Stacey Dick says Moira Shire Council's leadership program changed her life.
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Owen Sinclair
Once upon a time, Stacey Dick was the last person to put herself before a crowd.
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“You would never have caught me standing in front of a group of people delivering a speech,” she said.
But after graduating from Moira Shire Council’s Community Leadership Program in December last year, things have turned around for the Numurkahite.
“It was the best choice I’ve ever made, doing that course,” she said.
That decision led her to found Women of Moira, a volunteer-run start-up aimed at connecting and empowering women across Moira Shire.
Since graduating, she’s worked tirelessly to organise events in the shire’s towns, including Cobram.
And on Saturday, February 15, women from across the region gathered for a Coffee and Connect at Hens Teeth Trading on Cobram’s Broadway St.
Kim Whatman of Jessanda Farm Fresh, who attended the session, said she was keen on connecting and bouncing business ideas around with the other guests.
“I came up from the city where there were a lot of women’s business groups,” she said.
“I haven’t found any here since I relocated, so it’s been very good to have this.”
The event was part of WOM’s project of connecting women from across the shire to share business ideas and open dialogue.
Almost two dozen women took part in the networking event. Credit: Chelsea Jane Photography.
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“I thought there wasn’t really anything for women in Numurkah, where I’m from,” Mrs Dick said.
“I know there is in Yarrawonga, but I felt like we were all a bit siloed, a bit disconnected, in our own individual towns.”
Mrs Dick had nothing but good things to say about council’s leadership program.
“Meeting all those fantastic women from the cohort really inspired me,” she said.
“Learning about networking in the course really inspired me to bring people together.
“My confidence completely changed. It literally changed my life.”
Mrs Dick was born and raised in Shepparton and Mooroopna, moved away for university, and returned to the Goulburn Valley.
“I came back because I love the country,” Mrs Dick said.
She wants to make it easier for other women, particularly those who are juggling motherhood and a career, to stay in the region they love.
She said the WOM project — run entirely by volunteers such as herself — has been well received by the Moira community. But Mrs Dick’s aspirations for her community don’t stop there.
Starting in March, Mrs Dick will participate in the highly regarded Fairley Leadership Program.
She said she was looking forward to learning how she could better help her community through her time in the program.
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