Anything is possible

NIKE’S slogan is ‘just do it’, Bonnie Chew’s mantra is, “you can do it.”

“I was a high school drop-out at 16 and now I have a very successful business, so anything is possible,” said Ms Chew.

Proud Wadawurrung woman, Ms Chew is an activist and advocate for her Aboriginal heritage, director and founder of Mirriyu Cultural Consulting and a Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council member.

Ms Chew will share her unique perspective on leadership, based on inclusiveness, nurturing and support at the Australian Women’s Leadership Forum, being held in Ballarat on Friday, 15 March.

While Ms Chew said, “I am not a front runner leader,” she has supreme confidence in herself and wants to encourage this in other women.

“I like to empower people around me and bring them along with me on my journey.”

She helps women breach the barriers, whether it is striving for leadership roles, understanding the language used in employment opportunities, or supporting their achievements through mentoring.

Mentoring is a key component in her leadership approach as she possesses the enthusiasm to share her skills, knowledge, and expertise.

She can remember what was like starting out, so nurturing potential women in leadership comes naturally to her.

“It is about enabling women to get those positions they don’t think they can,” Ms Chew said.

Her newly found passion is educating the community about the importance of mental health and removing the stigma around seeking assistance if and when required.

Ms Chew, may well have some positive answers and directions for the Forum delegates when she joins four other Ballarat women leaders on a panel discussion appropriately called ‘Where to from Here?’

For more information on the Ballarat leg of the Australian Women’s Leadership Forum go to wla.edu.au/leadershipforum2019.html, and to book tickets.

Standard ticket is $395 per person. Ballarat Times News Group readers can access a discounted ticket price. Enter the code BTIMES when booking online for a ticket price of $230 per person.