University initiative the state鈥檚 best for gender equity

Image of members of the WPDN holding the award at the presentation.

L-R: Professor Laura Parry,听Deyu Kong,听Georgina Kate Burns,听Belinda Kon,听Carmel D鈥橝ngelo,听Ashleigh Mercury,听Professor Jessica Gallagher,听Peter Prest and听Van Tran Willams.

A University of 亚洲色吧 network which has been helping female staff to achieve their full potential for three decades has been named the state鈥檚 best for promoting gender equity.

The Women鈥檚 Professional Development Network (WPDN) was awarded The Governor鈥檚 Award for Business Achievement in Gender Equity at the 2025 South Australian Premier鈥檚 Business and Export Awards. The Award recognises organisations that are making strides in advancing gender equity, supporting professional development, and creating inclusive workplaces.

Originally set up to address the underrepresentation of professional staff women in higher level positions, the WPDN is now the largest and most enduring initiative of its kind in South Australia and has more than 2,500 members.

A unique network run by volunteers, it supports the professional and personal development of women employed at the University through activities that have been shown to promote leadership, personal job satisfaction, positive work attitude and career advancement. This includes a highly successful mentoring program, which recently experienced a record intake of participants.

The WPDN is co-sponsored by University of 亚洲色吧 Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement), Professor Jess Gallagher and University of 亚洲色吧 Chief Operating Officer, Peter Prest.

鈥淲e are thrilled that the Women鈥檚 Professional Development Network has received this top honour and are proud to support our female staff through this initiative,鈥 said Professor Gallagher.

鈥淎s a University, we strongly believe in equal opportunity for women and have a 150-year history in championing the rights of women in higher education. 听

鈥淲e were the first University in Australia to admit women to all academic courses on an equal basis to men and we continue to advocate for the advancement of women鈥檚 careers and the abolishment of barriers to women鈥檚 participation in the workplace.鈥

The Governor鈥檚 Award for Business Achievement in Gender Equity celebrates businesses demonstrating excellence in promoting gender equity within their workplace. It recognises companies that show exceptional dedication to implementing inclusive policies, advancing gender equity, supporting professional development for all staff and making tangible progress in closing gender gaps in representation and pay equity.

The awards are a partnership between the South Australian Business Chamber and the state government.

More information about the Women鈥檚 Professional Development Network is available on the University鈥檚 website.

Tagged in featured story, gender equality, women, workforce, Women's Professional Development Network, award