Written by Lynn Whyatt
Women in the regions of Western Australia foster connection, showcase leadership, and often adapt to suit the situation. Adaptability as we know it is a highly-valued transferable skill in our ever-changing social, political, and cultural landscapes.
Instead of merely adapting herself, I sat down recently with a woman who has made a habit of shaping and shifting the environment to suit her vision; a vision where community is at the heart of us all and a servant leadership style is the norm.
Jenna Denton is the RRR Network Ambassador for the Mid West region and has been zig-zagging her way in and around Geraldton her whole life. From an upbringing within the fishing and farming communities, to roles in business, health, and disability services, Jenna’s story seems to encapsulate aspects of the Mid West itself. Her love of the red dirt and waves and her passion for community advocacy highlight not only the diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes of the region, but also the vitality and necessity of the strong communities within.
Her home is in a rural part of Geraldton with farms behind the property and ocean views out the front. “Every day can be different if you want it to be,” she expresses when asked what she loves about the Mid West. Even with the wide expanse of natural beauty abound, Jenna is not blind to the struggles of the region. The Mid West, like many other regions across WA, requires more equity in health and community services – and Jenna has made it a personal and professional mission to advocate for her region.
The various job titles and organisations listed on her resume exemplify her knowledge across women’s healthcare, mental health, community engagement, and education. While some question her reasoning behind taking on such diverse roles, Jenna is steadfast that the knowledge and networks she has built over the years are invaluable. She zigged and zagged to create her own opportunities for growth and shaped her own pathways across a region that was not always easy to navigate.
When she graduated high school, she recalls that anyone wanting to continue with tertiary studies had to move away from family and community. While the Geraldton University Centre makes it easier for some students to stay among their support networks now, the difficulties of access, opportunities, and practicum logistics remain.
She acknowledges the importance of formal education and qualifications for some, but Jenna also highlights the importance of learning from doing, collaborating with peers, and taking part in professional development opportunities. It is fantastic to foster connections with the RRR Network and Women Inspiring Better Business in Geraldton, but Jenna believes that the women of the Mid West would definitely benefit from more consistent and appropriate professional development opportunities. They need to be accessible and designed from a “regional mindset” with a focus on “place-based learning”, Jenna suggests as we discuss the ideal components of professional development opportunities. The usual metro-centric ideologies at the core of most virtual workshops are often not relevant to the regional context despite their best intentions on making their services accessible to the regions.
Over the last decade, Jenna acknowledges that there has been progress in terms of local services and opportunities to develop professionally and personally throughout the Mid West. But – there is still a long way to go. While Jenna is solid in her foundations as a community advocate, she hopes that women in the region will be inspired to seek out connections, build their confidence, and take a chance on new opportunities. The beauty of the region stems from the idea that smaller communities have grown together through tightly-woven networks – Jenna’s hope is that women begin to use these networks and feel supported from leadership intent on lifting others.
With a community leader like Jenna who carries the blunt positivity of: “I see opportunity everywhere,” the long and winding path towards growth appears easier to navigate. How lucky is the region to have Jenna at the helm of advocacy for women as the RRR Network Regional Ambassador for the Mid West?
Now that her two children are becoming more independent as teenagers, Jenna is focusing more on discovery of self and career development. For the first time in a long time, Jenna can see something new and exciting in her future. Even if she is not quite sure what it looks like yet, she is driven towards a bigger advocacy role that would enable her to lead the change and solve problems for the Mid West region.
So, if you want to shape the future of your region or find connections and opportunities for collaboration, reach out to Jenna Denton – The RRR Networking Regional Ambassador for the Mid West!