Women across Australia have always charted their own course in boating.
International Women’s Day marks a moment in the calendar where everyone can celebrate the many achievements of women and raise awareness to help drive greater gender parity.
Nautilus Marine Insurance values inclusion in all aspects of work and life. As a leading provider of insurance solutions for recreational vessels and marine business assets across Australia and New Zealand, the Nautilus Marine Insurance team is fortunate to engage with a range of talented women working within various roles across the marine industry. In the most recent issue of Nautilus Marine Magazine, the Nautilus Marine team took the opportunity to interview and profile just a few of these inspiring women.
Shirley Clark is a long-time volunteer with Marine Rescue NSW and gets immense satisfaction from the roles she has fulfilled over the years. “At 93-years old I’m proud to still be volunteering alongside my fellow ladies to help support Marine Rescue Port Stephens. I first became involved with Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol (as it was known before becoming Marine Rescue NSW) back in 1981”. Shirley is also pleased to see more women making their mark on the marine industry. “I think it’s fabulous seeing more and more women joining the marine industry, in either a volunteer or professional manner. Women are never too young or too old and there is always a place for females to contribute.”
Shirley Clark Marine Rescue NSW
The positive increase of women in the marine industry workforce was also highlighted by Suzanne Davies, CEO of the Marina Industries Association (MIA). At the same time, Suzanne did point out that women remain underrepresented in some areas, stating that from what she has seen, women are under-represented in operational roles and overrepresented in office roles.
Suzanne Davis
Commenting on the statistics Davies says that: “We are seeing more women join the marina industries. In a recent Australian survey conducted by the MIA, marina operator respondents reported that just over 30 per cent of the Australian marina industries workforce are females. Queensland employs the highest proportion at 49 per cent and is responsible for keeping the national average up.”
Moving forward as an industry Davies suggests that: “Promotion is one thing, but women also need mentoring and support. We all need to be ready to offer mentoring and support to women so they can help make our industry even better than what it is today.”
The roles within the marine industry workforce are many and varied. Josie Eastman has built her career within her family’s boat manufacturing business Edencraft, based in Victoria. Now in her role as General Manager of the Edencraft Group Josie sees firsthand the wide range of roles available for women in the marine industry. “Whether you want to be a boat builder, mechanic, engineer, designer, skipper, sales, or marketing, there is something for everyone. It’s an ever-evolving, exciting, and challenging industry and if you love being outside or by the water, then this is for you,” she says.
Josie Eastman General Manager Edencraft
The world of boating is not just about the industry side of course, with Australia regularly on the world stage in sailing. After starting sailing at six, Sydneysider Olivia Price went on to win a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Aiming to be on the podium again at this year’s Paris Olympics, Price is also busy with another challenge, Australia’s campaign for the Women’s and Youth America’s Cups later this year.
Olivia Price and Evie Haseldine – Image: Salty-Dingo
“I’m loving seeing the increase in female participation across sailing, and the community being built around women in boating. Australian Sailing has stated that female participation in the sport is currently at 30 per cent and they aim to increase that to 50 per cent by 2030. I think we all have a responsibility to help achieve that goal by continuing the conversation in each of our community spaces, which will then have a broader impact across the sport of sailing.”
The full article “Women on the Water” appears in the February-March issue of Nautilus Marine Magazine and on www.nautilusinsurance.com.au
