About the WPDN

[What is the WPDN?] [History of the WPDN] [The Benefits of Being Involved]
[Our Achievements] [The Steering Group] [Working Parties] [Chapters] [Our Patron]

What is the WPDN?
The WPDN is a development initiative for all women professional staff of the University of Adelaide.

The Women's Professional Development Network (WPDN) was established in 1995. It is open to all women professional staff at the University of Adelaide and focuses on issues affecting the professional and personal development needs of women professional staff.

A Steering Group initiates and develops strategies identified by the Network. Some of these include lunchtime networking forums, social breakfasts, an annual mentoring program, workshops, discounts on gym membership, and social activities.

All women professional staff are encouraged to join in the activities of the Network.

Our Purpose Statement
The WPDN develops, promotes and evaluates initiatives that foster an environment in which women professional staff can identify and achieve their potential through:

• Networks
• Professional and personal development
• Mentoring
• Policy development and implementation
• Fostering mutual respect
• Women's Leadership
• Gender Equity

Focus

Our focus is women professional staff at the University of Adelaide.

1. To maintain and extend a womens network and link to other networks within the University. 

2. To identify and promote the professional and personal development needs of women. 

3. To promote, implement and extend mentoring opportunities. 

4. To share information that assists in womens personal and professional development. 

5. To actively contribute to the development and implementation of policies, procedures and practices affecting the employment and career development of women. 

6. To foster an environment of mutual respect. 

7. To promote, nurture and model women's leadership. 

8. To support the University's commitment to the principles of gender equity.

History of the WPDN
For a brief history of the WPDN please click here.

The Benefits of Being Involved
Why should you get involved in the WPDN? Here's a few reasons:

• If you attend the Social Breakfasts and Lunchtime Networking Forums (LNFs), you'll get to meet and network with other professional staff women from around the University. You can share experiences, issues and challenges. You may even hear a solution for a common problem!
• At the LNFs, you'll hear experts discuss professional and personal development issues (eg, stress management, time management, career planning), and share their personal experiences. You may even be inspired!
• You'll learn about professional development opportunities at LNFs, and on the WPDN Listserver.
• If you join the WPDN Mentoring Program, you'll have a mentor to discuss issues with. You can learn from their experience.
• You can help reduce stress and improve your health by attending Yoga.

So come along and get involved. After all, what have you got to lose?

Our Achievements

• 2008
• 2007
• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001
• 2000
• 1999
• 1998
• 1997
• 1996

The Steering Group
The Steering Group is made up of professional staff women at all levels, and from various areas, of the University. The Group initiates and develops strategies and activities identified by the network.

Steering Group Members
Minutes of Meetings

Working Parties
The WPDN has a number of coordinators and f working parties to deal with specific initiatives or issues.

Events Coordinators
Coordinate Program of events including Lunchtime Networking Forums, Come and Try and other special events.

Health and Well-Being
Arranges wellbeing breakfasts, other wellbeing activities and offers including the WPDN Fernwood Fitness Centre Offer.

Mentoring
Runs the WPDN Mentoring Program.

Communication
Maintains the WPDN web site and electronic mailing list, publishes advertisements in University newsletters, and produces brochures, bookmarks, posters and other promotional material.

Chapters
In 2004, the WPDN established a Roseworthy Chapter. The aim of the Chapter is to provide University of Adelaide professional staff women at the Roseworthy campus opportunities to:

• network;
• develop themselves and their career; and
• build relationships with other groups on campus.

The Chapter is coordinated by Rosanne Coates. For further information, contact Rosanne.

Our Patron
Emeritus Professor Fay Gale AO, FASSA, PhD, D.Univ (Adel) Hon.D.Litt (UWA).
13 June 1932 - 3 May 2008

It is with great sadness that we note that Emeritus Professor Fay Gale AO passed away in June 2008. Fay was a much valued patron of the WPDN and we are proud and honoured to have been affiliated with her. Our condolences to her family and friends.

Professor Gale is President of the Association of Asian Social Science Research Councils, and immediate past President of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia. She is also a member of the National Committee of UNESCO, chairs The Social Science Network, and is Patron of the Association of Tertiary Education Management. Professor Gale is a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Western Australia and Chair of the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee. A graduate of the University of Adelaide, she was Pro-Vice Chancellor and Professor of Geography at Adelaide before taking up her appointment in Western Australia, where her other appointments included Chair of the Festival of Perth Board of Management and also of the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra Advisory Board.

Amongst many other activities, Professor Gale has been a member of the Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Council, a Commissioner with the Australian Heritage Commission, a Board member of the Australian Research Council and Chair of the ARC Humanities and Social Science Panel, a member of the Council of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, and President of the Institute of Australian Geographers.

She has published 17 books and monographs and numerous book chapters and journal articles.