LEADING LADIES

We put the call out to assemble a quad of local lady leaders achieving brilliant things in their chosen fields. Over an afternoon at the French inspired St Clair Country House in Trentham, we caught up with this admirable group. Our curious minds quizzed them about everything from their first jobs to those who inspire them most.

Pictures by Teagan Glenane. Styling by Genevieve Manly. Makeup by Bonnie at Yellow Rose. Hair by Chelsea at Eve Salon. Clothes by Larna at Blanc Boutique. Jewellery by Suzy at Gems and Jewels.

Nicole Ashby

Director of High Profit Media and Ballarat Up Start Program

Known for: Being a driven change-maker and business leader and a lover of touch footy.

Nicole wears: Pasduchas Illustrious Midi from Blanc Boutique and jewellery by Gems and Jewels.

24 Who or what has had the biggest influence on you? Strong women in my family have had the biggest influence on me, not that they would necessarily see themselves as strong women. My mum and her two sisters ended up being single mothers, and it highlighted to me that you don’t have to put up with relationships that are less than satisfactory; you can always strive for better, for you and your children.

My 91-year-old grandmother, Dulcie, has also been a massive influence on me. I spent much of my time with her when growing up and we’re still very close. She taught me the essence and joy of baking (I still choose cakes and slices over fruit any day) as well as instilling in me the importance of being positive. In terms of business, my mentor, Paul Counsel, has, without doubt, been the biggest influence on me. He taught me to change the way I think and what to think about, which led me to establish my own company, FIFO (fly-in-flyout) Families in 2010. I managed the company in Perth for five years. Being its director, as well as being a FIFO wife and mum raising three kids solo for six months of the year, positioned me well to be an advocate for FIFO families and workers all over the country. What would you say has been your biggest achievement? My three kids!

I’d have to say my business awards, too, as I never thought I’d be a businesswoman until I met Paul in 2009. I’m a dual Telstra Businesswoman of the Year finalist and Telstra Business of the Year finalist. What was your first job? When I was 15, I worked on a strawberry farm just outside Ballarat, on the freeway towards Melbourne. The small shed is still there, although it’s covered in graffiti. I was so slow at picking the strawberries that I was moved to the shed to pack them and then into the small shack on the side of the freeway to sell the strawberry punnets!

What would you say to your teenage self now? Stay in your own lane and continue to focus on what is important to you. Let your happiness and passion be your true north and your values guide you.

Remember, change is constant, so let go of the little things and the quicker you can let go of what others think about you, the happier and more content you will be.

Erin Santamaria

Known for: Heading up the costume department at Sovereign Hill.

Erin wears: Shona Joy Rafaella Oversized Blouse from Blanc Boutique and jewellery by Gems and Jewels.

Who or what has had the biggest influence on you? When I studied for my Bachelor of Fashion at RMIT, I crossed paths with designers Susan Dimasi and Chantal McDonald, whom I later worked for at Materialbyproduct. Throughout my early career, these two designers shaped and influenced my practice and taught me how to think outside of the box and work with determination and focus. What would you say has been your biggest achievement? When I began working at Sovereign Hill, I recognised the incredible resource of knowledge and skills that sat “behind the scenes” in the costume department and wanted to open it up and create opportunities to engage with the community. Along with Sovereign Hill’s costumiers and a couple of talented members of the interpretive team, we combined performance, fashion, museums and history to create A Victorian Silhouette and presented it at the Gold Museum, the Art Gallery of Ballarat and finally at the Melbourne Museum as part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF) to a sell-out audience. We later developed A Victorian Silhouette into a short film, which was a winner at the 2017 VAMFF Fashion Film Awards. What’s your ultimate day in Ballarat? It starts with breakfast, cooked at home by my husband, consisting of Basilio bread, Salt Kitchen Charcuterie bacon, free-range eggs and avocado, followed by a walk around Lake Wendouree. A visit to the art gallery would follow, after coercing the children with the promise of Il Piccolo gelato for afternoon tea and the day would be complete after catching a band at the Eastern Hotel. What was your first job? Working at a milk bar during the before- and afterschool rush.

If you could have lunch with any woman, who would it be and why? PJ Harvey. I admire her approach. She is always growing and challenging herself as an artist and with an incredible back catalogue of her own work and collaborations. I’d love to hear about her experiences.

Julie McLaren

Known for: Curator of the Art Gallery of Ballarat and one half of Sweat Dreams DJs with her partner, Darren.

Julie wears: Pasduchas Cosmopolitan Dress from Blanc Boutique and jewellery by Gems and Jewels.

26 If you could have lunch with any woman who would it be and why? Can I have a table for four? I would sit down with Julia Gillard, Jacinda Arden and Michelle Obama. These three women are redefining what leadership means on an international scale and are all about lifting other women up through education, empathy and positive role modelling. Janelle Ryan, one of the most wonderful women I know, recently sent me a message that said: “When we lift others, we, too, rise”. Can she join us for lunch as well? What would you say to your teenage self now? I would tell teenage Julie that she’s not the only person like herself; that she will find people who are interested in the same things and who hold the same values as her. Who or what has had the biggest influence on you? There were two people in my childhood who had a huge impact on my career. The first was my grandfather, Ian McLaren, who was a member of parliament, historian, bibliographer and rare-book collector. I didn’t know him very well personally, but his legacy lives on in his rare-book collection, which consists of more than 50,000 items held at the University of Melbourne. The second person was my primary school librarian, Mrs Ryan, who, along with my parents, fostered my love of books, reading and constant learning. Words to live by: I was going through a difficult time recently and a friend said to me: “This is not the meaning of life”. What she meant was that I needed to stop "sweating the small stuff”. Walk us through a typical work day for you? There’s no such thing as a typical day at the Art Gallery of Ballarat. The best (and worst) part of my job is that, despite planning, I never quite know what is going to happen. My day can involve any number of things, including sending many emails, speaking to the media about gallery exhibitions and programs, speaking to potential donors of artworks, writing grant applications (and then, hopefully, receiving them), working on the design and layout of an exhibition, conducting research and writing about artworks, speaking to artists about future exhibitions, hosting artist talks, going to planning meetings with colleagues and endlessly using spreadsheets. There is never a dull moment.

Alicia Linley

Known for: Managing Director of Mitchell Harris Wines.

Alicia wears: Rebecca Vallance Delilah Dress from Blanc Boutique and jewellery by Gems and Jewels.

Who or what has had the biggest influence on you? My family. I have a very strong family network, and I often reflect on how my father ran his private printing company and the influence his methods of working have had on the decisions I have made. He worked very hard and was a fantastic leader and decision-maker. He always involved us in the business, having us meet the employees and explaining how the business worked. Dad was very generous and honest, and he cared a lot about his staff.

My twin sister, Sally, has also had a big influence on everything I do, and her intuitive reflections on my capabilities and schedule help me maintain a much better work–life balance. We have a unique connection, and I’m so lucky to have an amazing friend, supporter and adviser at the end of the phone every day. What would you say is your biggest achievement? Successfully turning Mitchell Harris from a start-up, wholesale wine business into a thriving hospitality concern that has a $1.8 million dollar turnover. I developed a joy of bringing people together and have them come along for the journey. What’s your ultimate day in Ballarat? Early-morning exercise and taking in amazing Lake Wendouree. Coffee, healthy breakfast and kids’ sports – it’s fun watching kids learn new skills. I’m a keen recycler and consequently enjoy visiting the Mill markets. I also try to fit in a visit to the Art Gallery of Ballarat before dropping in to Mitchell Harris and then catching up with friends over a home-cooked dinner of local produce. What was your first job? A paper run six mornings a week for three years. What would you say to your teenage self now? Don’t be afraid to set up your own business when you are young; you have amazing energy and ideas. Watch out because the planet is going to warm up at twice the rate that people will predict. Also, don’t wear your mum’s knitted jumpers for too long into your teenage years! If you could have lunch with any woman, who would it be and why? Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany. She is someone who is not afraid to use her considerable intellect to solve problems for her country and the world. Walk us through a typical work day for you. Well, we don’t drink wine all day! However, we do schedule regular catch-ups with food and beverage representatives to try new products that have a strong local-supplier focus.