Join Dr Niki Vincent, Louise Hobbs and Councillor Wendy Bywaters in a casual conversation as they share their inspiring journeys for Feel Good Friday, hosted by Kaniva and District Progress Association on Friday 15th September at 5pm.
Dr Niki Vincent is the Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner and a high-profile speaker. Niki is visiting Kaniva as part of her Wimmera regional tour.
Niki is an inspiring woman, who left home at 15 and married at 18. Her own experience of gender discrimination as a single mum of four children drove her to lead the fight for equality.
Niki commenced as Victoria’s first Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner in 2020. She oversees the implementation of the Gender Equality Act 2020 and plays a key leadership role in promoting gender equality in the community and workplaces.
Niki has a wealth of experience in gender equality and organisational leadership. This includes serving as the South Australian Commissioner for Equal Opportunity from 2016 – 2020.
Prior to that, Niki was CEO of the Leaders Institute of South Australia and a member of the Remuneration Tribunal of South Australia. She has established two successful not-for-profit organisations and has led major programs of academic research.
Niki holds an appointment as an Adjunct Associate Professor in UniSA’s Business School and is a board member of InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence and the Brave Foundation, which supports teenage parents.
Chair of Kaniva & District Progress Association Marlene Carter said, “We are very fortunate to have Dr Niki Vincent visit Kaniva, and we thought this was a great opportunity to open this meeting to the general public.”
Niki will speak alongside two other local inspiring women, Louise Hobbs and Councillor Wendy Bywaters, in a Feel Good Friday event as part of KDPA’s commitment to ‘facilitate community development and encourage a feeling of civic pride.’
Louise Hobbs is the 2023 Wimmera Agricultural Societies Association winner for the Victorian Agricultural Society Rural Ambassador Award. She was also selected as one of the 2022 ABC Trailblazer winners. Previously a recipient of several gender equality programs and scholarships, she now advocates for rural education in her subjects of agricultural, science and business management. She is presently the chair of the Young Rural Regional and Remote Women’s Advocacy Panel for the National Rural Women’s Coalition.
Councillor Wendy Bywaters is a graduate of the Wimmera Development Association’s Business Leaders Program. She is a Councillor for Hindmarsh Shire Council and also served in 2012 – 2016, which included two years as Deputy Mayor. Wendy is passionate about rural and remote communities, more women in leadership roles, equality and young people. She has spent fifteen years serving on the board of the Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network.
The Feel Good Friday event will be held at Little Guys Pizza and Cafe. It is organised by KDPA and sponsored by West Wimmera Health Service. People are invited to join with Niki, Louise and Wendy in a casual conversation where they will share their journeys. This is a free event and open to all members of the general public. People are kindly asked to RSVP for catering purposes by Thursday 14th September to Helen Hobbs, 0429 888 250 or by email to kanivaprogress@gmail.com.
This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 6 September 2023.
