Previous seminars

2009 Indigenous Women's Mentoring Workshops

Throughout 2009, the Office for Women delivered a series of Indigenous Women's Mentoring Workshops for Indigenous women in partnership with Brisbane North Institute of TAFE. These free, two-day training workshops enabled participants to:

• receive a TAFE-accredited mentoring certificate (Certificate IV in Government - Mentoring)
• learn how to apply mentoring skills
• gain an overview of working with diversity, conflict and career planning.

Workshops were delivered in Mt Isa, Yarrabah, Woorabinda, Rockhampton, Cherbourg and Ipswich.

2008 Indigenous Women's Mentoring Workshops

The Office for Women's 2008 series of Indigenous Women's Mentoring Workshops was delivered in Yarrabah, Rockhampton, Mt Isa, Woorabinda and Cherbourg, with 68 women in attendance.

Participant feedback

Rockhampton

Excellent. Probably one of the best delivered training programs for Indigenous women that I've seen. Congratulations.

You have given a great gift to my immediate family because they are happy to see their mother, friend and wife in a new change of life.

Thanks for delivering your program in my area. I know that this is a great tool that I will utilise in my future plans.

This has been an enjoyable and rewarding workshop which will be utilised in our school and community.

Mt Isa

This program was fantastic!

Black women mentoring black women.

It has been an eye opener and given me some great new skills. I will be able to use these skills in my work place.

Woorabinda

Excellent Program AAA.

Inspirational facilitators.

Very well organised and easy to understand. Learnt a lot in a very short space of time. Will gladly recommend this workshop to others.

Cherbourg

Very good course, excellent resources and delivery was simple/easy to understand.

For further information contact the Office for Women on 3237 9850 or email seminars@women.qld.gov.au.

2008 Community Leadership seminar series

The Office for Women delivered a series of free seminars to develop Indigenous women's leadership skills, from July to November 2008, in Mount Isa, Cherbourg, Yarrabah and Woorabinda.

More than 200 women and girls shared their knowledge and skills in leading effectively, learnt about training opportunities, developed networks and mentoring groups, heard from motivational women leaders and learnt of inspirational achievements.

The seminars were extremely successful in increasing participants' confidence in taking up leadership roles and developing networking and mentoring groups.

Participant feedback

I am really thankful to have taken part in this seminar

Inspiring and joyful

Excellent! The speakers delivered a great seminar

Very encouraging and strengthening

View highlights of the Yarrabah Community Leadership Seminar:

2006 Community Leadership - Women into Local Government

In Queensland only 30% of all elected councillors and 15% of mayors are women. The Women into Local Government seminar series was a special opportunity to explore the benefits, opportunities and support available for women interested in becoming elected representatives in local government.

The Office for Women, with the Australian Local Government Women's Association - Queensland Chapter, and the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation, held seminars in Bowen, Caboolture, Mackay, Charleville and Longreach.

At the seminars, councillors and chief executive officers from across Queensland shared their personal perspectives and answered questions about election processes and their working lives.

The feedback from attendees was very positive:

The most useful part of the seminar was getting a better understanding of the processes involved in local government and the different roles of elected members and employees of councils.

You're never too old to learn, and I found the information on the structure of government very interesting. I learnt a lot and am keen to pass it on to the younger women in our community.

The seminar was motivating and empowering and if you're really passionate about something, you have to take a stand!

The most useful part of the seminar was the presentation of real-life scenarios from each speaker. It showed me that an everyday person like me could do it if I have the passion for it.

There are several publications and web resources which may help you to find out more about running for local council.

2006 Women's Community Leadership (Indigenous women)

More than 330 women attended the seminar series 'Women learning together and sharing leadership ideas'. It was delivered in Barcaldine, Rockhampton, Brisbane and Bamaga.

Indigenous women play an important role in leading their communities and these seminars helped them to work together in bringing fresh ideas and skills to their roles as current and potential community leaders.

Attendees commented on the value of learning from each other and the many new and renewed contacts made through networking at these events. New community initiatives have arisen as a result of the positive effects of the seminars.