Click on a graphic to see more about each member.

• Fran Stanley, VPIP 

  • Born and raised in Perth, I never thought I would be living in the country!  However, as with many women who live here, I followed my husband Jayson to Karratha.  Luckily I quickly found a job and have been working at Conservation & Land Management (CALM) ever since.  My role involves managing over 200 islands off the Pilbara coast that are conservation reserves, liaison with the community and resource companies over a range of issues, educating people about conservation, undertaking surveys of islands to discover what animals and plants live there, and occasionally fighting a fire!

     

    I have always had an interest in the natural world, strongly encouraged by my parents from an early age and this led me to get an Honours degree in Biological Sciences from Murdoch University.  I have also recently been awarded my PhD.

     

    I have two small boys, Tim who is five and at pre-primary, and Aaron who is eight months old.  Both are a delight (most of the time) and take up a lot of my time.

     

    I joined BPW as it provided a social outlet outside of Mums’ group, and allowed me to expand my social and professional network.  I enjoy being a part of the Executive committee and being involved in the many exciting activities BPW has planned for the coming months

     

• Esther Schneider, Treasurer.

  • I have been in Karratha almost two years now and love it even more than my six months back in the eighties. There is something about the Pilbara that you either love or hate. Fortunately I love it here. I am currently employed out at the Burrup and am part of the Phase Four Expansion Project and loving it.

    I was born in Melbourne but have travelled far and wide over the years. I have lived in every capital city in Australia, and many lost little places in between.

    Leaving school at fifteen with no idea of what I wanted to do except ‘something with animals’. I began my working life on sheep stations, moved on to veterinary nursing and ultimately worked at an African Safari Park in Sydney. There we did shows with sea lions, dolphins and parrots. Training exotic animals was a great thrill and very different.

    It was my second love, that of cooking, which took me on many travels and adventures. I started out as a kitchen hand and was eventually Chef, cooking for 800 on a remote mine site. Working my up through the ranks and around Australia at the same time, one of my greatest achievements was being one of the very few female Project Managers in Australia. I was employed in this position by several different catering companies on eight remote sites. It wasn’t the money but the love of the bush that kept me out there; this now is my 22^nd site over an 18 year career.

    I had a break mid career and joined the Royal Australian air force for four years as a Financial Accountant. Unfortunately this is not recognized on the outside but it is a very good grounding for so many different jobs. (hence the Treasurer thing) 

    With all this travelling around Australia and the world, it was very hard to settle down. But I have now met someone very special and of all places in a camp. It was well worth coming to work up in Karratha after all. I have two children - albeit the fluffy kind. My cat Afina was an asthmatic all her life and now at 13, has been diagnosed with diabetes, which we hope will diminish over the next 12 months. The other one, the “Inheritance’ is from my mother and you couldn’t find a more cantankerous feline around. 

    When this job finishes in mid 2004 I do hope to be able to kick from project to project in the area as we have fallen in love with the Pilbara and would like to stay here at least for the next five years. One doesn’t have to travel as the people here are constantly changing around you, bringing variety and friendship. 

    Joining BPW gave me the opportunity to network and meet ladies from different walks of life, and the chance for more self development which is always a good thing. 

    I look forward to seeing you at the next Dinner meeting, please come over and say Hi. 

    Esther

     

• Billie McCarthy, former Treasurer

  • Children: None!!

    Qualifications:  Diploma of Teaching (ECE)., Bachelor of Education

    Work History:  I worked in the Commonwealth Bank for two years before venturing to Curtin Uni (Which was W.A.I.T. back in those days) to complete my Dip. Teach. degree.

    My first teaching post was Roebourne.  I taught there for 4 years, and loved every moment of it!!  Even though it was tough going sometimes the little kids were always great.  After Roebourne I took a years leave without pay – during this so-called holiday I taught in London.  This was an eye opener, our education system runs rings around theirs.

    My next posting was to Karratha - Pegs Creek Primary School - for two years.   Then to Perth - Gibbs Street Primary School - for 5 years.  Then I was posted to Millars Well, which is where I am now.  This is my second year here.

    Main Interests:  I have loved playing team sports over the years, but don't play so much any more, due to back problems! I love long lunches with friends.

    Like to try:  Getting married one day (Maybe!!)!!

    What I want to get out of BPW:  Friendship, Networking and interesting speakers/topics covered.

    Put into BPW: Friendship.

    Wish:  To get a life!!  Reading back over this my life is a little dull!!!

    Greatest achievement:  Bungy Jumping and white river rafting in New Zealand.  Also travelling overseas on my own!

    Editors Note – Wow, Bungy Jumping that’s hardly the content of a dull & boring life, especially when added to all your other amazing achievements!  

• Kate Bone ~ Past Newsletter Queen and VPEP:
  • Family Status - Married to husband Allan with no children. Came to Karratha 6½ years ago in 94 to commence work with GWN as their Pilbara Sales Manager. My primary role is selling Television Advertising but I am also responsible for the co-ordination of Sponsorship and News within the Pilbara Region.

    I spent the first part of my working life in a variety of Clerical Positions including Reception, Book-keeping, Secretarial and Office Management roles.

    I have worked with both State & Local Government and in the private sector in Retail, Wholesale, Hospitality and Medical areas.

    Almost 10 years ago I decided that it was time for a change – I wanted a new career with some creative challenges. So I literally jumped into media and started working in advertising. My first role was with a local Newspaper in Carnarvon, the West Australian’s Northern Guardian Newspaper as their Advertising Rep. I had no experience so it was a sink or swim affair. The West took me under their wing and gave me some initial training and from these tenuous beginnings my career in advertising took off. I absolutely love the work I find it very challenging, the constant change has satisfied my need to do something creative and innovative. One of the best things about my job is meeting new people. I have met many people in all sorts of businesses. This is a wonderful learning ground for me as one day I hope to run my own business, although I am undecided what sort of business this would be – I will know it when it comes along – I hope!

    Qualifications – Schooling to Year 12. I have also undertaken an extensive variety of job related studies. GWN provide regular training and workshops, to keep staff up-to-date with the industry requirements and trends. I believe we really have to continue to improve our skills as the workplace and its demands constantly change.

    Main Interests – Enjoy the outdoors love camping and fishing. I also enjoy reading, music and cooking. Spending time with my husband and our dog, a very pampered pooch called Missy, although she thinks she is a person.

    Like to try – having a family one-day (maybe) although I really do not know how I would manage that with a business and/or work. I admire the many women I have met that seem to manage this daunting role in their stride!

    Proudest moment – Crowned Boab Charity Queen in 1984 when I lived in Derby – sponsored by my Employer Swan Hotels. Together with a very hard working committee I helped raise over $8,000 for the RFDS for medical equipment. I was invited to Melbourne in that year to assist the RFDS (Victorian Section) with their Fundraising Efforts for their Jubilee Year. It was great to go back 10 years later and visit the RFDS Base in Derby and learn that the equipment we helped purchase has saved many lives over the years.

    Get out of BPW – learn from other women in their own businesses. 

    Put into BPW – ideas and friendship. (June 2001)

• Lisa Beaumont ~ Past Treasurer

  • The second of four children, I grew up and was educated in the North Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, completing year 12 at Swinburne College in 1978.  Weekends were always spent together on the family block in central Victoria where my dad had a few grape vines and pursued his hobby of making vino.  We kids just ran around in the paddocks, read, rode bikes, swam in the creek or picked grapes.  We were never able to play weekend sports or stay behind in the city.

  • Having only ever played team sports at school, I never knew the world of fitness combined with hard work and good pay even existed.  It was the best choice I could have made.  Pretty soon I was traveling around Australia, learning my trade, experiencing life and making new friends.  Daily routine was taken up with fitness and playing sports, working shift-work and going out “bush” at certain times during the year.  I found the military lifestyle demanding with a big emphasis on mate-ship and motivation, however I’m glad to say I did not experience the bastardisation that is mentioned today, this is probably because none was ever directed at me. I had been serving for three years when equal pay & equal rights for women in the forces came into effect.  It had a huge impact on our conditions of service not to mention the changing design of our uniforms every couple of years! 

  • I served a total of ten years in the Australian Regular Army as an information systems and cryptographic operator and then as a Field Recruiter living and working in Queensland, New South Wales, Canberra, Victoria and lastly Western Australia.

  • I met my husband Brad in the Army and we were married in 1987 with our daughter Monique being born in Perth in 1988.  I discharged myself from regular service for twelve months to become a full time mum but decided the withdrawal symptoms were too much so I re enlisted into the Army Reserve where I worked at units in whichever state Brad (& family!) were posted to. 

  • Our life was full on, no posting ever longer than two years and we ended up in Port Hedland in 1990.  Our son Alex was born there and we found that we loved the North West, (Brad grew up in Carnarvon) its lifestyle and the people.  While in Port Hedland I worked at the Hedland College in student services before we were posted back over to Queensland in 1992.  In 1994 Brad went to Rwanda and was away for a total of eight months.  I found strength in my ability to focus on the day to day issues of looking after two young children, working 4 – 5 days a week in the Reserves, playing both mum and dad plus keeping house.  The hardest part was not having family or relatives close by as they were all in Victoria and WA.  Still, I think the experience made me stronger and gave me the opportunity to be self-reliant and realise my own strength and fortitude.

  • On Brad’s return we were posted to Karratha and as soon as we arrived we knew that this time we wouldn’t leave.  I started working at the Pilbara Regiment but in September 1995 l was successful in securing an administration position at Karratha College.  I worked full time and continued with Army reserves but after 12 months I knew that I was overstretched so sadly I discharged myself in Aug 1996. I miss the military lifestyle; it moulded my work ethics and influenced my attitude to fitness and mate-ship. 

  • My achievement this year is to be awarded with a Defence Long Service Medal in recognition of my 16 years military service.  I am so proud and excited that I have a piece of history to pass down to my children. 

  • I have found myself becoming more and more involved in this community and have loved playing my favourite sports of basketball, softball, jogging and swimming.  My family love the North West lifestyle and we have bought a home here to settle.  Any spare time is spent out on our boat, gardening or having friends over for a BBQ.  We have made many special friends while managing to keep in contact with the extended network of friends and family down south and on the Eastern seaboard.  In fact more and more of them are making the pilgrimage over to us for a visit - just fantastic!   (March 2001)

• Annette Davis ~ past VP Comms:

  • I grew up in Maida Vale, in outer metro Perth, which way back then was semi-rural.  I went to UWA and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Australian history.  The Public Service seemed to me to provide the best (only?) employment opportunity and I was selected for the graduate assistant program.  I worked in policy and human resource positions for the next eight years.  For several years I studied art history part time at Uni, completing a Masters in Philosophy (Australian Studies).  This study enabled me to make the career move I'd been hoping for - to work as an art curator. I've worked with local government and university art collections, and I particularly like curating exhibitions, coming up with an idea, researching artists, tracking down artworks and bringing them together for the first time in an exhibition.  I have just started work on an exhibition of seven artists from Karratha and Dampier, which will start touring WA next August.  The exhibition will be titled "Intervention" and is about intervention and interaction with the Pilbara landscape. I really enjoy looking at art, researching, talking and writing about it.  This past year I have also been trying to do it myself, by learning oil painting, which has been very enlightening!  I have lived in Karratha for two years, moving here when my husband Brad was appointed to the Pilbara office of Department of Resources Development.  We have two children, a four year old boy and 18 month old girl.  BPW for me has really helped my sense of involvement in the local community. (Dec 2000)

• Nicole Boak ~ past Secretary and President:

  • I have been living in Karratha for just over two years. It's strange that I find myself back in the Pilbara, red dirt must have got into my blood after spending several years in Wickham as a child in the seventies, I always knew at some stage I would be back up North for a while.

    I currently work for GWN Television with the official title of Sales Assistant but unofficial title of Jill of all Trades. My latest challenge is to master the camera. Budding Jane Campion I am not, but I am working on it. 

    I graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Arts (Graphics) but knew that designing corporate logos was not where it was at for me. After several years in the workforce, firstly as PA to a Chartered Accountant/Trainer who specialised in the areas of strategic planning, people management, team building and leadership skills, I changed tack working for a family owned food distribution company responsible for the management of corporate clients. 

    I had a vision since those angst teenage years, where I was walking down Oxford Street, London (and into several high street boutiques) in which I was in a fabulous suit with a briefcase, so I thought if I don't pack and go now I never will.  I bought my airline ticket and off overseas I went.  Travelled around Europe and Egypt, returning to London and landing a contract with law firm Allen & Overy in their internal Graduate Recruitment Department. It was a fabulously social job recruiting future trainees and looking after the ones already in the firm and being the token Aussie I was always quizzed over the beaches and quality of the beer. It was on a rather ‘social’ evening in an Irish pub in South London that I met my husband to be so when my visa ran out I ended up coming back to Perth with some extra luggage.   My husband was then recruited by Pioneer Concrete and we moved to Karratha.

    My reasons for joining BPW included widening my social circle, the opportunities for self development and developing confidence and professional knowledge. (Sep 2000)

• Jenni Griffiths ~ Inaugural Newsletter Diva:

  •   "I was born in Pemberton in the South West of W.A., which in my day was famous for its karri trees and trout but today is known for tourism and winemaking. My best memories are being brought up on marron sandwiches for school and the ever staining blackberry picking for Mum to make Blackberry pies in summer. We moved to Bunbury where I completed High School and then attended Bunbury College gaining my Secretarial Diploma. I was fortunate enough to gain employment with Telecom at 16, and stayed until I was 21. The winters were very cold in Bunbury and every year I would visit my sister in the Pilbara to thaw out. Eventually the Pilbara beckoned, and I have lived and worked in Karratha for the past 16 years, loving every minute of it. I guess I can now call myself a local. My husband works for Hamersley Iron and we have a son at Karratha Primary school. I have worked for the Shire of Roebourne since I came to town in 1984, beginning as part-time receptionist, working my way around the Admin. environment to my current position as Assistant Manager, Marketing & Promotions. My reasons for joining BPW Pilbara included to boost my self confidence, to network with colleagues and to expand my views from others' opinions. I always look forward to the future and the changes that is has in store for me, as well as the odd trip overseas to help recharge me and of course dent the plastic fantastic. Life is for living and giving! (June 2000)