WomenCAN Australia

05/08/2026

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Marietta Asaad and Fiona Smolenaars as Directors of WomenCAN Australia.

Marietta is an experienced philanthropy and major gifts professional with expertise in donor engagement, corporate partnerships and strategic fundraising. Her career spans the not-for-profit sector in both the UK and Australia, including organisations working across education, humanitarian services and health. Since making Australia home in 2015, she has worked with philanthropists, major donors and corporate partners to secure support for programs and initiatives with meaningful community impact. Marietta is passionate about the role of philanthropy in advancing organisational missions and takes a collaborative, relationship-focused approach to building meaningful partnerships.

Fiona is a regional leader, connector and strategic planning specialist with more than 30 years’ experience in community development. She is the founder of clickWork, a careers consultancy bridging the worlds of job seekers with regional employers. More recently, Fiona was a Partnership Broker with the University of Melbourne, where she leveraged extensive networks to build projects driving social and economic outcomes for the region. She holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and Master’s degrees in Rural Development and Business & Empathy, and her leadership record includes chairing the Shepparton Festival. She is currently serving on the Museum of Vehicle Evolution and GV Health Foundation boards. Fiona brings to WomenCAN Australia a deep understanding of the barriers regional women face in accessing training and employment, and an insight and network of possibilities to alternative pathways. She is driven to create opportunities for economic participation as the foundation of independence.

Please join us in warmly welcoming Marietta and Fiona to the WomenCAN Australia Board. We look forward to the expertise, leadership and passion they will bring as we continue empowering women through skills, training and employment pathways.

31/07/2026

Looking for a career with purpose? 💜

We have 'Earn & Learn' opportunities for women in Castlemaine, Maldon, Harcourt, Chewton, Newstead, Maryborough and Carisbrook, Victoria.

✅ No experience necessary
✅ Study for free
✅ Be connected to employers
✅ Receive unique peer-led support
✅Graduate with a nationally recognised qualification

Our employment partners are looking for motivated women ready to start a new career in aged care NOW!

To apply, you must:
✔ Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
✔ Be aged 18+
✔ Reside in Mt Alexander Shire

If you've been thinking about a fresh start, NOW is the time.
Apply TODAY and begin your journey into a meaningful career in aged care. 💜

Contact Donna via: https://www.womencanaustralia.org/contact/

31/07/2026

Flashback Friday as we reflect on the graduation of Volvo Iron Women Cohort 1, we extend our thanks to Shepparton's Museum of Vehicle Evolution - MOVE for its incredible support of the program and for hosting our graduation celebration.

The graduation evening was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the achievements, growth, and determination of the women who completed the program. Hosting the event in such an iconic venue, dedicated to showcasing the history of transport in Australia while welcoming this group of women into its future provided the perfect setting to celebrate their journey!

Partners like MOVE play an important role in helping WomenCAN Australia create meaningful opportunities for women to connect with industry, build confidence, and pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated sectors. Thank you for your generosity, hospitality, and commitment to supporting women in our communities.

29/07/2026

🚛 Our second Volvo Iron Women Program cohort officially kicked off in Shepparton on 6 July, and we couldn't be prouder of the incredible women taking part. 💪👷‍♀️

Seven determined women from across Victoria and New South Wales have travelled to Shepparton, bringing with them diverse backgrounds, varying levels of transport experience, and one shared goal: to gain their Heavy Rigid Licence and launch a rewarding career in the transport industry.

This inspiring group is already demonstrating what can be achieved when women are given the support, training, and opportunity to succeed.

We wish these women every success as they begin their practical driving week and take another exciting step toward their future careers. We're cheering you on every kilometre of the way! 🚚✨

29/07/2026

Last Friday, WomenCAN Australia was proud to be welcomed as one of the inaugural participants in LikeWISE, an exciting six-year pilot initiative anchored at the Purpose Precinct at Queen Victoria Market.

Led by STREAT and supported by the Paul Ramsay Foundation, LikeWISE brings together Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) in a shared ecosystem designed to strengthen enterprise capability, increase trading opportunities, foster collaboration, and create meaningful employment pathways for people facing barriers to work.

At WomenCAN Australia, we know the power of providing opportunities, skills and support to create lasting employment outcomes. That's why we're excited to be part of a collaborative network alongside STREAT and the Killara Foundation, working together to strengthen the social enterprise sector and expand opportunities for the communities we serve.

A huge thank you to STREAT, the Paul Ramsay Foundation, and everyone who joined the launch event today. We were inspired by the insights shared by panelists on the day and to be part of this social innovation work with incredible peers alongside us.

We're looking forward to learning, collaborating and helping create more pathways to employment for women and others facing barriers to work.

Read more here: https://www.womencanaustralia.org/likewise-launches-at-the-purpose-precinct/

09/07/2026

🖤💛❤️ This NAIDOC Week, we’re proud to stand alongside Clothing The Gaps and celebrate 50 YEARS OF DEADLY.

'This year marks 50 years of NAIDOC Week... its roots reach all the way back to 1938 and beyond. Fifty years of NAIDOC Week themes that told the truth, put culture front and centre, and reminded this country of the oldest living cultures on earth. From land rights to language, from honouring Elders to lifting up the next generation, each year's theme has carried the movement forward.
NAIDOC began as a day of mourning and grew into a celebration, and it carries both at once. That is what makes it so powerful.'
https://www.clothingthegaps.com.au/pages/naidoc-2026-50-years-of-deadly

We also acknowledge the Aborigines Advancement League, the mother organisation at the heart of Aboriginal Victoria for nearly 70 years, continuing the fight for rights, opportunity and community on Wurundjeri Country.

Clothing The Gaps' NAIDOC collection brings together every theme from 1976 to 2026, a powerful tribute to this history and the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Recently during National Reconciliation Week our team created their own t-shirts with Clothing The Gaps incorporating a First Nations theme.

At WomenCAN Australia, we’re proud to support organisations creating real impact and standing strong for community.

08/07/2026

With your support, Talia received support to change careers into a more meaningful role.

With the help of donations, Emily completed a Traineeship in Aged Care, and now 2 years later, is an In-Come Care Support Coordinator 💜

Your donations support women to change careers or re-enter the workforce working towards financial independence.

Read about Talia’s journey:
https://www.womencanaustralia.org/together-we-opened-doors-for-talias-career-change/

Thank you for standing in her corner 🙏

04/07/2026

Your generous donation has supported Emily to gain her Drivers Licence and independence through our Driving to Employment program.

Your support removed barriers and opened up the opportunity to start a Business Traineeship 💜

Thanks to you, we can support more women from diverse backgrounds overcome barriers and commence their training and employment journeys.

Read Emily’s story and learn more about Driving to Employment:
https://www.womencanaustralia.org/from-stuck-to-steady-how-support-removed-barriers/

Thank you for standing in her corner 🙏

01/07/2026

Thanks to you, Simone benefitted from a traineeship in aged care and is now a qualified Personal Care Assistant.

Your support has provided valuable connections which enabled Simone to build confidence, opening a lot of doors in the industry.

Your contribution to our programs is appreciated 💜

Read Simone’s full story:
https://www.womencanaustralia.org/simones-story-finding-confidence-community-and-a-new-career/

Thank you for standing in her corner 🙏

01/07/2026

Thank you so much for your kind words and support 💜 It was a pleasure for Adi and the WomenCAN Build team to assist with your electrical test and tag requirements.

We love working alongside organisations like WAM Limited that are genuinely committed to creating opportunities, empowering women, and making a positive impact in our communities. Every collaboration like this helps strengthen the pathway for more women to build skills, gain confidence, and thrive in non-traditional industries.

Thank you for choosing to support a women-led business. We're proud to partner with you and look forward to many more opportunities to work together and create meaningful change. ✨💜

Sometimes the everyday jobs are worth celebrating too. 💜
This week we welcomed the wonderful Adi from WomenCAN Australia to the WAM office to complete our electrical test and tag.

It's always a pleasure to engage women-led businesses that not only provide excellent services, but also create meaningful employment pathways for women.

Every purchasing decision is an opportunity to support organisations whose values align with ours. Thank you, WomenCAN Australia, for helping keep our team safe and for the important work you do in creating opportunities for women.

Women supporting women - exactly how we like it. ✨
Here's to more collaborations that create impact beyond the job itself. 💜