RRR Network Ambassador Launch
On International Women’s Day 2023, the RRR Network is ‘cracking the code’ for a rural regional and remote (RRR) women’s movement in Western Australia by launching their Regional Women’s Ambassador Program.
The RRR Network Ambassador program will work in partnership with community RRR women leaders in every region of Western Australia (WA) to achieve its vision of creating a diverse, strong, connected and influential network of RRR women who strengthen and enrich the lives of each other.
The role of the RRR Network Ambassador is to showcase leadership, share their stories and experiences of pursuing education, professional development and building diverse careers from regional WA, so they may inspire and support other RRR women to do the same.
“We understood at the RRR Network for us to achieve a strong, connected and influential network of women that we needed women in every region of WA who are the eyes and ears of their community on our team” said Kendall Galbraith, CEO of the RRR Network.
Ambassadors will extend the RRR Network reach when they’re exercising their professional and or personal roles within their region. In doing so, they will keep the wider community better informed about the vital roles our RRR women play in all aspects of regional community.
Ambassadors are regional representatives of the RRR Network, and we encourage regional women, community organisations, small business, local industry and government to seek these women out if they are looking for a RRR Network voice.
The RRR Network is announcing three Ambassadors to launch their program but hopes to ultimately have an Ambassador in every region by the end of the year.
“We are so excited to have finally started this program and to strategically draw on the skills and networks of RRR women spanning from the Gascoyne to the Great Southern,” said Kendall.
The RRR Network introduces Acting CEO of the Gascoyne Development Commission – Simmone Van Burele, small business owner of Mind Your Money from the Wheatbelt region – Enrika Grogan and Service Centre Team Leader at University of Western Australia (UWA) Albany Campus – Rumeena Nizam representing the Great Southern.
The RRR Network invites RRR women from other regions to express their interest of becoming an Ambassador by contacting Kendall at ceo@rrrnetwork.com.au.
Simmone Van Burele
Simmone has over 30 years of management and leadership experience with a focus on relationship building, negotiation and collaboration. Her history as a successful entrepreneur and small business owner underlies her belief in the important role that SMEs have in building resilience in regional economies. Simmone has worked in RRR communities throughout Western Australia in Local Government roles with a focus on asset-based community development. Simmone is a passionate advocate for the Gascoyne region with its unique natural environment, climate, and friendly communities. She joined the Gascoyne Development Commission in 2019 to help drive social and economic development through building community and the quality of life.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the RRR Network Regional Ambassador program as the Network is an important way for women in the regions to be able to connect, collaborate and support one another. I hope that my involvement will show young women that there are many pathways to leadership and that a diverse career is possible in the regions” said Simmone.
Enrika Grogan
Enrika Grogan is the owner and founder of Mind Your Money, a successful small business which supports female led businesses in regional WA to be both profitable and sustainable. Enrika emigrated from Ireland in 2005 making the switch from a career in Engineering to bookkeeping and business advisory to settle in the Wheatbelt with her husband Eamon in 2008. Enrika is passionate about small business and the impact that well run businesses have on the community. She enjoys helping her clients create the life they want and believes that educating and empowering business owners in relation to their finances is key to their success. To this end, she’s an active contributor to both Northam Women in Business as an Executive Committee member and a RRR Network member.
“As someone who is passionate about giving women the tools to do both business and life well and live purposeful lives in the regions, becoming a RRR Network Regional Ambassador is a perfect alignment of my values and future aspirations. My hope for every woman is that she can harness her inherent creativity and natural skillset for the good of herself, her family and her community. I am both honoured and excited to be asked to join the RRR Network Ambassador program and look forward to being a voice for the Wheatbelt region,” said Enrika.
Rumeena Nizam
Rumeena, born and raised in Sri Lanka, migrated to Australia in her teens to pursue higher education. She was the first female in her family to enter university, changing the trajectory for all girls in future generations. A quarter of a decade later, reflecting on rich experiences of a life spent across Australia, from metropolitan Sydney to regional WA, she represents multiple diversity groups; migrant, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD), single-parent to name a few. She is now a mother to a young daughter and two fur babies while working full-time at UWA Campus in Albany WA. Her corporate career includes tertiary education, banking, small business and community advocacy. A community service champion in the spirit of ‘Service to others’, her volunteer journey stems from a young age from sweets stalls at the childhood home to leading not-for-profit governing boards in WA. The acknowledgement of her daughter as the ‘2022 Young Citizen of the Year’ by the City of Albany attests to the family values she nurtures. Boasting a range of academic credentials and a successful professional career are not without strenuous efforts calling-out inequities & pursuing opportunity. Rumeena believes education is at the core of community development, regeneration and empowerment, thus, tirelessly seeks opportunities to enhance the quality of life of all those in her community. Now, in a well poised position, leading higher education, Rumeena is in perfect alignment with her passion ‘education equity & excellence in RRR communities’.
“I am a RRR Regional Ambassador, as I strive to inspire and support RRR women. No-one needs to be left behind. A purposeful and rewarding life is achievable from regional Western Australia” said Rumeena.
For more information on this program, contact Kendall Galbraith at ceo@rrrnetwork.com.au or 0410 785 726.