Our 30th anniversary celebrations in 2024 are an ideal time to reflect on our history with our eyes firmly on our future. From that first breakfast networking event organised by Mavis and attended by four women to more than 5000 members across the country attending over 50 events annually, Women in Super has a long and proud history. But we know that our industry and our members have changed and so, with a firm commitment to our origins, we look to continue to strengthen our place as a respected voice within the industry and work to remove the gendered inequity in superannuation. 

Our advocacy for structural reforms for women to receive a more equitable share of Australia’s flourishing superannuation assets remains a critical part of our work, and our Super Summit last year provided us with the opportunity to turn our attention to the labour force issues that compound and flow into the gender super gap. This year’s UN IWD theme ‘Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress’ builds on this opportunity and enables us to consider what is still to be done to achieve equal participation for women in the economy. We are delighted to welcome Sam Mostyn and Sharan Burrow as our guest speakers for our Sydney and Melbourne events. 

This year is also about acknowledging and celebrating our volunteers. Our grassroots origins and local connections are a significant source of strength for our national organisation. Our incredible volunteers are a key contributor to this strength, particularly those who hold positions on our local state and territory committees. We are excited to be holding elections for every one of our committees this year and look forward to welcoming new members to be part of building relationships with other members who share similar values and goals, and a desire to work collaboratively to achieve our shared objectives. 

I am so proud to be part of the leadership of this purpose led organisation, proud of its history and thankful for the women who built the foundations for the work we continue to do today. I look forward to celebrating our achievements with you throughout the year and continuing to work alongside you as we navigate the hurdles that stand in our way. Happy 30th to you all.