Help create a fairer, safer and more inclusive Greater Bendigo
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A gender equitable community is where all genders are treated with respect and have equal opportunities in every aspect of life – from fair pay and leadership representation to equal access to facilities and participation pathways.
The Coalition is a diverse collective of individuals, organisations, businesses, schools, community and groups in the private, public and community sectors dedicated to advancing gender equity across Greater Bendigo.
When gender equity is prioritised it challenges the inequality and disrespect that drives violence against women, and fosters safer, more inclusive communities free from family violence, gender-based harm and discrimination.
Together, we’re advancing a culture of gender equity; we’re building momentum for real change through collaboration, shared learning and collective advocacy.
Ways Gender Coalition members can be involved:
- Receive the Gender Equity Coalition newsletter, which includes events, resources, and opportunities to build relevant skills and knowledge.
- Advocate for gender equity in Greater Bendigo.
- Advance and contribute towards achieving gender equity through attending Coalition activities, events or campaigns, or joining a Coalition Group.
- Build connections with others passionate about achieving gender equity.
Our purpose
To be a vehicle for partnerships and collaborative work that enables public, private and community organisations to advance a culture of gender equity in the City of Greater Bendigo (CoGB).
Our Vision
Greater Bendigo is a community where all people are respected, safe and gender equal.
The Coalition's strategic objectives are:
- To facilitate initiatives to advance a culture of gender equity with a focus on specific sectors and settings .
- To build strategic alignment with key stakeholders to generate gender equity advocacy .
- To facilitate peer support for organisations to develop policies and practices which demonstrate commitment to gender equity .
- Collaborate with other partnerships working on parallel issues in the CoGB.
Our priorities are to:
- Align actions with Members' capacity.
- Learn through exchange.
- Sharpen our advocacy and leadership for gender equity.
We will:
- Be guided by the needs of member organisations for gender equity support.
- Develop innovative partnerships for training, forums, and engagement .
- Focus on 3-4 settings to ensure manageability and success within our resources.
- Measure how well we are doing and report annually to members .
Opportunities for coalition members engagement
- Coalition Network
- Community Engagement Group/Community Engagement Executive representation
- Leadership/Governance Group/ Community Engagement Executive representation.
Please note, this list is not exhaustive and does not include individual members.
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Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Actions (DEECA) |
Women with Disabilities Victoria |
Coalition leadership group
Mandy Hutchinson
Chair of the Gender Equity Leadership Governance Group
As CEO of BCHS, I’ve seen first-hand how gender equity transforms workplaces, families and communities. Chairing the Coalition is an opportunity to bring people and organisations together around that shared purpose. I’m passionate about turning our collective commitment into action, supporting members to build their capacity, learn from each other, and lead change that makes gender equity real across Greater Bendigo.
Angie Dredge
CEO
Heathcote Health
Heathcote Health is a small rural health service. My substantive role is Director of Clinical Care, although I am currently the Interim Chief Executive Officer.
I wanted to be part of the Gender Equity Coalition as I believe gender equity is fundamental to delivering fair, effective and person-centered care. The promotion of gender equity in health can foster trust, particularly in the area of domestic violence, and improve overall community wellbeing.
Belinda Buck
Director of Strategy, Programs & Partnerships Women’s Health Loddon Mallee
As a current member of the Gender Equity Coalition Leadership group, I bring almost four years of experience advancing women’s health and gender equity initiatives in the Loddon Mallee region. Being part of the Coalition is important to me because I am committed to driving meaningful change in our community. My involvement is motivated by a strong belief in collective action that addresses systemic barriers to gender equity and the positive impact it has on creating a more equitable future for everyone.
Kate Wright
CEO
Centre Against Sexual Assault for Central Victoria (CASACV)
CASACV provide counselling, advocacy, and support services for children, young people, and adults who have experienced sexual violence and abuse across the Loddon Region. They recognise that sexual and gender-based violence is driven by structural inequality, discrimination, and unequal power dynamics. CASACV is committed to the Gender Equity Coalition because by creating fair, inclusive systems and opportunities they can address the drivers of violence and build safer and more equitable communities for all people.
Dave Burton
Executive Officer
Goldfields LLEN
I have over 25 years’ experience in developing community capacity through education, arts and technology initiatives internationally, and have a strong passion for gender equity across all age groups.
If we are going to make meaningful change in gender equity, we need to start with education. Through the Coalition, I see an opportunity to develop community advocacy and understanding through the capacity development of local leaders, educators, and businesses.
Eileen Brownless
Gender Equity Coalition Deputy Chair
Community member
As the Executive Officer of Bendigo Loddon Primary Care Partnership I became a founding member of the Gender Equity Coalition at its inception in 2019 working with the strong recognition of the gendered nature of violence and driver of family violence.
My background work is nursing, women’s health and community services, community development, and leadership roles in community health. My passion is working collaboratively in partnership to achieve social change and to develop thinking to support system change to make it happen.
Ember Chittenden
Head of Programs
Bendigo Tech School / Latrobe University
With 20+ years of leadership in education, I champion gender equity through reform, inclusion and collaboration. I lead programs that create equitable pathways for women and girls in STEAM. As a Zonta Bendigo member, I support global initiatives for women. I serve on international committees, including those linked to UN Women and Women in Science. I joined the Coalition to support a united, place-based movement for lasting cultural and structural change. Being part of the Leadership group allows me to work alongside others committed to building a safe, respectful and inclusive Greater Bendigo.
Jess Howard
Director, Healthy Communities and Environments
City of Greater Bendigo
My role currently involves overseeing key community services such as maternal and child health, immunisation, early learning centres, environmental health, local laws, sport and recreation, climate change resilience, and emergency management.
My work also includes the City’s work in the gender equity space, as part of the community partnerships team.
The City is proud to support the work of the Gender Equity Coalition.
Kate Mannix
Chief Executive Officer
AFS & Associates Accounting and Consulting
I am passionate about inclusive leadership and regional advocacy, especially in private enterprise. I am Regional Chair and board director for the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I also sit on the Bendigo Health Foundation Board and contribute to the AICD Loddon Mallee committee. I lead workplace gender equity initiatives and support community-led change across business sectors. Joining the Coalition reflects my commitment to practical reform through collaboration and advocacy. I believe equitable workplaces and communities are key to long-term prosperity and resilience.
Margaret Augerinos
Chief Executive Officer
Centre for Non-Violence
The Centre for Non-Violence (CNV) provides family violence response, recovery and prevention programs for victim survivors and people who use violence across the Loddon Region. Being part of the Gender Equity Coalition is a key priority for CNV.
Gender based violence is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality, so engaging with the important work of the coalition supports our efforts to achieve gender and social equality.
Mark Hands
Chief Executive Officer
Goldfields Libraries
I am a Bendigo local who loves what libraries represent in terms of a space for everyone. It’s a place where the idea of equality is valued.
My involvement in the Coalition is linked to the values we hold at the library and my own belief that we all should have the right to choose what we want to be without the hindrance or pressure of gendered stereotypes.
Sue Clarke
Zonta Club Bendigo INC.
I represent Zonta Club of Bendigo Inc., which has been part of the Bendigo community for 45 years, working to support and empower women and girls. Zonta works to build a better world for women and girls by advocating for policies that promote equality, providing scholarship in many male-dominated fields, and raising awareness about issues like violence against women and climate justice, which disproportionately affect women.
Events
Resources
Tools and Resources for Advancing Gender Equity
WHLM: Gender Equity Toolkit
WHLM: Raise Them Equal
Our Watch: Workplace Equality and Respect
Rainbow Health Victoria: Rainbow Tick Standards
Multicultural Centre for Women's Health: Intersectionality Matters
Practitioner’s factsheet for evaluating projects working to prevent violence against women
Framing Gender Equality: Messaging Guide
VicHealth: (En)countering resistance
Resistance and backlash in primary prevention of violence against women
Menopause at Work
The Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s Gender Equality Diagnostic Tool
Our Watch: Men in Focus
Take Action for Gender Equality and Respect
VicHealth: Everyone Wins Toolkit
VicHealth: Take Action: Empowering bystanders to act on sexist and sexually harassing behaviours
Our Watch: Guidelines for reporting on violence against women
WESNET Technology Safety
eSafety Commissioner : Online Gender-Based Harm & Respectful Online Behaviour
Department of Education: Respectful Relationships
Zonta International – Advancing Gender Equity
Gender Equity Peak Bodies and Key Organisations
Victorian and National Gender Equity Acts, Frameworks and Plans
Victorian Government: Gender Equality Act (2020)
Victorian Government: Safe and strong: A Victorian Gender Equality Strategy
National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children
Rainbow Health: Pride in Prevention
Our Watch: Changing the Landscape
Our Watch: Changing the Picture
Our Watch: Changing the Story
Equal Opportunity Act (2010)
Fair Work Ombudsman: Gender Equality Action Plan 2024 - 27
Working for Women Strategy
Stats and Facts
Women and Girls in Greater Bendigo
Safe and Equal: Fast Facts on Family and Gender-based Violence
Australian Government: Gender Equality in Australia
Commission for Gender equality in the public sector: Gender Equality Act Obligations
WGEA: Employer Gender Pay Gaps
Equity vs Equality: Why you need to know the difference
Newsletters
Click the images to read past editions of the Gender Equity Coalition newsletter.