The Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s (WGEA’s) latest report shows the gender gap persists, with every industry in Australia having a gender pay gap that favours men.  

Women on average earn $26,596 less than men each year, who are twice as likely to be in the top earning bracket.  

The Victorian Chamber and its flagship women in business program, Chamber Change, are embracing this year’s International Women’s Day theme of Embracing Equity to help narrow the gap. 

Kate Mannix, Victorian Chamber Board member, Chamber Change Champion and CEO of AFS & Associates in Bendigo, says Embracing Equity starts with a conversation that acknowledges the issue – and the need for change. 

“It's about opening up where inequalities exist and how they've got there and how we can overcome them. It's also bringing in the thoughts and ideas and feedback from all genders and all levels within organisations,” she says. 

“From an equity position it is about having conversations with the right people in your organisation, being able to share with them your experiences, maybe some changes that you can see that would make a difference to yourself or others and to be able to really open up people's thought processes.” 

That initial conversation can lead to action, but it needs leaders to take the initiative, says Kristen Georgakopoulos, General Manager of People and Culture at VicTrack and Chamber Change Champion. 

“[Equality means] everybody feels that they're treated in a similar manner and that they feel included and able to participate and add value to an organisation – and not feel that any gender is any different to any other gender.  

“For me, you need to lead by example. So, as a leader, I need to demonstrate and feel that it's always important to give back and then encouraging others to get involved and to bring about change.” 

Lisa Sweeney, CEO of Business in Heels, explains that an equitable workforce is an empowered workforce, which can materially impact the bottom line. 

“When you've got a workforce that gets the community and the people that they serve, they are way more engaged and they'll come up with better solutions,” she says.  

“And it's proven time and time again that they're more profitable. So, equity is just a part of doing business and what will actually really enable businesses to grow.” 

Helping foster change

Recognising the need for action, last year the Victorian Chamber launched Chamber Change, a women in business initiative to help individuals mentor, network, empower and grow alongside each other.  

Chamber Change champions help participants through lessons on how to balance career, home, partnerships, health and mental load; how to embrace challenges and self-confidence to take opportunities; and advice on decision-making, promotions, stepping back and stepping forward. 

Our select Victorian Chamber Experts also offer their expertise on topics of focus such as workplace relations, human resources and media and communications. 

Inaugural programs proved successful. Surveyed participants said the initiative helped increased their networks, benefited their organisations and set them up for business success. 

Ms Georgakopoulos says: “This program is definitely one of those programs where you can really see that you're making a difference and encouraging people to be brave and be courageous and to stretch themselves and be willing to learn new things and diversity is very important.” 

The Victorian Chamber is proud to launch Chamber Change programs three and four in 2023.  

Twenty-three female business leaders have been secured as Chamber Change Champions to guide this journey along with the expertise of our Victorian Chamber female leaders.  

Details and selection for the programs are via the Expression of Interest link below. Please be aware there are limited participant spots available. 

Chamber Change Program Three 
Wednesday 17 May 2023 
Thursday 15 June 2023 
Wednesday 16 August 2023 
*please only apply if you can attend all three sessions. 

Chamber Change Program Four 
Wednesday 13 September 2023 
Tuesday 17 October 2023 
Wednesday 15 November 2023 
*please only apply if you can attend all three sessions. 

Participants will be able to claim a Victorian Chamber Digital Credential upon completion of the program. Representing your skills as a microcredential badge gives you a verified way to share your abilities online. Badges provide employers and peers concrete evidence of what you had to do to earn your credential and what you’re now capable of. 

Ms Mannix says: “The change program really provides a platform for women to come together and look forward to some opportunities to be able to be part of the movement, to be able to support each other, to learn from each other, to gain knowledge that, I would have loved to have gained in my twenties or thirties.  

“To share that is important – being able to have these conversations, to be able to identify opportunities, to encourage and really uphold and uplift each other. And in our role, that empowerment of sharing knowledge and experiences only continues to help people grow in their careers.”  

Expressions of Interest – Apply Here