Wollondilly Women in Business Network (WWIBN) was founded upon a vision that Chairperson and Founder Michelle Legg had about eight years before it was born.

Michelle was building the functions business up in a local club from scratch and often thought how great it would be if there was a network for women in leadership positions and local business to unite, support and encourage each other. On her own time and without remuneration, she became a member of the local Chamber of Commerce and Wollondilly Tourism and attended regular monthly meetings. She represented the club to build the bridge between Picton and Bargo. Her aim was to create a great function business, as their venue had the unique selling point of a modern venue that could seat 400, where nowhere else in the Wollondilly had that capacity.

“It was then I realised just how important networking was to build trusted relationships and hoped someone would do it. Eleven years later in July 2015, WWIBN was founded and started as a Facebook page” explained Michelle.

WWIBN saw that there was a need in the area for a network such as theirs. The main word they heard was isolation. The Shire is predominantly mum and dad businesses (Micro Businesses) and lots of women work in shop fronts or home-based businesses and really don’t know where they can spend locally. Their initial committee of four local business woman was formed. WWIBN then became an incorporation so that they could meet for monthly meetings.

Since then, their Committee has changed. They have now a Committee of six local business women and a Sub Committee of four local business women and two Committee advisors:

Founder/ Chair – Michelle Legg (JJ Performance Smash Repairs – Bargo)
Membership and Communications Officer – Fern Rice (Your PA & More – Tahmoor)
Community Officer – Paula Zrilic (Community Pantry – Bargo)
Treasurer – Brooke Hilton (LJ Hooker Picton)
Secretary – Deb Murtagh (Critterbits – Bargo)
Legal Officer – PJW Lawyers – Picton

“Our group have over three networking platforms. Once a month, we have morning coffee catch-ups and move to different venues. We have evening networking events usually based in Picton at Vaby’s, training, workshops, our Annual Event and Wwow Book Club. We are pleased to say to date we have just under 190 financial local business members”.

“We have had some great guest speakers from our own members through to Tracey Spicer, Betty Klimenko, Gretel Kileen and Paula Duncan” said Michelle.

For more information, visit www.wwib.com.au or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WollondillyWomenInBusinessNetwork.