Women in Media held its fourth national conference at Bond University on September 9 and 10. Check out the highlights.
Selfie time. It’s a national conference tradition.
Official Welcome: Day One
Women in Media co-chair Kathy McLeish welcomes delegates. Photo:: Meg Keene.
One of the best in the business, Kay McGrath, is our emcee. Photo: Meg Keene.
Bond University Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Brailsford welcomes the delegates to the campus for the fourth national conference. Photo:: Meg Keene
Professor Keitha Dunstan, who is a proud descendant of the Mandandanji people of south-west Queensland, delivers the Acknowledgement of Country. Photo: Meg Keene.
Women in Media’s patron Victoria Laurie addresses the delegates. Photo: Meg Keene.
Living the Story
Even as media raced to keep up with the hourly updates of a global pandemic, news gatherers found themselves jumping their own hurdles as COVID struck at the heart of our industry. Content creators were forced to do the unthinkable, working from home – often in unhealthy isolation.
Dr Libby Sander shares her insights on living the story. Photo: Meg Keene.
The industry was turned on its head, with new tech challenges to overcome and production done from living rooms and kitchen tables. Initially, the work-life balance was a blur and for those separated from mentors, it seemed the only advantage was that the coffee tasted better. But has it all been bad? Or have we seen benefits?
Dr Libby Sander. Photo: Meg Keene
Dr Libby Sander examined global research into the COVID impact on the media industry, future hybrid working models, the science behind why Zoom meetings are exhausting and talks about how to ‘clear’ your brain and set up boundaries to help handle this work-from-home evolution.
Career Changers
With so much disruption in the past couple of years, how do you navigate change in your own career? If you need advice on seeking out promotions and negotiating pay rises, tips on leadership, creating your own opportunities or embarking on a completely different career path, this panel of women was here to help you overcome those challenges and will discuss the things you should be asking yourself before making a big leap; the risk factors to consider and the upside to a career change. The full story.
Career changers Beverley McGarvey, Keitha Dunstan and Kylie Blucher, with moderator: Victoria Laurie. Photo: Meg Keene
Nine Queensland and Northern NSW Managing Director Kylie Blucher. Photo: Meg Keene.
Beverley McGarvey is the Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President of ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand. Photo: Meg Keene.
Metaverse Matters
With immediate access to a global audience and a rapidly changing media landscape, it’s a crucial time to examine what lies ahead for women working in media, as content creation in all forms takes an unexpected turn.
Dr Jeffrey Brand takes us through the Metaverse. Photo: Meg Keene.
Dr Jeffrey Brand looked to the future of virtual, social, and traditional media and demystify what the metaverse actually means for women working in the media. The full story.
Dr Jeffrey Brand shares the mystery of the Metaverse. Photo: Meg Keene
Pacific Women
Rosi Doviverata is the Acting Publisher/CEO of the Fiji Sun, President of the Fijian Media Association and co-founder of Women in Media Fiji. Photo: Meg Keene
Rosi Doviverata is the Acting Publisher/CEO of the Fiji Sun, President of the Fijian Media Association and co-founder of Women in Media Fiji. Photo: Meg Keene
Champions of Change
We heard from a panel of women who have not only broken big stories but have ensured important issues stay in the spotlight. They reflected on how to give people a voice as well as exposing corporate, societal, and political wrongdoing. The headlines they’ve created have highlighted the importance of advocacy, protection for whistleblowers and getting cut-through when pushing for change. The full story.
The formidable Narelda Jacobs. Photo: Emma Brasier
Naomi Moran, a Nyangbal, Arakwal and Dunghutti woman from New South Wales, is the General Manager of Australia’s only independent Indigenous newspaper, the Koori Mail. Photo: Emma Brasier
Champions of change: Virginia Tapscott, Naomi Moran, Adele Ferguson and Narelda Jacobs. Photo: Emma Brasier
Award-winning journalist Adele Ferguson. Photo: Meg Keene
Champion of change Virginia Tapscott. Photo: Emma Brasier
Workshops
Burning Questions
Former UK Channel 4’s Editor-at-Large Dorothy Byrne is passionate about working to develop the careers of women in media. After many decades of advocating for truth and ethics in the media, the veteran journalist shared her advice for a successful career, no matter what stage of the journey you’re at.
Former UK Channel 4’s Editor-at-Large Dorothy Byrne. Photo: Meg Keene.
Delegates applaud Dorothy Byrne. Photo: Emma Brasier
The formidable Dorothy Byrne. Photo: Emma Brasier.
Wonder Women
Panellists talked about their career paths, highlights, low points and gave tips on navigating a career in media and how to truly connect with an audience. Their anecdotes were packed with advice, from the importance of mentors to juggling work/life balance; taking risks and the lessons that they have learned the hard way.
Wonder women: Lisa Muxworthy, Annabelle Hickson and Tangiora Hinaki, with moderator Emma Macdonald. Photo: Emma Brasier.
News,.com.au editor-in-chief Lisa Muxworthy, Photo: Emma Brasier.
Annabelle Hickson is the Editor-in-Chief and publisher of Galah. Photo: Emma Brasier.
Women in Media Canberra convenor and HerCanberra Associate Editor Emma Macdonald OAM. Photo: Emma Brasier
Special Address
Delegates heard from Jo Puccini – Head of Investigations and Current Affairs at the ABC. Photo: Emma Brasier
Delegates heard from Jo Puccini – Head of Investigations and Current Affairs at the ABC. Photo: Emma Brasier
Mental Wealth
After the challenging life circumstances many women have faced during the pandemic, psychologist Dr Peta Stapleton gave practical tips on how to move beyond resilience to reclaim creativity and meaning in their professional and personal lives.
Dr Peta Stapleton addresses the delegates. Photo: Meg Keene
Bond University academic Dr Peta Stapleton tackled the issue of mental wealth. Photo: Emma Brasier.
Friday Drinks
Fashion editor and jazz singer Glynis Traill-Nash delivered a special performance for delegates. It’s always a highlight of the national conference.
The uber-talented Glynis Traill-Nash. Photo: Meg Keene.
Official Welcome: Day Two
The beautiful Bond University campus. Photo: Meg Keene.
Women in Media Canberra convenor Emma Macdonald. Photo: Meg Keene.
Women in Media Australia co-chair Kathy McLeish. Photo: Meg Keene.
Relaunch Your Career
Women in Media co-chair Kathy McLeish presented key takeouts from a 2022 WiM report into industry research on challenges facing women in media.
Jude Batrac, Alice Gorman, and Kathy McLeish. Photo: Meg Keene.
She was joined by project leads ‘people connector’ Jude Batrac and high-power problem-solver Michelle Francis, and Relaunch participants Alice Gorman and Ashlynne McGhee on the lessons they learned from the career-changing program, which are take-home lessons for every woman in media.
Ashlynne McGhee and Michelle Francis. Photo: Meg Keene.
Let’s Get Loud
Newsrooms today are often made up of more female journalists than males, and female students dominate journalism tertiary courses. Yet, most positions of news leadership are still in the grip of men. And data reveals that news produced by contemporary journalists is ‘overwhelmingly about men’.
Academic and journalist Dr Kathryn Shine. Photo: Meg Keene.
Numerous studies from around the world have found that men comprise about 70 per cent of people quoted in news coverage. Australia is no exception. Why is this so? And how can journalists and other media professionals turn this situation around? Academic and journalist Dr Kathryn Shine spoke about her work which aims to actively increase women’s voices in the news.
A thought-provoking address by Dr Kathryn Shine. Photo: Emma Brasier.
Money Matters
With finances front and centre as the pandemic unfolded, people were desperate for independent and trustworthy information – and personal finance expert and author Nicole Pedersen–McKinnon gave it to them. Setting herself a mission to help, her fast and funny social media explainers went viral, reaching nearly a million Aussies.
Women in Media Queensland convenor Kate Limon introduces the speaker. Photo: Meg Keene.
Diagnosed with breast cancer early last year, then a marital split, Nicole is even more passionate about being a financially-secure female. Her session on expanding your financial knowledge to create wealth – including easy, faster and cheaper strategies to obliterate a mortgage – also removed the mystery (and misogyny) from money… and help future-proof your life.
Nicole Pedersen–McKinnon shares financial insights with conference delegates. Photo: Meg Keene.
Nicole Pedersen–McKinnon shares financial insights with conference delegates. Photo: Emma Brasier.
Career Pivot
During her distinguished career in media, journalist turned business leader Marina Go knew the importance of thinking ahead. Strategically plotting her career path was key to ensuring her skillset remained diverse, enabling her to maximise future opportunities.
Women in Media NSW co-convenor Jo Sanders introduces Marina Go. Photo: Meg Keene.
Having written a book, completed an MBA and then embarked on a board career, Marina explains that while women in media have in-demand skills – such as an ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, communicate effectively and digest a lot of information quickly – career planning and upskilling is essential when it comes to making a professional move.
Marina Go addresses delegates. Photo: Meg Keene.
Navigating Identity
Change comes in many shapes and for women can be a double-edged sword as they endeavour to find that work-life balance. This next panel has a depth of experience in navigating career stages and fulfilling women’s potential beyond the traditional roles of carers, wives, mothers, and grandmothers. Perhaps most importantly, they will reveal how to avoid burnout (and ensure longevity!
Women in Media NSW co-convenor Skye Rugless introduces the panel. Photo: Meg Keene.
Our speakers discussed why we need a greater focus on women’s development and potential; how ‘mature women’ are talked about within the media and will give tips on creating the life you want, at whatever life stage you’re at.
The wonderful moderator Cath Webber. Photo: Meg Keene.
Christine Jackman, Sam Trattles, and Cath Webber. Photo: Meg Keene.
Karen Koh. Photo: Meg Keene.
Faith Agugu and Karen Koh. Photo: Meg Keene.
Life Lessons
Two of the country’s most influential and inspirational journalists Leigh Sales and Lisa Millar quizzed each other about their journeys – from how they have tackled perfectionism and fear to navigating change and finding purpose.
They have been great mates for decades and it shows. Photo: Meg Keene
Leigh Sales and Lisa Millar. Photo: Meg Keene.