WATTLE Alumnae Symposium celebrates women in leadership

This week, we were delighted to welcome around 50 women from across the WATTLE community to our third Alumnae Symposium, hosted at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. It was a meaningful opportunity to reconnect, share experiences, and continue growing the vibrant network of leaders that WATTLE represents.

Joining us at the Alumnae Symposium was:

• 50 attendees
• Representing 6 years of WATTLE programs (2019 – 2024)
• 56% Academic, 44% Professional
• Joining from 16 Universities
• Across 6 states and territories

Overall, WATTLE has come a long way since our first program in 2018, and we now have over 330 alumnae across 21 universities.

Day one of the WATTLE Alumnae Symposium commenced with a welcome from Professor Helen Bartlett, Vice-Chancellor and President, USC, followed by a keynote presentation from Cr Rosanna Natoli, Mayor Sunshine Coast Council on the topic of Leadership, Integrity and Self-care in Public Life.

Attendees engaged in a workshop on the topic of Leading for Staff Wellbeing in Turbulent Times from Professor Paula Brough, Director, Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing, Griffith University, before learning more about our recent evaluation of the outcomes of the WATTLE program.

Day 2 launched with a keynote from Professor Helen Bartlett, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of the Sunshine Coast on the topic of ‘Leadership and Wellbeing in Higher Education’, followed by the ‘Balancing University Work, Wellbeing and Careers’ panel, featuring Professor Jodi Oakman, Head, Health and Society Cluster, La Trobe University, Ms Katherine Carfi, Project Manager (Strategic Projects), RMIT University, Associate Professor Melody Muscat, Director of Indigenous Health & Strategy, UNSW, Professor Paula Brough, Director, Centre for Work, Organisation and Wellbeing, Griffith University, Professor Rebecca Lane, Chair, Department of Allied Health, Swinburne University of Technology.

WATTLE alum were guided through a workshop on ‘How to Cultivate a Healthy Workplace’, by Angela Fragiacomo, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Wellbeing Lead, Deakin University, a facilitated discussion about personal wellbeing with Kathy Townsend, Associate Professor of Animal Ecology, University of the Sunshine Coast, and a discussion on the ‘Role of the WATTLE Alumni’, led by Associate Professor Deborah Heck, Dean, School of Education and Tertiary Access, University of the Sunshine Coast, and Donna Burnett, Associate Director, Strategic Projects, La Trobe University.

The 2025 WATTLE Alumnae Symposium offered a rich and inspiring program of speakers, topics, workshops, and reflective activities, all designed to deepen leadership capacity and connection. From thought-provoking keynotes to energising group discussions, the event brought together a dynamic group of women committed to leading with purpose, authenticity, and care.

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This week marked a special occasion as the WATTLE Alumnae group came together for our highly-anticipated Symposium. Gathering a cohort of approximately 60 women from across the spectrum of our five-year programs, this event was nothing short of a resounding success.

Once again, we had the privilege of hosting John Dewar, whose support for our program continues to inspire. The Symposium witnessed the stirring and thought-provoking contributions of Katrina Reynen OAM and Paula Brough, who challenged and motivated all in attendance.

The Symposium provided a platform for several of our Alumnae to generously share their own stories. Among them were Wendy Wright, Lisa Pickering, Sacha Reid, Kate Galati, Dr. Joanne Porter, Naomi Birdthistle, Sian Hicks and Meghan Kelly.

Our gratitude extends to the Organising Committee, comprised of Rosemary Stockdale, Joanna Shaw, Christine Edward, Nalini Pather and Karen Teo. Their efforts pulling this program together allowed us all to take the time to pause, reflect, reconnect and learn.

A special thanks goes out to our sponsors, La Trobe University, and Swinburne University of Technology, whose support played a pivotal role in making this Symposium a resounding success.

Join us in the movement for gender equality in leadership: #WATTLEWomen #WomeninLeadership #AustralianHigherEducation