WOMEN'S NETWORK //

International Women's Day

The AFAP Women’s Network co-hosted an event with our air traffic controller colleagues to celebrate International Women’s Day 2023.

Drawing attendees from the membership of both the AFAP and Civil Air Australia (CAA), the panel seminar and networking event was held at Air Services Australia’s Brisbane premises on 9 March.

Following a welcome and introduction from CAA's Jane Douglas, AFAP President and Women's Network Convenor Captain Louise Pole moderated a panel discussion where four speakers gave valuable insights from their personal experiences of building a career in aviation.

It was especially interesting to hear from airline captains Paley Williams (Virgin Australia) and Anita Woodward (QantasLink - Sunstate) about how they have successfully navigated and advanced their professional and personal lives while working as commercial pilots over many years.

Each of the pilots and air traffic controllers on the panel was able to give valuable insights during the session, and later answered questions drawing on their various perspectives and experiences.

At the conclusion of the seminar, members attending were able to network informally with each other over refreshments and take the opportunity of a guided tour of the Brisbane air traffic control tower.

• Rethinking the stereotypes of agreeableness or commanding authority

• Navigating situations of being held to different standards to male counterparts

• How to change perceptions of assertiveness in the workplace

• Going beyond unconscious and conscious bias

The Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act 2022 prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace and amends rules relating to requests for unpaid parental leave and flexible work arrangements (among other changes).

This was just one of the topics discussed at the AFAP Women's Network breakfast meeting held on at the AFAP’s Melbourne office on 23 March. If you need any assistance, please email industrial@afap.org.au or phone (03) 9928 3757 to arrange a confidential discussion with an industrial officer.

Save the date: Women's Network AGM

The AFAP Women’s Network provides a forum to identify and pursue professional and industrial issues relevant to women pilots. Please save the date for the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM):

AFAP Women’s Network AGM

Thursday 20 July 2023

10:00 – 12:30 AEST

AFAP Brisbane Office

33 Montpelier Road, Bowen Hills QLD