This weekend I volunteered at the Women in Media national conference at Bond University on the Gold Coast. Specifically, I was working with the uni’s journalism students producing their stories in the pop-up newsroom, alongside their tutor, Rob Layton. They were covering the conference and reporting on the speakers – and there were plenty of incredible women there! I was a bit busy with my head down and didn’t get to hear a lot of what was being said but I did meet a few remarkable women and particularly enjoyed meeting Victoria Laurie, Tangiora Hinaki, Karen Koh and editor Annabelle Hickson who I’ve worked with on a story for Galah Magazine.
I also caught up with lots of friends from my ABC days and really enjoyed listening in to Leigh Sales and Lisa Millar chatting together like the best buddies they are. I also managed to listen in to a panel of experienced, seasoned women talk about imposter syndrome, fear of failure and dealing with inequality in the workplace which blew my mind a little because I imagine – as many of us do – that these women we admire have it all together when in reality, they have the same worries and insecurities that we do.
Me at the Women in Media conference
The Queen died on the Friday night of the conference, which meant quite a few speakers had to suddenly leave for London but despite that, it was still a brilliant weekend and I really feel I learned a lot.
Did you know Bond University is also the home of the Corrigan Art Walk, Australia’s largest privately owned collection of Indigenous art work? There were huge, incredibly beautiful canvases hanging everywhere! I personally love all the colour and the way they make me think of our geography and country and of being outdoors. Here is just one of the many, many artworks that I wished I could put into my handbag and carry away!
Regina Wilson Basket Weaving 2006