🎟️ Register HERE via EventBrite!

Event Overview

What do caring for a loved one and jumping out of an aeroplane have in common?

More than you might think.

Join Gippsland Women in Business for an inspiring Lunch & Learn with Janine Hayes OAM, as she shares the unexpected lessons she's learned through two life-changing experiences: becoming a carer and taking the leap into skydiving.

Through heartfelt storytelling, humour and practical insights, Janine explores how these experiences have shaped her understanding of courage, resilience, trust and leadership.

Whether you're a business owner, leader, parent, colleague or carer, you'll discover practical ways to navigate uncertainty, embrace vulnerability and lead with compassion in both your professional and personal life.

This interactive session will leave you reflecting on your own journey, the people who have supported you, and the kind of leader you want to be when life asks you to take your next leap.

What You'll Learn

During this interactive session, Janine will explore:

• Why courage comes before confidence.

• How to navigate uncertainty with resilience.

• The difference between what you can control, influence and accept.

• Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

• Practical leadership lessons you can apply in both work and life.

• Guided reflection to help you identify your own next leap.

Meet the Speaker

Janine Hayes OAM

Leadership, Courage & Resilience Speaker

For more than 45 years, Janine Hayes OAM has embraced challenges that have taken her from 14,000 feet above the ground to the forefront of regional leadership.

A lifelong skydiver, business owner and senior leader in regional tourism and industry development, Janine has built a career helping businesses, communities and destinations thrive.

Today, Janine isn't speaking about business strategy, governance or tourism.

Instead, she's sharing the deeply personal experiences that have shaped her most profound lessons in leadership. Becoming a carer and taking thousands of leaps from an aircraft taught her about courage, resilience, trust and vulnerability, and why the greatest leadership lessons are often learned far from the boardroom.

Meet Your Host

Emma Buglisi

Founder, Cultivate Video Production | Video Storytelling Specialist

Emma Buglisi is the founder of Cultivate Video Production, helping businesses and organisations bring their stories to life through authentic, engaging video. Passionate about storytelling and community, Emma is also a committee member of Gippsland Women in Business and is delighted to host this Lunch & Learn session.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday 8 July 2026

Time: 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm (AEST)

Location: Online via Zoom

Cost: Free for Members and Non-Members

A Zoom link will be emailed to all registered attendees prior to the event.

Who Should Attend?

This session is for anyone looking to grow as a leader and navigate life's challenges with greater courage and compassion, including:

• Business owners

• Leaders and managers

• Professionals

• Community volunteers

• Parents and carers

• Anyone interested in personal or professional growth

About GWIB

Gippsland Women in Business is a vibrant community that connects, supports and empowers women across Gippsland through networking, professional development and meaningful conversations.

Our Lunch & Learn series brings inspiring speakers and practical insights to women across the region in accessible online sessions designed to fit into your workday.

Register Today

This event is free to attend, but registrations are essential.

Reserve your place today and join us for an inspiring conversation about courage, resilience and leadership.

Know Your Style with Leah Mether

Join Gippsland Women in Business for an inspiring afternoon of connection,
learning and professional development with communications and human skills
expert Leah Mether.

Communication is at the heart of everything we do, yet many of us aren't aware
of how our personal communication style impacts the way we connect, influence
and collaborate with others. In this engaging and practical session, Leah will help
you better understand your own communication style and provide strategies to
communicate more effectively with those around you.

Whether you're leading a team, working with clients, building professional
relationships or simply wanting to communicate with greater confidence, this
session will leave you with valuable insights you can immediately apply in both
your professional and personal life.

Event Details

📅 Thursday 18 June 2026
🕧 12:30pm – 2:30pm
📍 Morwell Innovation Centre
🎟️ $50 per person (includes lunch, tea and coffee)

What you'll gain from this session

• A deeper understanding of your personal communication style

• Practical tools to communicate more effectively with different personality types

• Greater confidence in conversations, meetings and networking situations

• Strategies to build stronger relationships and reduce misunderstandings

• Insights that can improve collaboration, leadership and influence

• Meaningful connections with like-minded women from across Gippsland

What we'll cover

• Understanding the different communication styles

• Identifying your natural communication strengths

• How to adapt your approach when communicating with others

• Building trust and connection through effective communication

• Practical techniques for improving workplace and business conversations

• Real-world examples and actionable takeaways you can use immediately

What to expect

• A welcoming and supportive networking environment

• Professional development delivered by a leading communication expert

• Opportunities to connect with women from a range of industries and backgrounds

• A delicious catered lunch with tea and coffee

• Practical insights, reflection and conversation

• Plenty of opportunities to network before and after the presentation

Facilitated by: Leah Mether

Leah Mether is one of Australia's leading communication and human skills experts, keynote speaker, trainer and author. Through her work with organisations across Australia, Leah helps people communicate with greater confidence, build stronger relationships and develop the human skills needed to thrive in today's workplace. Her engaging, practical and relatable approach leaves audiences with tools they can immediately put into practice

Event MC: Maree McPherson OAM

We are delighted to welcome Maree McPherson OAM as MC for this event.

A highly respected Gippsland leader, advocate and community champion, Maree has dedicated decades to supporting regional communities, strengthening connections, and empowering others through her leadership and service. Her warmth, experience and passion for bringing people together make her a valued friend of Gippsland Women in Business and the perfect host for this special event.

Learn More About Leah Mether

To learn more about Leah, explore her resources, or purchase her books, visit:

👉 https://www.leahmether.com.au

Leah's website includes practical communication resources, leadership insights, articles, podcasts and information about her bestselling books.

Thank You to Our Major Sponsor

This event is proudly supported by Alan Wilson Insurance Brokers, whose ongoing partnership helps Gippsland Women in Business provide valuable networking and professional development opportunities for women across our region.

Hosted by Gippsland Women in Business

Gippsland Women in Business exists to create opportunities for women to connect, learn and grow. Our events bring together women from across Gippsland to build meaningful relationships, gain fresh perspectives and develop skills that support both professional and personal success.

Whether you're a business owner, professional, leader, employee, student or simply looking to expand your network, you'll be warmly welcomed into our community.

We look forward to sharing an afternoon of learning, connection and conversation with you.