Читать книгу The Net Result - Book 4 - Lucille Jr. Orr - Страница 7

Lucille Orr takes this opportunity to thank the women who assisted the AEWN in its formative years.

The Executive Woman of the Year Award commenced in South Australia in 1987, with the addition of a Speakers Award from 1988. While working as a managing agent with MLC Life in 1990, Lucille gained the financial support of the Life company to expand the Network to all states of Australia.

As each branch opened, a co-ordinator was appointed. Seven of the pioneering co-ordinators were – or had been – associated with the visionary insurance firm, MLC Life.

The first branch beyond Adelaide was started by Claire Riddell in Mildura (Victoria), while in the South Australian Riverland, Maureen Francombe opened a branch by organising monthly dinner meetings. In mid 1991, Robyn Henderson launched the Sydney branch. This rapid expansion continued with the opening of a Rockhampton (Queensland) branch by Lynda Shaw and a Brisbane one by Lynette Palmen, assisted by Noela Anderson.

A Gold Coast branch was initiated by Mere Caesar and later the Brisbane and Gold Coast branches were co-ordinated by Wendy Rowell. In the Australian Capital Territory, the Canberra chapter opened with the help of Leanne Kirby and was continued by Sandie Brooke.

Hobart began with Patricia Miller’s support and continued with the help of Karen Gower. The Melbourne branch was commenced by Cindy Huband. The Northern Territory got into the act when Jan Townson and Maggie Sydenham began the Darwin Branch, while Leonie Todd initiated an Alice Springs branch.

At about the same time, a Whyalla (South Australia) branch was opened by Theresa Gregory with the help of Barbara Derham. Joan Bishop established a Perth (Western Australia) branch and this was later managed by Ann Alderson; while in Parramatta (West Sydney) Suzanne Knights opened a branch in March 1993.

Meanwhile, in Adelaide, Lucille Orr was to hand over the reins of the mother branch to Kathryn Casey, to enable Lucille to concentrate on the national role. Kathryn obtained a permanent position and Lucille’s personal assistant helped with the co-ordination of Adelaide Branch activities.

Along the way, two suburban branches had also been opened in Adelaide: Salisbury by Pat St Clair-Dixon, and in the Southern Vales by Jean Zocrafos.

Marie Hall, in Latrobe Valley (Victoria) opened a branch. By 1994 there were 19 active AEWN branches Australia wide.

On the International scene, too, the work of the Australian Executive Women’s Network was spreading.

Late in 1991, a branch was opened in Japan by Jaina Cavenett, who was later succeeded by Fusako Matsaki, with the support of Nobuko Kobayashi.

In 1992, Christina Sarraf formed a branch in Vienna (Austria), while in Hawaii Lynda Wooding got the AEWN off the ground. Then a branch in San Francisco (USA), with the help of Jillian Scott; and a branch in Malaysia was spearheaded by Chung Siak Eoi in 1994.

Back at headquarters, a sophisticated administration system was orchestrated to enable AEWN to continue its expansion to every corner of Australia – and beyond. There were already members in some remote areas like Kathryn, NT and as regional radio networks expressed a desire to expand their links with outback women, Lucille Orr developed enterprising methods of communication.

Times change; methods and philosophies need to adapt.

“Any living thing is consistently changing,” says Lucille. “The Network is a living entity. I must recognise the needs of all Australian women, and I must address those needs by utilising advancing technology. We all know that modern communication equipment is creating a shrinking world, but are we utilising this adequately?”

Lucille goes on to say that she believes the AEWN, with the guidance of its branch co-ordinators and the support of its major sponsors, can foster a business-based environment in which women can;

•form a consolidated front;

•continue to learn from male colleagues;

•be leaders in the veritable spectrum of activities in the 21st Century.