NSILP Bursary Program 2024

The whole experience was memorable and I’ve made numerous new contacts, friendships and strengthened existing connections. The range and diversity of speakers and topics over the 3-day conference were interesting and made for a full schedule each day. Including attending the WISA AGM and helping with their workshops, getting us out of our comfort zone and building confidence. Serving Caviar at 7.30am during the Power Up WISA Breakfast with Annabelle Crabb. I would like to thank you for the bursary sponsorship and to WISA for creating this rewarding experience. The way our program was created was perfect and I feel has achieved more than I expected.

After three days of activities, presentations and discussions it was time to part ways with the other WISA bursaries and return home with increased knowledge, fresh business ideas and some new allies in the seafood industry. Being awarded a bursary through WISA afforded me the opportunity to travel to attend Seafood Directions 2022. The schedule was very full of activities, discussions and presentations and was a rare opportunity to meet so many other participants in the seafood industry.

I could write a book on the entire experience but this is just a snap shot of the week. Overall, the WISA Bursary for me exceeded my expectations and I look forward to seeing and engaging with WISA in the future and seeing more women take advantage of this wonderful program. I hope all states and territories continue to support WISA in all their great work and advocacy for women in seafood I am confident that the future looks bright and am excited to see WISA memberships grow as we continue to not only break the barriers for women in seafood but smash them!

Since joining WISA, I have had so many incredible conversations with other women in this field, felt more supported and encouraged and generally have made great connections. When I saw the bursary offered for the World Aquaculture Conference, I was really excited as the conference was something I wanted to attend. The bursary was truly all inclusive, the addition of the per diem rates meant that there was truly no stress at all about going to Darwin and attending the conference. The WISA team were so helpful and responsive to any questions I had and were very supportive! I loved the addition of the T-Shirt in the package, I felt so proud to wear it and loved that it helped unify us!

This bursary meant a lot, it meant I was able to attend the entirety of the conference, I gained more confidence in myself to know that I can put myself out there and people see me. I was put out of my comfort zone and given the support to succeed and it meant that I was able to make long lasting connections with people in not only my sector of industry but so much of the broader industry and these connections will last forever.