time with an exciting theme and rare opportunity to hear about wildlife conservation.
Continuing with the 2021 theme of ‘giving back’, the event showcased ‘Women in Wildlife’ featuring those who are leading the way in research, conservation and ensuring the future of native Australian wildlife.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it”, a quote by global explorer Robert Swan OBE, read by the event’s host, TV presenter and koala champion Candice Dixon.
Candice then welcomed to the stage Jayme Cuttriss, CEO of the National Trust of Australia Queensland; Dr Michael Pyne, Senior Vet of Currumbin Wildlife Hospital; Sarah Eccleston, koala specialist & wildlife expert at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Bunji – the cutest ambassador for his koala species.
As an exciting surprise, guests were also treated to a special guest appearance from Bunji – the cutest ambassador for his koala species.
We learned all about the treatment, rehabilitation and release programs for koalas and other wildlife at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, and what simple things we can all do to protect these precious creatures.
It was shocking to hear that there is a real threat of koalas becoming extinct by 2050, but also encouraging to know that these superhumans are actually delivering an effective vaccine program to control the dangerous disease they face.
This event offered not only a focus on saving the wildlife and our planet, but the usual mix of qualified presenters, and inspiring stories. We were inspired by Jayme Cuttriss’s story of becoming CEO overnight, faced with the challenge of bushfire disaster followed by the pandemic.
“I had to loosen my grip and become adaptable all while being a Mum navigating through covid, said Jayme. “As an organisation, we pivoted from being a tourism operator to then focusing on urgent environmental action.”
Guests learned such interesting facts about the plight of wildlife and our planet, but also how to be present and deal with what is in front of us. “We don’t agonise about the natural world ending, instead we choose to focus on what we can do now to make an impact,” said Jayme.
It feels so good to give back to our local community in various ways. Don’t ever think that you can’t make a difference because you absolutely can.
“The mission of Women of Influence is to provide a forum for businesswomen to connect with others, learn from qualified presenters, and be motivated by the experience,” said Georgia Lane, WOI Founder, and President. “I am so proud that as a committee we have all worked hard to deliver 4 amazing events in 2021 despite the challenges, plus it’s an added bonus to be able to give back and have an impact on the world we live in.”
