“International Women’s Day is a moment in time, but the spirit of balancing the scales must happen every day – in our workplaces, boardrooms, operational sites and classrooms.”
Performance by Australian Idol finalist and local artist Gisella Colletti.
That was the message from BHP inclusion champion Rod Ballinger as more than 700 business and community leaders gathered at Crown Perth on March 6 for CCIWA’s International Women’s Day lunch.
Under the theme ‘balance the scales’, the event brought together industry representatives and business professionals to hear from keynote speaker Dr Ann O’Neill and a panel of experts who shared insights on resilience, leadership and creating more inclusive workplaces. Guests were also treated to a powerful performance by Australian Idol 2025 finalist and local artist Gisella Colletti.
Professor Colleen Hayward delivered the Welcome to Country before CCIWA President Nicki Ivory opened the event by highlighting the growing representation of women in leadership positions across Australia.
CCIWA President Nicki Ivory.
She said women currently held 54% of Australian Government board positions, up from 42% in 2017, and 37% of private sector board positions across the ASX300.
Over the past decade Australia’s gender pay gap had narrowed from nearly 19% to about 12%, Ivory said.
“The fact that the gap exists at all shows us there is more work to do, to balance the scales,” she said.
“There’s no doubt we’ve made progress. But we need to do more.
“Back yourself. Apply for the job. Put your hand up for the seat on the board.
“And to those of you who are already on the ladder: back other women.”
O’Neill shared her personal domestic violence story that claimed the lives of her two children and left her with life-changing injuries.
Keynote address by Dr Ann O’Neill.
She spoke about the long-term impact of trauma and understanding “strength, recovery and purpose”.
“Life is not always rosy, it’s not always great. It has its own challenges – some of them big, some of them small,” she said.
“When you get impatient with yourself, with others, with society, remember that change is uncomfortable and it takes practice.
“Practice isn’t about being perfect; it’s about progress.”
Leadership lessons from the panel
O’Neill joined a panel discussion – moderated by MC Lena Constantine, CCIWA Interim Director, Commercial Services – alongside Hayward, Ballinger and Ruah Chief Integrated Services Officer Sarah Toovey, to discuss how workplaces can create more supportive environments.
The panel agreed that open communication and genuine curiosity were key factors in building stronger workplace relationships and ensuring diverse perspectives were valued.
Panel discussion facilitated by CCIWA’s Lena Constantine (left), Dr Ann O’Neill, Professor Colleen Hayward, Ruah’s Sarah Toovey and BHP’s Rod Ballinger.
“I think the work that we all have to do is to look at our own insecurities because that nastiness, that competition, comes from a place of insecurity and not feeling confident in yourself,” Toovey said.
“We need the time to reflect on our own journeys, be conscious of our own areas of development but also be proud to stand at the table where we do have an area of strength.
“When you can do that yourself, and you have confidence in yourself, then I think that naturally means you stop seeing people around you as competition.”
Toovey said while International Women’s Day highlighted some of the challenges and disadvantages women faced, it was also important to remain “aware of our own privilege”.
“Being aware that the person sitting across from you, particularly in your workplace, they have a set of scenarios in their home life that you may never see or never understand,” she said.
“I think we have to extend that curiosity and be open where we can see the practical things we can do as employers to help balance the scales.”
In closing the event, Ballinger, who is BHP General Manager, Newman Operations, challenged the room to leave with “one action, one commitment, one idea”.
The lunch formed part of CCIWA’s ongoing commitment to supporting inclusive workplaces and recognising the contributions of women across Western Australia’s business community.
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