RCCIWA Members Forum Update – June 13^th and 14^th 2019
RCCIWA members would have received their invitation on Monday to the June RCCIWA Members Forum being held in Perth. We are really looking forward to the Forum and have two days full of valuable information, advocacy opportunities and excellent networking. For our members and their representatives wishing to book their attendance please go to TryBooking. 

Below is what we have planned:
Thursday June 13th – Parliament House – 8.15am to 2.30pm – Advocacy Day
A privileged opportunity to meet in Parliament House, where Members of Parliament, including key Ministers and Party Leaders will spend quality time with us talking openly about the issues and topics that are of concern or priority for your town or region. A big thanks to our host for the day,  the Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA. As of today we have confirmation that Minister MacTiernan and Treasurer Wyatt will be coming along to speak with us, with is great news.

Thursday June 13th – NAB, Perth –  5.30pm to 7.30pm – Business After Hours
Generously hosted by NAB and showcasing beautiful produce and beverages from regional WA, the Business after Hours will see a gathering of RCCIWA members from all over regional WA as well as stakeholders and regional supporters. A great opportunity to network, connect and catch up. A reminder to all of you that RSVP’s are essential.

Friday June 14th – The Mercure Hotel Perth – 8.30am to 3.30pm – Operational Day
With a focus on events, activities, challenges and opportunities for all of our members, this day will comprise of workshops, speakers and presentations by members. Topics such as revenue streams, place activation, communication methods and building a sustainable Chamber are some of the topics to be covered. This is a day of incredible value for our members as it gives you ideas to learn from (or steal), share what your Chamber is up to, strengthen you regional Chamber network and also understand that you have a vast regional network of supporters available. We are pleased to inform you that we have secured Dean Cracknell, the CEO of the Town Teams Movement to come along and talk about place and retail activation and the role our members have to play in this.

Regional Australia Institute Event – Regions Rising – A table of ten perhaps – Wednesday June 12th
The inaugural Regions Rising national events series in 2019 is specifically designed to lift and amplify engagement with our national market to ensure even better outcomes for regional Australia. It creates a national platform for regional leaders to engage directly with key industry representatives, government, political leaders and the community sector on the most important opportunities and challenges facing regions. You will notice we have included some information on this event in our newsletter, and as it is being held the day before our RCCIWA Members Forum, we thought that our members may want to attend this as well. If we can book a table of ten, there is a discount, and we already have a few members who are keen – so if you are interested please email me and I will coordinate a group booking.

Regional WA winner at 2019 Telstra Australian Business Women’s Awards
Thursday 16 May 2019 – WA business woman, Jodie Silvester, Managing Director and Founder of KAS Accounting Solutions, is the 2019 Telstra Australian Business Women’s Small Business Award winner. With her business based in Kununurra, Ms Silvester provides individuals, businesses and non-for-profit organisations in the East Kimberley region with accounting services that would have otherwise been unavailable in these remote areas.

Now in its 24th year, the Telstra Business Women’s Awards shine a light on women who have challenged the status quo, done things their own way, and achieved success in business. Alex Badenoch, Telstra’s Group Executive of Transformation & People, congratulated Ms Silvester and the national winners who represent some of Australia’s most inspiring leaders commending them for their drive to challenge the status quo and pave the way for future generations. “This year’s finalists represent a diverse range of industries and backgrounds, and the judges were particularly impressed with their unwavering focus and determination to pursue their passions and achieve success in their own way,” she said. “Ms Silvester is an exceptional leader who has achieved so much in such a short amount of time. Not only is she dedicated to helping her staff and her clients, but she also continues to selflessly donate her time to her local community. “The judges were particularly impressed with Ms Silvester’s sheer determination to provide her services to an area in need, and her ability to develop a robust business and establish herself as an integral part of the community.”

The full list of the 2019 Telstra Business Women’s Awards national winners are:

• Business Woman of the Year Award and Medium & Large Business Award: Natasha Chadwick, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, NewDirection Care, Bellmere (QLD)
• Small Business Award: Jodie Silvester, Managing Director and Founder, KAS Accounting Solutions (WA)
• Public Sector and Academia Award: Debbie Platz, Assistant Commissioner, Australian Federal Police (QLD)
• For Purpose & Social Enterprise Award: Dushyanthi Thangiah, Chief Executive Officer, Yumba-Meta Housing Association (QLD)
• Emerging Leader Award: Genevieve Clay-Smith, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Bus Stop Films (NSW)

Ms Badenoch said the Telstra Business Women’s Awards play a vital role in raising the profile of women in business. “For 24 years, Telstra has recognised outstanding women in business and provided a platform for them to progress their careers and business ideas, as well as build a support network of like-minded people to connect with,” she said.

Nominations are open year-round. Help recognise an outstanding business woman across Australia by nominating her - or yourself - today for 2020: telstrabusinesswomensawards.com/nominate/

Curtin Ignition Program Applications Now Open
The Curtin Ignition Program is an intensive entrepreneurial education program that runs from 25th – 30th August, 2019. The program is for aspiring entrepreneurs, academics and corporate innovators to trial and prepare business ideas for the commercial environment. Curtin Ignition is suited to founders of early stage, high-growth business ventures and people with new ideas that have the potential to become high-growth, worldwide businesses.

The program total cost is $3,250 and comprises of a blend of keynote and workshop teaching sessions, small group mentoring, panel, clinic and networking.

Delegates will prepare a 10-minute business plan pitch which they will deliver to an expert panel and receive feedback.   

Click here to apply now