Network differently, create meaningful connections.

The recent arrival of Matt Bailey and @racwa as Silver Sponsors has really supercharged our community of like-minded leaders. Matt and his RAC BusinessWise team look after the battery and road side assistance of business fleet vehicles. When a group of motoring enthusiasts formed the Automobile Club of Western Australia to support the interests of car owners in 1905, their first task was to create road maps and signage to make WA safer. The following 115 years of the club's history makes for a fascinating snapshot into how much life, and travel, in WA has changed. As a voice for more than 1.2 million members in WA, RAC is planning for the future by building Australia's first electric highway and challenging how we all think about transport by trialling the country's first driverless shuttle bus. They also sponsor two emergency rescue helicopters to help Western Australians when they need it most. Thank you for your support Matt, it has been a privilege to have you in our cohort. Your impact has been immediate and positive and we are excited by the potential of this partnership over the next twelve months!

This week, we congratulate PBN Founder and Director, Duc Pham on his recent his appointment as an ambassador for @ruahcommunityservices. This partnership represents a true alignment of values, in particular – Integrity, Respect and Connection. Ruah is the Hebrew word used for life giving ‘wind’, ‘spirit’ and ‘breath’. The name acknowledges the legacy of the Daughters of Charity who founded the organisation and captures its aspiration to better the lives of the people it seeks to serve. Ruah is community organisation that walks alongside the community they support, by providing integrated services and bold advocacy to bring about change that ensures that systems end rather than perpetuate inequality. Ruah provides person centred support for members of the community who are experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, mental health challenges and as a result, needing legal advice and support. PBN’s partnerships with community services organisations has always been greatly supported by our members and sponsors. As one of the country’s most innovative not for profits, and with Duc’s advocacy, it is envisaged that Ruah’s breakthrough programs that solve complex social issues will receive greater recognition and funding to expand their reach.

This week marks the end of our founder Duc Pham's journey with @foodbankwa. Since his appointment as ambassador in 2019, Duc has been active in promoting Foodbank's mission to provide food relief to vulnerable individuals and families across our state. Through the generosity of the Perth Business community, Duc has raised over $125,000 and generated considerable awareness of the food insecurity experienced by hundreds of thousands of West Australians. Moreover, Foodbank is Australia's largest food relief agency and their important work helps millions of Australians put food on the table. In Duc's own words regarding his involvement with Foodbank WA: " It has been such an honour to support and advocate for Foodbank, I've had so much help along the way from business owners and leaders who have dug deep to help their fellow West Australians in times of crises and need. My time with Foodbank has been a blessing and an experience that I will never forget. It has cemented my belief that as a committed and caring community, we can have truly positive and powerful impact on the lives of the less fortunate" Congratulations on your achievements over the last four years Duc, your contribution and efforts have left a lasting legacy in the fight against hunger!

Next week, over forty members from our fraternity will gather in the heart Mount Hawthorn to enjoy the South East Asian flavours of @lucyluuperth. Since it opened late last year, this tasty eatery has been on the radar of Perth foodies and connoisseurs. Our event sponsor is the wonderful Laura Smyth and @lushskinandbody.perth - also based in Mount Hawthorn. They are the industry leaders in beauty and dermal skin treatment. Their select team of professionally-trained beauty and dermal therapists provide a full range of personal care services such as; waxing, facials, massage, lash extensions, lash lift, manicure, pedicure, tanning, facials, LED Therapy, Microdermabrasion, peels, Oxygen, IPL, skin needling & Injectables. Laura and her team are passionate about creating a five star experience for their clients and about keeping up to date with all the latest products and technology. Lush are also committed to using the best, and most natural products to achieve results. Their range of services is extensive, and they also offer couples spa packages in the Perth salon for that ultimate beauty experience. Thank you for supporting this sold out and highly anticipated luncheon Laura, we have no doubt that it will be a tremendously successful networking event!

This week, we acknowledge the incredible contribution that women make to our community and society. It goes without saying that gender equality should be at the forefront of everyone's mind everyday, but sadly this is not the case. Gender inequality continues to be a major barrier to the realisation of rights and access to opportunities for girls and women in Australia. Australia's gender pay gap is 22.8%. Women, on average earn, $26,596 less than men each year. Men are twice as likely to be in the top earning bracket and women are 1.5 times more likely to be in the lowest. Every single industry in Australia has a gender pay gap that favours men. We can all make a positive contribution to gender equality by raising awareness, speaking up and taking action. And to quote the insightful words of Michelle Obama: 'No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contribution of half its citizens.' #genderequality #embraceequality