Melissa Price (Durack, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Once again, I am reminded of the strength of the community based groups that I encounter in my electorate of Durack. The Pilbara Womens Network is no exception with more than 100 women attending a luncheon in Karratha late last year with the theme of reinventing yourself.

At this sell-out event, I joined Telstra Western Australian Businesswoman of the Year Sonja Cox and entrepreneur Robyn Henderson as guest speakers, and I have to say that the strength, diversity, skill and business acumen of the 100-plus women in the room outshone what we, as presenters, could offer.

These women from all walks of life, collectively, represented and celebrated the Pilbara and their part in realising its improbable economic development as well as their personal development and the opportunities that they have been afforded and have used to their advantage.

The women of the Pilbara live in an environment of constant change—it is their norm. They are proficient at adapting and capitalising on opportunity. Many of these women work in or own businesses and are duly proud of their success.

I would urge you to look no further than the Pilbara to see successful businesswomen in action. We could all learn a great deal from the women of the Pilbara—they are adventurers, pioneers but, most of all, entrepreneurs.