Heidelberg helps women win in print

Women in the printing industry are all too few, but Heidelberg’s annual WIP event is doing much to change this. As Print21’s correspondent, Alison Stieven-Taylor went along to the Sydney event to mingle with the state’s women print leaders.

Now in its fifth year, Heidelberg Women in Print attracted 480 to its 2011 events – Melbourne drew the largest crowd, followed closely by Sydney. There were also events held in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Angeline Wyatt, Heidelberg’s Women in Print patron, said the events have evolved from a social evening to a rare environment in which guests can make serious career connections, value-add for their clients, and network. Some have even found mentors.

“Having someone to talk to about your career decisions is invaluable. Women in Print has created this natural mentoring environment where women who have experience in business are prepared to share their knowledge,” says Angeline.

Pictured left to right: Angeline Wyatt, Heidelberg Patron Women in Print, Stacey Currie - WIP Speaker, Karen Goldsmith, NSW Patron WIP.

This year I was invited to the Sydney Women in Print dinner at Doltone House (March 15) where more than 150 women frocked up for the event – yes women frock up even when there are no blokes present.

Last year, I was in Melbourne. Both events presented very similarly in as much as there was a fairly equitable spread of ages, and roles, as well as broad representation from both suppliers and producers.

“Probably one of the most significant distinctions with the Heidelberg Women in Print events versus other events is that women bring their customers. They obviously see the value in the event, and in the speakers and inviting customers is very positive for the industry,” says Karen Goldsmith, NSW Patron for Heidelberg Women in Print, and also executive director GAMAA.  

A key feature of the evenings is the guest speaker. Over the past five years speakers have included high achieving women such as last year’s Sandra Yates and also Catherine Lumby.

This year’s speaker, Stacey Currie, didn’t disappoint in the ‘turning your life around and making a success of it against the odds’ stakes. Stacey’s story was raw in both its content and delivery, but ultimately uplifting. Although apparently some women complained after her speech in Sydney about the use of words like ‘shit’ and ‘crap’. At least she didn’t drop the F bomb. Rather amusing in this day and age to think people still get offended by profanities, especially when used in context – somehow ‘awful’ or ‘horrible’ just wouldn’t have cut it when Stacey spoke of being a victim of domestic violence. I felt disappointed that those who complained failed to see the courage it must have taken for Stacey to tell her harrowing story. I hope they read her book, The Rich Get Richer, The Poor Can Too. Everyone who attended was given a copy.

Angeline is unapologetic. “Right from the outset we wanted this forum to span the breadth and depth of women in the print media industry and drawing speakers from different backgrounds is part of that philosophy,” she said.