International Women's Day Lunch hosted by Bunbury Geographe CCI

Name: International Women's Day Lunch hosted by Bunbury Geographe CCI
Start: 2026-03-06T12:00:00+0800
End: 2026-03-06T14:30:00+0800
Location: Saint Aidan Wines

Fri, 6 Mar, 12pm - 2:30pm AWST

Saint Aidan Wines

Ferguson WA, Australia

Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce & Industry

248 followers · Contact host

Description

Join the Bunbury Geographe CCI for an International Women's Day Lunch hosted at Saint Aidan Wines in Ferguson Valley. UN Women Australia Announced that this year's theme for International Women's Day is Balance the Scales. The theme is set to highlight the urgent need to ensure fair, inclusive, and accessible justice for every woman and girl.

In this lunchtime session, our speakers and panel will explore how workplaces and leaders can take practical, meaningful steps to support and safeguard employees who may be experiencing challenging circumstances.

The event will open with a short address to set the tone, followed by a facilitated panel discussion. The panel will be moderated by Blair Stubna, who supports the Bunbury Geographe CCI Women in Business Portfolio.

Please note that tickets include the event content and a two-course lunch.

With thanks to our Sponsors:

Major Supporter: Edith Cowan University

General Supporter: Wespine

Our Speakers

Leah Rando-Poller, Owner & Director, Kids in the Middle

Leah Rando-Poller founded Kids In The Middle to help families navigate separation, school transitions, and shared parenting challenges. Her approach combines compassion with structure, ensuring that children feel supported and parents have practical tools to guide them through change. With more than three decades of experience as a teacher and school leader, Leah understands both how schools operate and how children respond emotionally to change. This background allows her to design effective handover models and support strategies that truly benefit students, families, and schools.
Michelle Woosnam, Co-Founder & Chairperson, South West Aboriginal Women's Collective | Director, Peppitree Consulting

Michelle Woosnam is a proud Banjima and Ballardong Noongar woman and a leading advocate for Aboriginal women and girls in the South West of Western Australia. Having lived on Wardandi Country for more than 30 years, Michelle’s leadership is grounded in lived experience, community connection, and cultural strength. She is the Co-founder and Chairperson of the South West Aboriginal Women’s Collective (SWAWC) - a rapidly growing movement elevating Aboriginal women’s voices through regional Roundtables, Roadshows, youth leadership initiatives, and community-driven advocacy. Under her leadership, SWAWC has become a key voice in advancing equity, education, safety, and economic empowerment across the region. In April 2024, Michelle represented SWAWC internationally at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York, where she delivered a formal statement on gender equity in education for Aboriginal girls. Her contribution placed the experiences of South West women on the global stage and strengthened international networks for Indigenous rights and social justice. Michelle is also the Director of Peppitree Consulting, where she works with organisations, schools, and community groups to strengthen cultural capability, inclusive leadership, and trauma-informed practice. Her work is grounded in lived experience, relationship-building, and a strong belief that safe, supportive workplaces are critical to women’s wellbeing and long-term success. Michelle coordinates the Grounded Women’s Wellbeing Project at Milligan - recognised as a finalist in the Alike WA Awards for its impact on healing, connection, and community leadership - and mentors parents returning to the workforce through Parent Pathways at Waalitj. She also serves on the Boards of Milligan and the South West Women’s Health and Information Centre. Recently, Michelle has embarked on a career transition into the mining industry, returning to her grandfather’s Country as a mentor within the Banjima Land Rehabilitation Project. This role brings together culture, care, and workplace responsibility - supporting trainees and employees to thrive while balancing work, family, and community obligations. Recognised as a powerful communicator, community connector, and emerging national leader, Michelle continues to champion the rights, stories, and futures of Aboriginal women and girls across Australia.
Ali White, CEO, Harbour

Ali commenced as CEO of Harbour in January 2020 and has held previous CEO and Senior Management positions across health, housing, aged care, disability, mental health, unemployment and social enterprises. She holds academic qualifications in Nursing, an MBA and a Diploma of Governance.
Merinda March, CEO, Communicare

Merinda is a highly experienced CEO with extensive management history within the health care, community and not-for-profit sectors. She is a passionate advocate for social justice and has dedicated the latter part of her career to family domestic violence, youth justice, alcohol and other drugs, counselling and mental health services. With a strong focus on business development and a passion for collective leadership and social impact, she is committed to the growth of Communicare programs and services, which will ensure that the organisation is embedded in the communities it serves. Throughout her career, Merinda has aligned herself with purpose-driven organisations who demonstrate a strong commitment to reconciliation. Merinda describes herself as reconciliation ally. She is a social justice, mental health and lived/living experience advocate. Merinda is a Board Member and Secretary of Western Australian Network of Alcohol & Other Drug Agencies (WANADA). Board Member of Community Employers WA (CEWA). She has a Bachelor of Counselling and Bachelor of Applied Psychology from The University of Notre Dame Australia.