Most influential women in Port Phillip
From an internationally renowned author to a social justice crusader and the queen of the comedy festival, here are some of the fabulous females who call Port Phillip home.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
We all love a strong, independent woman, and Port Phillip is full of amazing females doing great things in the community.
From celebrated authors to champions for inclusion and social justice, here are some of the most inspiring women in the municipality.
SUSAN PROVAN
As the director of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Susan Provan leads a dedicated team of people striving to boost recognition and performance opportunities for comedians — and provide much-need laughs for the audience.
During her more than 20 years at the helm, the St Kilda resident and her crew have helped propel young and emerging artists into the spotlight through programs such as RAW Comedy and Class Clowns, and ushered in the reign of female performers which in 2018 saw female participation at the festival skyrocket to almost 33 per cent of the program.
In 2017, Ms Provan’s name was added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Woman in recognition of her commitment to the growth of professional opportunities for women in comedy and ensuring all comedy festival performance environments were safe and supportive of females.
And in 2018 she was appointed an Officer of the order of Australia for her distinguished service to arts administration and the promotion of Australian comedy.
Ms Provan has also been credited with building the MICF into one of the largest comedy festivals in the world and increasing the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers.
But while this year’s festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms Provan said next year’s festival would go ahead — “but not as usual”.
“Things are changing on pretty much a daily basis so it’s been difficult to plan with any certainty but we’re optimistic we’ll be able to present live shows next year,” she said.
“We’re lucky in that by the time the festival rolls around it will have been a whole year since (the global pandemic) began and there will have been some major sporting events, like the Australian Open and Boxing Day Test which we can use as a sort of guide for welcoming back audiences.
“I’m definitely way more optimistic this week than I was three or four weeks ago when I was still thinking we might be limited to an entirely digital program.”
Ms Provan said the 2021 MICF would likely have a smaller number of venues, with reduced crowd numbers that could be scaled up if government guidelines permitted.
The focus would also likely be on Australian and New Zealand acts, with uncertainty still surrounding international travel.
“Ultimately it will be a test for performers too, because most of them have been out of work and their finances have been severely impacted so I imagine many will be cautious about spending a lot of money on posters and publicity if (performances might have to be cancelled again),” she said.
“We see 2021 as the path back to a proper festival in 2022 and a way to support the industry however we can and provide opportunities for people to earn money.
“And we want to welcome audiences back so they can share a laugh — most people could probably use one right now.
“It’s been a long, hard winter in lockdown in Melbourne and many have been struggling with mental health issues and comedy is crucial to helping people feel better.”
Ms Provan said some festival performances would be staged in the suburbs to give people who still weren’t comfortable heading into the city a chance to see a show closer to home.
And a range of online events were also in the works.
“We’ve all become quite attached to our neighbourhoods as a result of this lockdown and some people aren’t necessarily ready to get on public transport and come into the city,” she said.
One thing is sure, all shows will adhere to a strict COVID-safe plan.
“I hope people do flock out and pay money to see some shows next year and support the artists,” she said.
GAIL DONOVAN
Gail Donovan has been an integral part of dining out in Melbourne for the past three decades.
In the 23 years since Gail and husband Kevin opened Donovans on St Kilda’s foreshore, more than 1.4 million people have dined there.
The team have dished up more than 64,000 T-bone steaks and 100,000 Bombe Alaskas.
The ‘home on the beach’ has been the go-to restaurant for many Melburnians with something to celebrate — from birthdays and engagements to simply making it through a Monday.
A decision several years ago to take the chicken pot pie off the menu caused a full-scale meltdown among regulars, with at least 40 emails demanding its return.
Now, no matter the season, the pie can be found among the many delicious offerings.
Gail previously told the Leader there were 10 dishes that had been on the menu for almost the entire time the restaurant had been open.
“And they still manage to outsell every other dish,” she said.
Gail said the focus was only creating a ‘one-big-happy-family’ vibe to keep people coming back for more.
“It’s not enough to have people just coming here in summer because of the view,” she said.
“The beach has to be a bonus, not the reason people come”.
JANE HARPER
Elwood author Jane Harper was working as a business journalist when she started “tapping away at night” on her first novel The Dry.
Almost five years since it was published, the book has sold more than a million copies worldwide and a movie adaptation starring Eric Bana is soon to be released.
Working from an office above her local coffee shop, Harper has gone on to pen another four novels, the latest released just two months ago. And she’s already honing the plot for her fifth.
The film was originally due to be released on August 27 but like most things in 2020, its opening was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Harper says the wait will be worth it for fans.
“It’s an excellent film and a really thoughtful adaptation of the book,” she said.
“I remember sitting at my desk at home and kind of coming up with these characters and their names and what they say to each other, and then to see that happening in front of your eyes, it’s really surreal.”
While Harper’s transition from financial reporters to internationally renowned author might make that journey look easy, she says it’s important for other struggling writers to be realistic about what it takes to become an overnight sensation.
“Writing a book is hard work,” she said.
“I say that for aspiring authors because I don’t want to give the false impression that for people who have already been published that it is just a really easy process where you just dash off 90,000 words and then go have another coffee.
“It actually takes thousands of hours.”
The Dry movie is due out in cinemas on January 1, 2021.
BERNADENE VOSS
During her eight years as a councillor in the City of Port Phillip, Bernadene Voss was a fierce advocator for her community.
Despite infighting between councillors and “increasing partisan politics”, Ms Voss said she had been proud to drive positive change in the community during her time as a councillor, including four years as Mayor.
Ms Voss’ council highlights have included being part of several major projects, including the Palais Theatre restoration, winning the bid to establish Australia’s first Pride Centre in the heart of St Kilda and the redevelopment of the Murphy Reserve and North Port Oval pavilions.
“These all take a team to deliver and it is never about a single person,” she said.
“It’s often the small things that make a huge impact on local community — such as upgrades to playgrounds, removal of graffiti, clean beaches and streets, lights at the netball courts or along the (route) 109 bike path.”
While this year threw up some unprecedented challenges in the form of a global pandemic, Ms Voss said she felt privileged to lead through that time.
“(It was) incredibly stressful and fast-moving, but making sure our community was cared for, had food, a place to sleep and had information was critical,” she said.
As a proud Port Melbourne resident, Ms Voss said she had tried to ensure the council was a”about more than just St Kilda”.
“It was important to me that our whole municipality saw themselves represented in all the materials that council produced,” she said.
“We have equally beautiful and unique places in Elwood and Ripponlea as we do in Port Melbourne and Fishermans Bend,” she said.
She hopes the new council will keeping working towards creating a community at Fishermans Bend and “ensure the Government remains focused on building and nurturing community and business growth and prosperity”.
“Station Pier still remains an area where little occurred — there is a lot happening there and significant effort is needed … to turn the area into one which is locally loved and works for businesses and the cruise industry,” she said.
She is also excited to see progress made in the waste sphere, with trials already underway into food and garden organic waste and glass recycling.
Ms Voss said she was “tapped on the shoulder” to run for council after several successful grassroots lobbying efforts, including the 2schoolsnow campaign for more primary schools to be built in the area.
“I was involved in community life with young children, kinder committees (and the) school parents and friends association,” she said.
“I found I really excelled and thrived at local initiatives … (and) was successful at advocacy and getting great outcomes for my community.”
This year Ms Voss decided to hang up her mayoral chains and councillor boots and has already snared a gig at the helm of fast-growing company Wavin, which was started this year to help keep Melburnians safe during the pandemic.
Wavin has created a contactless check-in system which lets visitors wave their phones over a sensor placed at the entry to restaurants and shops to allow for easy contact tracing.
Once you’ve entered your details the first time, the system remembers them for any future Wavins.
“I am using my leadership skills to ensure that the company can scale and deliver unique and world-first new disruptive NFC-based customer sign-in technology that is 625 per cent faster than QR codes,” she said.
“I’m overwhelmed by the reactions from businesses who can now capture customer details instantly with a new frictionless and secure system in a similar way to mobile payment solutions.”
CATHY HUMPHREY
The Sacred Heart Mission chief executive has dedicated more than 15 years to helping the area’s most vulnerable residents.
During her time at Sacred Heart, Ms Humphrey has been instrumental in pioneering the Journey to Social Inclusion program, an initiative aimed at ending long-term homelessness.
The three-year program, which connects people experiencing homelessness with housing, health and other support services, has seen more than 85 per cent of participants get off the streets and into stable accommodation — and saved the government up to $32,000 for every participant.
“Ultimately, (the program) saves lives, reduces reliance on the service system including expensive health and emergency services, and prevents people from being incarcerated,” Ms Humphrey said.
A recent study of the Journey to Social Inclusion model found participation in the work force had increased among program participants and substance abuse and mental health issues including anxiety and depression had decreased.
Passionate about ending the cycle of chronic homelessness, Ms Humphrey has dedicated the past 25 years to helping the city’s most vulnerable.
As the chief executive of Sacred Heart Mission, she managers a team of employees and volunteers, from social workers and office administrators to kitchen staff who help prepare and serve about 350 nutritious meals a day to people in need.
Ms Humphrey is also a director on the board of the Council to Homeless Persons, the peak body for non-profit organisations working with people who are experiencing homelessness in Victoria.
JUDE MUNRO
A co-founder of Melbourne’s gay liberation movement, Jude Munro has spent her life fighting the status quo.
And as the chair of Australia’s first Pride Centre, she’s come a long way from her days handing out flyers on the steps of Flinders Street Station in the 1970s calling for the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
A former chief executive of St Kilda Council before its amalgamation, Ms Munro has also held the top job at Moreland Council, as well as being the first female chief executive appointed at Adelaide and Brisbane councils.
Her commitment to the public sector has seen her hold numerous board positions, including chair of a major Australian water utility, director of an aviation business and director of one of the nation’s biggest non-profits.
Ms Munro is also the chair of the Victorian Planning Authority and in November 2019 was made Honorary Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia.
In 2010 she was awarded the Order of Australia for distinguished service to local government.
But her role as chair of the Victorian Pride Centre — a $15 million hub dedicated to the LGBTI community — is perhaps the most special as the focus shifts from tolerance to acceptance.
“Coming out is crucial to our acceptance of ourselves and our own self-confidence as lesbians, gays, bisexuals, trans and intersex people,” she said.
“Being out there, including as a Pride Centre, is the opposite of us being hidden.”
“A Pride Centre underpins society’s acceptance of its own diversity. It lies at the heart of a cohesive society.”
When she was named one of Google and Deloitte’s 50 Outstanding LGBTI Leaders of 2018, Ms Munro said her greatest role model was her mother, who “showed me the value of a life of service, the importance of hard work and that every individual matters”.
MORE:
BEACH CHAOS AS CROWDS FLOCK TO ST KILDA
Calls for electoral commission to block neo-Nazi’s election bid
The Victorian government has condemned a neo-Nazi group’s attempt to gain political legitimacy, calling on the electoral commission to reject its application.
Ex-FIFO worker busted in massive $100k identity theft ‘free for all’
A Hampton Park former FIFO worker has been slammed as “cunning and devious” after stealing more than 160 identities and more than $100,000 discovered in major police sting.