What kind of leader are you? Do you lead with your head or your heart?

From joining the Royal Australian Air Force at 17 to being acting chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Kirstin Ferguson has learnt a thing or two about what it takes to be a good leader.

Kirstin, an author, company director and columnist, talks to Sandra about how you can work out your own leadership style, what the attributes of a great leader are, the importance of perspective, and why it’s not just how you are at work but your leadership at home that counts too.

As she says – you are a leader, you probably just don’t know it yet!

You can find out more about Kirstin, her work, and her book Head & Heart: The Art Of Modern Leadership here - https://www.kirstinferguson.com

Kat Stewart has been a familiar face on Australian stage and screen for a number of years now. The award-winning actress is probably best known for her roles in the television series Offspring, Underbelly and Five Bedrooms, which is just starting its fourth season.

But who is Kat Stewart when she’s not being someone else?

Kat opens up to Sandra about the fame game, the pain of losing her mum, and the importance of telling women’s stories.

Kat Stewart

Josie Clarke is a true force of nature. She’s on a mission to give people from regional and rural areas with a disability a voice, and create opportunities for them to be able to work in the agricultural industry.

Josie’s dad became a paraplegic as a result of an accident on the family’s farm when she was five and it was this, together with the realisation years later that there was a lack of disability support groups in the ag industry, that led to her founding Ability Agriculture.

Her dream is for Ability Agriculture to one day be recognised as the representative voice for disability in the agriculture sector.

Find out more about Josie and Ability Agriculture here - https://abilityagriculture.com

Josie Clarke

Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM

Faith Agugu could never understand the negativity surrounding ageing for women in Western society, especially as in her native Africa the oldest person is always the most revered. She decided to do something about it, and Silver Sirens was born. Silver Sirens is all about redefining ageing, and provides a platform for women to rewrite this negative narrative and redirect energy to themselves.

In this frank, funny and honest look at ageing, Faith talks to Sandra about topics including what she’s enjoying about getting older, how psychotherapy works, the importance of community, and how we can change the stigma around menopause and ageing.

You can find out more about Faith and her work here – https://www.silversirens.org and https://www.thehealingprocess.com.au

Faith Agugu

You could say Buds & Beads was born out of love and friendship. Founders Jo Thomas and Karina Barry have been best buddies for more than half their lives and, when the opportunity presented itself, jumped at the chance to try something new.

Launching the business in late 2022 with a range of 17 loose-leaf teas and three sparkling, their sparkling tea is the first of its kind in Australia and is already winning awards.

They talk to Sandra about everything from choosing the right tea varieties to finding the first major customer, what it’s like going into business with your best friend, and what they have learned about themselves along the way,

Find out more about Buds and Beads here - https://budsandbeads.com.au/

Buds & Beads

Welcome to Season 5 of Short Black!

Rosemary Kariuki’s joie de vivre is infectious. She is so vivacious it’s hard to believe that she fled her native Kenya to escape from family abuse and political unrest. Now happily settled in Australia, she is the Multicultural Liaison Officer for NSW Police and spends her time helping migrants overcome situations including isolation, financial stress, domestic violence and, of course, language barriers.

Her remarkable work in this field has led to her being named the 2021 Local Hero in the Australian Of The Year Awards, and the following year she was recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Rosemary has a big heart and a big smile, and we are very excited to share her story with you as we launch the new season of Short Black.

Rosemary Kariuki OAM

Australia's Best Interview podcast will be back in 2023

A Message From Sandra

Natassia Nicolao is a young woman who’s making waves – without water.

Natassia is the winner of this year’s Australian Women’s Weekly Women Of The Future award and the founder and director of Conserving Beauty, Australia’s first waterless beauty brand. She is using her background in science to generate less waste and reduce the beauty industry’s water footprint. With most beauty products currently made up of 70-90 per cent water, that’s no small task.

Conserving Beauty creates products that use no water and leave no waste and the company has recently launched the world’s first disposable make-up wipes. Natassia has also formed Australia’s first all-female board of directors, and counts Elle MacPherson as one of her closest friends. And she’s only 28!

You can find out more about Natassia’s vision here: https://www.conservingbeauty.com

Natassia Nicolao

Professor Veena Sahajwalla is the queen of recycling. The 2022 NSW Australian of the Year pioneers research into waste destined for landfill, literally turning trash into treasure. Her revolutionary green steel and green ceramics are being used in building and construction developments around Australia and overseas.

A materials scientist, engineer and inventor, Professor Veena also developed the world’s first e-waste micro factory. She is the founding director of the Sustainable Materials Research & Technology (SMaRT) Centre at the University of New South Wales.

You can find out more about Professor Veena’s work and the SMaRT Centre here: https://www.smart.unsw.edu.au

Professor Veena Sahajwalla

Erica Berchtold moved from the bricks and mortar world of fashion to take over the reins as CEO of one of Australia’s top online retailers, The Iconic.

In the few short years Erica has been there, The Iconic has dealt with covid and doubled the size of its business. She talks to Sandra about the importance of customer service, and why curiosity plays a big part in progress.

You can find out more about The Iconic here: https://www.theiconic.com.au/playbook/story

Erica Berchtold

Lisa McGuigan is a fourth-generation winemaker from Australia’s Hunter Valley.  A true force of nature, she is known for her distinctive Gothic style and her unique metallic wine labels.

From finishing school in Switzerland to opening the cellar door of her dreams (in a pandemic), Lisa opens up about how winemaking wasn’t her first love and the challenges of being recognised as a winemaker in her own right.

As she says, life’s too short not to drink good wine.

You can find out more about Lisa and her wines here: www.lisamcguiganwines.com

Lisa McGuigan

Launched just before Covid brought the world to a standstill, the timing actually proved just right for Jessica Brown’s Warrior Woman Foundation. Through the Foundation Jessica is making a massive difference to the lives of at-risk and vulnerable women, providing mentoring and education programs to help them live safely and independently.

Jessica’s goal is for every Australian woman to achieve independence through, among other things, financial wellbeing, especially younger women transitioning out of the welfare and education systems.

Jess opens up about starting a charitable organisation from scratch, the extra challenges brought about by being in lockdown for so long, and the overwhelming support she has received from other women.

As she says, magic happens when women work together.

https://warriorwoman.org.au

Jessica Brown

Who is Nicola Forrest? Mother, philanthropist and country girl at heart, Nicola has largely flown under the radar – until now.

From walking two steps behind her husband, mining magnate Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest, Nicola has now stepped out into her own light. The co-founder and co-chair of the Minderoo Foundation is passionate about bettering the lives of our children and helping them reach their full potential, and through her Women For Progress and Thrive By Five initiatives is campaigning for, among other things, affordable early childhood learning and an end to the gender pay gap.

This episode does talk about the loss of a child which may be upsetting for some listeners. If you, or anyone you know, is in need of support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

You can find out more about the Minderoo Foundation, Women For Progress and Thrive By Five on these websites: 
www.minderoo.org
https://thrivebyfive.org.au 

Nicola Forrest AO

After 15 years in the corporate space, Michelle Bowditch went from being an employee to running her own business. She created Door 20a after seeing a need to help women understand the tech side of business.

A self-confessed tech lover, Michelle now uses her passion for technology to help women in business and Executive Assistants to get ahead. A former EA herself, she recently founded the Australian Admin Awards to celebrate these unsung heroes of the business world.

Find out more about Michelle here - https://door20a.com/

Michelle Bowditch

Lenore Taylor is one of Australia’s best-known journalists.

In this open and honest conversation, the two-time Walkley winner opens up about her illustrious career, from meeting Sandra in the Press Gallery in Canberra 30 years ago to her current role as editor of Guardian Australia, overcoming impostor syndrome (is that possible?) and the changing face of media.

And what role does Tik Tok play in the future of journalism?

Lenore Taylor

Natalie Walker has an impressive resume and has held positions in human rights and Indigenous affairs in the not-for-profit, corporate and government sectors.

The founder of Inside Policy, she was the inaugural CEO of Supply Nation, has represented Australia in the G20 Women Business Leaders Taskforce and was recently appointed Social Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission.

Natalie also holds non-executive director positions with Goodstart Early Learning and the Paul Ramsay Foundation, among others.

She is passionate about universal childcare and believes it should be accessible to all children. After all it is, as she says, the best investment in the future of our country.

Natalie Walker

Are some of your friendships actually bad for you and your health?

Neuropsychologist Dr Hannah Korrel has spent the last 10 or so years figuring out why our brain makes us do the things we do.

Drawing on some of her own experiences, Hannah has written a book about navigating friendships - and knowing when to let go.

She talks to Sandra about toxic friendships, what makes a good friend, and why some friendships are more emotionally draining than others.

How many friends do you really need?

https://hannahkorrel.com

Dr Hannah Korrel

When Colleen Callander started her first job in fashion retail at 16, she had no idea it would be the start of a 30-year career that would lead to her being CEO of two of Australia’s most iconic fashion brands, Sussan and Sportsgirl.

Now a successful mentor and author, Colleen has made it her mission to help shape the new era of female leadership.

https://www.colleencallander.com.au

Colleen Callander

Since founding Australia for UNHCR 20 years ago, Naomi Steer has certainly made her mark on the world of philanthropy. Naomi is a passionate advocate for refugees, and under her leadership the agency has grown to be one of the UNHCR’s 10 top private-sector contributors worldwide.

She talks to Sandra about philanthropy and the detrimental affect the pandemic has had on already-difficult situations for refugee women and their families.

Find out more about Australia for UNHCR here: https://www.unrefugees.org.au

Naomi Steer

Collette Dinnigan is one of Australia’s most successful fashion and interior designers. She has shown at Paris Fashion Week more than 30 times, and her clothes have been worn by the likes of the Duchess of Cambridge, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Kylie Minogue, P!nk, Diana Ross, Cameron Diaz and Beyoncé.

In recent years she’s launched a ceramics line, has a number of short-stay properties both in Australia and Italy, and has written a couple of children’s books. She’s even appeared on a postage stamp!

And right now she can be seen cooking up a storm in the current season of Celebrity Masterchef Australia, available on Channel 10 or 10 Play.

https://collettedinnigan.com/

Collette Dinnigan AO

Julia Morris is one of Australia’s most accomplished performers. But when she’s not co-hosting I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, touring her stand-up shows, writing, producing or popping into television and radio studios across the country, who is she?

It’s a frank, funny conversation about showbiz, saving lives, and all the important things including how many raspberry bullets does it take to get through a lockdown.

Julia Morris

Sister Mary-Lynne Cochrane has been living with chronic pain for nearly 40 years. A diagnosis of debilitating arthritis started a chain of events which has led to 24 surgeries and a 30-year dependence on opioids.

Now drug free and managing her pain through a multi-disciplinary approach, Mary-Lynne believes that no one should have to live with chronic pain. With one in five Australians currently living with pain, Mary-Lynne is using her voice and her story to help sufferers enjoy a better quality of life. She is on the board of Pain Australia and was instrumental in the formation of the Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management Group.

To find out more about Pain Australia, visit their website - www.painaustralia.com.au

To learn more about The Sisters of the Good Samaritan of the Order of St Benedict, visit their website - https://www.goodsams.org.au/ 

Sister Mary-Lynne Cochrane

Like most kids brought up in rural Australia, Sarah Prime couldn’t wait to leave the family farm in South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula and head for the bright lights of the big city.

Returning to the area years later she was shocked to see that the once-thriving towns and communities of her childhood were now, in her words, places that ‘people sped past on their way to somewhere else’.

Realising that the decline in rural areas was heading to a point of no return, she left her corporate career behind and set up the Champions Academy, through which she is engaging the next generation in the process of revitalising rural regions by becoming problem solvers, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Find out more about Sarah here - www.sarahprime.com

Sarah Prime

Rhiannon Ward has made it her mission to, as she says, elevate and liberate women. Her goal is to see more women in leadership roles and more female-led businesses, and all women becoming who they are meant to be.

In an honest and open conversation Rhi opens up about the difference between a coach and a mentor, being vulnerable, harnessing your superpower, and the ever-present impostor syndrome.

Find out more about Rhi here - https://itsrhiannon.com/

Rhiannon Ward

Sam Mostyn is back to answer all those burning questions: How does a board work? What are the director’s responsibilities? How do you manage all those interpersonal dynamics?

So if you’re interested in the path to the boardroom, the differences between a board role and an operating role, and what characteristics are most valuable once you are in the room, this is the podcast for you.

Sam also talks about her time at the AFL Commission and how she was instrumental in sowing the seeds for the women’s league.

Find out more about Chief Executive Women here - cew.org.au

Sam Mostyn AO – Part 2

Sam Mostyn’s career has spanned business, politics, science and the arts, the not-for-profit sector, indigenous reconciliation and sport. She serves as a non-executive director on a number of boards, including the Sydney Swans and the Centre for Policy Development, and is the President of Chief Executive Women.

In an illuminating conversation, Sam covers a wide and diverse range of topics including her time working with former high court judge Michael Kirby and former Prime Minister Paul Keating, millennials, climate change and leadership.

Find out more about Sam and some of the organisations she works with:

Chief Executive Women - cew.org.au

Foundation for Young Australians - www.fya.org.au 

Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety - www.anrows.org.au 

Sam Mostyn AO – Part 1

Sue Brierley was thrust into the spotlight when her adopted son Saroo’s journey to find his birth mother was made into the critically-acclaimed movie Lion.

A few years after the movie came out, Saroo convinced Sue that the world needed to hear her story. Lioness is a down-to-earth and deeply personal account of domestic abuse, families and adoption.

In this frank and candid conversation with Sandra, Sue shares her feelings about her own difficult upbringing, the reasons behind her determination to do things differently when it came to a family of her own, and the reality of adopting and raising two very different children.

And what exactly is the ‘mother myth’?

Sue Brierley

Lola Berry isn’t afraid to live life to the fullest. Nutritionist, author, presenter, yoga teacher, she’s experienced success and failure in equal measure - and that’s ok. After all, she says, that’s how we grow.

A firm believer that health and happiness go hand in hand, Lola talks to Sandra about striking the right balance, bringing it back to basics, and doing what works best for you.

Find out more about Lola at lolaberry.com 

Lola Berry

We all look after our bodies but what about our minds? Elise Biaylew founded Mindful In May about seven years ago to show people there is more to meditation than just sitting still. 

Mindful In May now has people from more than 60 countries taking part each year. And in the spirit of giving something back, the program also raises funds to provide drinking water to communities in developing countries. 

Elise talks to Sandra about how training our mind and anchoring our intention in just 10 minutes a day is not as hard as it sounds. 

https://www.mindfulinmay.org/

Elise Biaylew

Fabian Dattner has been making waves in the leadership space for the past 30 years. 

Her latest venture, Homeward Bound, literally came to her in a dream a few years ago, and now every year her team take the world’s future STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine) leaders on the voyage of a lifetime to Antarctica. 

https://dattnergroup.com.au/ 

https://homewardboundprojects.com.au/ 

Fabian Dattner

NSW SES Commissioner York is the first female to be in charge of any emergency service or policing agency in the history of NSW.

In the first few months of taking up the role she had to deal with the worst bushfires in Australian history, which were closely followed by major floods and then the pandemic that shut down the world. Definitely a year to remember.

To find out more about the SES and how you can get involved, visit https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/get-involved/

NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York APM

The role of the Executive Assistant is one that not a lot of people know about.

The unsung heroes of the workplace, the EA is the CEO’s right hand, the keeper of secrets, and the soul of discretion, while knowing everything that is going on.

Dimitra Zographos, the Executive Manager of the EA Circle, tells us more. 

https://www.theceocircle.com/the-ea-circle/

Dimitra Zographos

Malaan Ajang and Tina Kuek came to the nation’s attention on The Amazing Race Australia. These high achievers have been best friends since they were little, after meeting as refugees in Africa. By sheer coincidence they arrived in Australia at around the same time and have let nothing separate them since.

Hear them talk about their experiences as refugees and adapting to life in Australia, especially getting to grips with the local lingo.

Catch The Amazing Race Australia on Network 10 or here: https://10play.com.au/the-amazing-race-australia

Malaan Ajang & Tina Kuek

There’s never a wrong time to do good, says Ronni Kahn AO.

From humble beginnings in South Africa to founding and running Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, Oz Harvest, Ronni says she thrives ‘on a bit of crazy.

Australia has come a long way when it comes to food waste but, as she tells Sandra, we still have a long way to go. 

www.ozharvest.org

Ronni Kahn AO

Every creature is so important to the way in which we live our life, says Kim McKay, the first female Director and CEO of the Australian Museum.

She’s certainly made her mark on the oldest museum in Australia in her six years at the helm, creating new galleries and exhibitions and championing free admission for children.

Kim is a passionate environmentalist, having co-founded Clean Up Australia, and strong supporter of women in leadership.

And she never takes no for an answer.

https://australian.museum/

Kim McKay AO

Businesswoman, teacher, author, company director, advice columnist, Wendy McCarthy has done it all.

A keen advocate for women’s rights, she encourages young women to say yes to opportunity and worry about the risk later - but not when it comes to sex.

Wendy McCarthy AO

Katherine has been described as the exciting new voice of Australian crime fiction.

A Network 10 journalist and also reporting for CBS in New York, Katherine talks about the part her years spent covering grisly court cases played in her debut novel Sticks and Stones. 

Katherine Firkin

Sam Bloom was in Thailand on holiday with her family when she suffered a horrendous accident that left her paralysed. Six years later she’s a world champion with two books and a Hollywood movie about her life about to be released.

She opens up to Sandra about her extraordinary journey, and how a magpie called Penguin made her realise that life was worth living. 

As she says - she’s not the woman she was, she’s not the woman she wanted to be. She is so much more than that.

www.sambloom.com.au

www.spinalcure.org.au

www.neura.edu.au

Sam Bloom

Marina Go doesn’t stop.

After a successful career as a journalist and editor, helming popular titles like Dolly and Cosmo, she’s moved seamlessly into the boardroom space and is making her voice heard around Australia as independent chair and non-executive director of a range of organisations as diverse as 7-11, the Walkleys and Super Netball.

But how has she managed to reconnect with Dolly readers from 30 years ago?

www.tonicmag.com.au

Marina Go

Nurse, farmer, wife, mother - Bronnie Taylor brings a wealth of experience to her role as New South Wales’ Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women.

She talks to Sandra about calling out bad behaviour in the workplace and how to deal when it gets personal.

The Hon. Bronnie Taylor MLC

Aesop said that union gives strength, and strength is something Sally McManus has in spades.

The first female Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions opens up about COVID, soldiering on with a broken leg, and what she gets up to when she does have some spare time.

Sally McManus

Only three per cent of all the statues in Australia are of women.

Frankly, that sucks, says Professor Clare Wright, who is redressing the way Australia’s history has been written as if women weren’t part of building the nation, starting with a country-wide campaign for more statues and memorials of historic women.

Professor Clare Wright OAM

Betty Klimenko’s journey has had more twists and turns than the toughest racetrack.

She opens up to Sandra about her riches-to-rags-to-riches life, and having to adapt the sport of racing for a world in the throes of a pandemic.

https://erebusmotorsport.com/

Betty Klimenko

Mae West said, ‘You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough'.

Deborra-Lee is certainly doing that. As well as being a successful actress, director and producer, she is a tireless advocate for vulnerable children and a multitude of charities.

For more information and to make a donation head to www.adoptchange.org.au

www.neighbours.com

Deborra-Lee Furness

Josephine trained as a scientist and now runs one of Australia’s most successful building companies. She talks to Sandra about making her mark in a male-dominated industry, and how she’s encouraging the next generation to do the same.

https://www.buildcorp.com.au

There is some discussion of suicide in this episode. If this raises any concerns or issues please call Lifeline Australia on 131114

Josephine Sukkar

The coronavirus pandemic has seen the majority of the workforce shifting to working from home.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, says Catherine, one of Australia’s leading commentators on women and the workforce, who has been advocating for fairer workplaces for nearly 30 years.

Catherine Fox

Content is Beverley's passion as well as her profession.

In an industry where the only constant is change, Bev talks about her role as Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President of ViacomCBS Australia & New Zealand, as well as the importance of taking risks and not being afraid to try new things.

Beverley McGarvey

Gabrielle can tell you a story or three. She’s a sought-after global thought leader on authentic leadership and business storytelling.

As she says: “A great communicator, regardless of their profession, needs to be able to uncomplicate the complicated.”

https://gabrielledolan.com

Gabrielle Dolan

No one was more surprised than Cecily when her father asked her to take over running the family business. A business he had built up from scratch at a time when the steel industry was no place for a woman.

Now she is the only female CEO in the wholesale sheet distribution business in Australia

https://qss.net.au

Cecily McGuckin

In a special early Short Black to celebrate International Women’s Day, Sandra talks to Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins as she prepares for the release of her landmark National Enquiry Into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces  

https://www.humanrights.gov.au/

Kate Jenkins

Ever wonder what the workplace of the future looks like?

Eliane Miles was so curious, she’s made it her business.

Through her strategic social trends consultancy, the Curious Co, she works closely with business leaders to challenge assumptions and make sure they have their finger on the pulse in the ever-changing experience economy.

https://www.thecurious.co/

Eliane Miles

Dr Amantha Imber has made it her mission to help people be happier at work.

As an innovation psychologist she likes nothing better than making complex science simple and helping people live a fuller life – with fewer digital distractions.

https://www.inventium.com.au/

Dr Amantha Imber

As Vogue Australia enters its 60th year (quite fittingly its Diamond Jubilee), editorial director Edwina McCann knows how important it is to stay at the top of your game.

Edwina has come full circle, having started her career at the publication as a fashion assistant and coming back 20 years later to take up her current role. 

She sat down with Sandra at the CommBank Women In Focus Conference in August last year.

www.vogue.com.au

www.commbank.com.au/women-in-focus.html

Edwina McCann

The CEOs of Beam Australia, Stephanie Reuss and Victoria Stuart, are game changers when it comes to helping working women, and men, pursue their dream career with the flexibility they need.

In the few short years since they founded Beam Australia, the company has added $13 million to the economy in the form of incremental salaries, and itself exceeded $1 million in turnover.

www.beamaustralia.com.au

Beam Australia

Marita Cheng really is the poster girl for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The former Young Australian of the Year and Forbes Under 30 alumna is taking the world of robotics by storm.

She talks to Sandra about her passion for engineering, life in Silicon Valley, and meeting royalty, virtually.

www.maritacheng.com

Marita Cheng

Olivia Wirth has spent the last decade in various roles at Qantas, and is currently CEO of Qantas Loyalty.

Whichever way you look at it she’s flying high, but it hasn’t always been that way.

Olivia opens up about her journey, and why it’s ok to make mistakes.

Olivia Wirth

Julie Bishop has had a phenomenal career. The former Liberal leader and Australia’s first female foreign minister was a lawyer for 20 years before moving into politics. She’s since kicked off her red shoes and is forging a career in the private sector.

She sat down with Sandra for a Q+A at the CommBank Women In Focus Conference earlier this year.

Special thanks to CommBank for use of the audio from the Women In Focus conference. Women In Focus supports women at all stages of business by sharing real stories and practical expertise, and fostering trusted connections with like-minded women.

https://www.commbank.com.au/women-in-focus.html

Julie Bishop

Cyan Ta’eed takes entrepreneur to a new level. Cy and hubby Collis are the brains behind the billon-dollar business Envato and recently came in at number four on the AFR’s Young Rich List with an estimated wealth of almost $800 million.

From her love of chocolate her social enterprise Hey Tiger was born, and her latest venture Milkshake hopes to bring all the Instagrammers to the yard.

You can find out more about Cyan's projects at:

www.envato.com

www.heytiger.com.au

www.milkshake.app

Cyan Ta'eed

In the last episode of our Women In Racing series, Short Black producer Ali Aitken decided to mix things up and put Sandra in the hot seat for a chat about racing, her stint co-hosting the Melbourne Cup, and the time she kept a a secret from her boss!

Sandra Sully

In the fourth episode of our women in racing series, Sandra talks to two ladies who are going to be right in the heart of the action today as part of Network 10’s Melbourne Cup crew.

First up is Brittany Taylor. Racing is in Brittany’s blood, she was born into one of WA’s top racing families. Not only will she be the first to talk to the winning jockey today, she’ll also be the first female to provide 10’s race day coverage on horseback.

Our second guest started out as a keen amateur jockey before fate intervened, and now no Cup Day would be complete without her guiding us through the line up before the race. Sandra caught up with Francesca Cumani earlier this year at Ascot.

Brittany Taylor and Francesca Cumani

Our Women in Racing series continues with Sandra talking to Amanda Elliott, the first female to be appointed the Victoria Racing Club chairperson in its long history.

Amanda lives and breathes horse racing. Apart from her dedication to her work with the VRC, Amanda has continued her families long association with the sport by being an owner and breeder of thoroughbred horses.

Amanda Elliott

Katie Page is a passionate advocate of women in racing. Her ground-breaking Magic Millions Racing Women initiative was set up to highlight the important roles women hold in thoroughbred racing and breeding, and has been hugely successful with the number of female racehorse owners is growing each year.

It’s no wonder, then, that women are becoming the fastest-growing segment in the racing industry.

As well as this she has also found the time to become one of the longest-running female chief executives in Australia, managing retail chain Harvey Norman’s 200-store network with her husband Gerry.

Katie Page

As Melbourne Cup fever starts to take hold around the country, for the next few episodes we are highlighting women in racing who have without doubt taken the reins.

First out of the starting gate is one of the world’s most respected horse trainers.

An icon of the industry, Gai Waterhouse has trained 135 Group 1 winners, and was the first Australian woman - and only the third female - to train a Melbourne Cup winner. An Australian Sports medal recipient and a Racing and Sporting Hall of Fame inductee, there is not much more Gai could possibly achieve in her field. Yet her passion is as strong today as it was when her career began.

Gai Waterhouse

Cathie Reid certainly lives life to the fullest.

She’s a wife, mother, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and business owner with a love of fashion and technology.  

She co-founded Epic Group and Icon Group, the largest supplier of integrated oncology services in Australia. Icon has more than 3,000 employees and helps two million cancer patients a year.

She’s also an astronaut in training, having booked her spot on the first Virgin Galactic flight.

As she says: We each only get one life and I intend to make mine as epic as I possibly can! 

https://cathiereid.com

Cathie Reid

Jacqui Louez Schoorl says thank you for the music by making sure the people behind the record get the credit they deserve.​

She’s passionate about people getting recognition for the work they’ve done, and has spent the last 10 years – through her company Jaxsta – on a mission to curate the most comprehensive source of official music credits in the world.

It’s a journey that’s taken her from Sydney to the Grammys.

A girl from Darlinghurst taking on the world, one credit at a time.

https://jaxsta.com

Jacqui Louez Schoorl

Kath Koschel’s remarkable story is one of extraordinary resilience – and kindness.

After overcoming the most extraordinary challenges – having her cricket career cut short by injury, having to learn to walk again, not once but twice, and losing the love of her life – Kath is now on a mission to make the world a better place through kindness, one small act at a time.

Her philosophy is that the single notion of someone believing in us can mean so much, a message she is spreading through her non-profit organisation, Kindness Factory.

https://kindnessfactory.com

Please note this episode contains mention of suicide which some listeners may find disturbing. If you need to talk to someone please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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