On Friday last week, Bond University’s Women’s Network (BUWN) committee held its inaugural Speak up Forum, an event focussed on achieving security for women.

Attended by the great and good of women in the Gold Coast, including alumni, as well as up and coming and existing business leaders in the community, the event promised lively presentation and discussion.

Bond University’s Solomon Islands outreach program ‘Iumi Tugeda’ helped set the scene, highlighting the need for assistance in third world countries and the impact donations and volunteering can have on the lives of those in need. The forum was opened by Sophie West, a final year medical student at Bond, who had just returned from Kirakira Hospital in Makira Island as part of the Iumi Tugeda Project. Sophie told tales of the strength that women in this community have and the difficulties faced around the world.

Special guest keynote speaker Acting Sergeant Kathryn Collins was first to take the stage. Kathryn’s Queensland Police Service experience totals 17 years and she currently works with the Fraud Prevention Unit. She specialises in the areas of identity crime, scams and online security. With the number of scams increasing and identity theft a common occurrence, now it is more important than ever to protect your identity and safeguard your finances. Acting Sergeant Collins presented some handy tips that we should all adhere to:

  • Check your bank accounts regularly
  • Secure your personal information in a locked box or similar
  • Don’t carry personal information e.g. passport, unless you have to
  • Shred paperwork before disposal
  • Never give out personal information especially over the phone/internet
  • Limit the amount you have in each bank account
  • Beware of helpful strangers and shoulder surfers
  • Change passwords regularly

By following these handy and helpful tips, chances of falling victim to identity theft are significantly reduced.

Acting Sergeant Collins followed with the top tip of the day – did you know that we are all entitled to a free basic credit check every 12 months? Help minimise the chance of your identity being stolen and used to purchase goods and obtain credit cards by taking advantage of this free service – visit www.veda.com.au to get started.

The second keynote speaker was Dr Deborah Wilmoth, a clinical and forensic psychologist. Deborah understands firsthand the impact that stress can have on our emotional and physical wellbeing, in particular, for working mothers, this can often be compounded by inherit feelings of guilt. Deborah broke down the effects of stress into three key areas, and encouraged women to try to minimise the effect of stress on these areas by being mindful of the following:

Physical                                                    Psychological                                         Emotional

·       Restorative sleep                             Social support                                         Managing your emotions

·       Physical exercise                             Values                                                     Handling challenges

·       Healthy diet                                      Frustration tolerance                               Problem solving

·       Regular check-ups                           Positive thinking                                      Realistic goals

The final speaker, Dr Lynne Armitage, addressed the importance of protecting our built heritage and has explored the indigenous cultures of Australia and Tanzania. In this fast paced world, we need to ensure that we are protecting our culture and preserving our past for future generations.

Following an informative and lively forum of discussion, with guests gaining insight into the theme ‘women securing our future’ and considering how to inspire future generations, a cocktail reception and networking function concluded the successful Robina event.