COURAGE is underway in Maitland!

What an incredible way to begin the journey.

Yesterday marked the official commencement of Courage in Action: Mentorship in Motion, with mentors, mentees and sponsors coming together for our first group session focused on goal setting, leadership clarity and connection. The program has been designed as a structured 12-month mentoring experience; the first of its kind for the region, that combines one-on-one mentoring, facilitated group learning and real-world leadership development opportunities.

More importantly, it was inspiring to witness a room full of women genuinely committed to creating positive change for themselves, their businesses, and our broader community. Conversations were meaningful, connections were formed, and there was a shared sense of excitement about what this program can unlock, not only on a personal level, but for the future of Maitland.

As a Chamber, we recognised a need. Through years of engagement with our business community, we saw that while our region is rich in talent, there was no formal and accessible pathway to help nurture and elevate emerging female leaders. Courage in Action was created to fill that gap and to ensure women continue to have a strong voice in shaping the future of our rapidly growing region. The program exists to empower women at every stage of their career and help develop future-ready leaders who will contribute to Maitland’s economic, social and cultural success.

We were fortunate to be joined by three of our program sponsors, Christine Armstrong from the University of Newcastle Business School and Craig McGregor from Hunter Recruitment Group, along with Jane McConville from FiveSeven Consulting, who is also generously giving her time as a mentor throughout the program. Their support, alongside additional sponsor Lake Group Strata, has been instrumental in bringing this initiative to life.

Participants will also explore the power of strengths-based leadership through specialised assessments, gaining greater insight into their natural talents, leadership styles and the unique value they bring to their mentoring partnerships. The session reinforced that leadership starts with self-awareness and understanding what makes each of us uniquely valuable.

Behind the scenes, an enormous amount of work has gone into building the framework, resources and partnerships that support this program. From participant matching and strengths assessments through to mentoring agreements, structured learning and facilitated group sessions, every element has been designed with purpose to create a meaningful and lasting impact.

A special thank you to Councillor Race Barstow, Ambassador for Courage in Action: Mentorship in Motion, who shared an inspiring address with participants. Race spoke about Maitland’s rapid growth and the importance of developing leaders today, not tomorrow. She encouraged participants to step forward, back themselves, seek opportunities, and recognise that leadership is not about waiting for permission, but about having the courage to contribute, influence and create positive change within our community. As the program ambassador, Race will continue to work alongside the Maitland Business Chamber Committee to champion female leadership and help ensure more women have a voice in shaping Maitland’s future.

This is more than a mentoring program, it is an investment in people, leadership and community. And judging by the enthusiasm, passion and commitment in the room yesterday, the future is in very capable hands.

Stay tuned as we introduce our mentees, mentors and share their journey throughout the program!

When women support, mentor and inspire one another, extraordinary things happen.