House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2019-04-03 Daily Xml

Contents

Women in Business

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen) (15:09): I rise to say a few brief words about the Women in Business forum that I was very proud to host at Stirling on 25 March. The Women in Business forum at Stirling was an honour to be part of and, I might say, tremendous to participate in as the member for Heysen. One of my priorities in the early days of my representation of the Hills was to shine a light on some of the magnificent work that is done by businesspeople throughout the Hills, particularly some of the leading example-setting women in business.

This was a forum that was attended by a full house of about 70 women in business throughout the Hills. It was nearly all women. I was very pleased to attend and I was very glad that my neighbour the member for Finniss and his wife, Kate, were able to attend as well. As so many of those present observed, this was an occasion to hear from leaders in their field not just about what brought them to be participating in business but also about what they reflect on in terms of the challenges and opportunities in their lives. It was a really tremendous forum.

I want to recognise, in particular, Helen Edwards, who led our panel. Helen Edwards will be known to many of us in this house. Her present role is head of Adelaide Hills Tourism. She comes to that role against the background of being an owner and pioneer in Adelaide Hills wine, particularly through The Lane Vineyard. She is an incredibly accomplished businesswoman after many decades of leadership in the health space, having originally had a background in nursing. She has been a leader for our state in so many areas.

Helen brought her tremendous spark to the leadership of a forum that included our Deputy Premier and Attorney-General, Vickie Chapman. The forum also included Kate Laurie from Deviation Road, who I am tempted to say is the world's, but will perhaps keep it as Australia's, greatest and increasingly most recognised sparkling winemaker, and Sarah Burchell, the proprietor of Cleveland Nursery at Stirling.

I want to thank Vickie for her leadership. It was an opportunity for those gathered to see another side of our Deputy Premier, and I think many people came away thinking, 'Wow, what an impressive leader we have in Vickie Chapman and what an impressive human being.' But I particularly want to shine a light on and recognise the wonderful contribution of both Kate Laurie and Sarah Burchell because, unlike our Deputy Premier, who is used to being in the spotlight and is a well-known public figure, Kate and Sarah are examples of leaders in business who are not daily in the public spotlight. They just get on with doing what they do brilliantly well.

Kate made a number of very important observations about the sort of journey that business people everywhere go through and the sorts of things that they have to deal with. Those of us who know Kate will be quick to say that she is someone who wants to maintain the very highest of standards. She said that she is petrified daily about what each day is going to bring, but just gets through it. She maintains this wonderful standard and a tremendous product. Sarah Burchell, who has done a tremendous job with Cleveland Nursery, also offered the most personal of insights into what keeps her on track.

I want to thank my own mother who joined me. She is an inspiration to me. I also particularly want to thank my team at the Heysen electorate office. They are another great example of leaders and leading women, particularly. They are a team that I could not be more proud of. I commend the forum and look forward to many future such occasions.

Mr BOYER: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to the state of the house:

A quorum having been formed: