BPW Coffs Coast Stands Strong for Equal Pay Day
On Monday 19th August, BPW Coffs Coast proudly marked Equal Pay Day with an event that was not only informative but also engaging and thought-provoking. Where better to host such a significant event than at one of Coffs Harbour’s most iconic landmarks—the Big Banana, a beacon along the Pacific Highway between Sydney and Brisbane. It was a night designed to spark curiosity, provoke conversation, and raise awareness about the persistent gender pay gap in Australia.
To kick off the evening, Lindsay Russell, Marketing Manager at the Big Banana, along with Ed Martin, made sure we captured stunning photos and videos of the Banana bathed in a bold shade of red. The red lighting was chosen by the Equal Pay Day Alliance to symbolize the call for urgent action on closing the gender pay gap. It made for a powerful backdrop as attendees gathered to shine a light on this critical issue.
The evening’s agenda moved forward with a quiz led by Sofia Ellington and Deb Johnson, testing participants’ knowledge of the key facts surrounding Equal Pay Day. This interactive segment opened up lively discussions as attendees were confronted with the hard realities behind the gender pay gap. By the end of the session, everyone had learned a sobering fact: despite Australia’s laws mandating equal pay for over 50 years, women still face significant barriers to financial equality. In fact, due to the gender pay gap, women worked an additional 50 days for free by the close of the 2023-24 financial year.
But the night wasn’t just about numbers and policies. Deb Johnson guided us through a powerful exercise that brought the issue closer to home. Participants reflected on how the gender pay gap had personally impacted their lives, highlighting how factors such as child-rearing, lack of parental leave, and unpaid superannuation have created lasting financial disadvantages for women—both now and into retirement. The collective realisation was clear: the pay gap doesn’t just affect women, it impacts society as a whole.
The event also attracted the attention of professionals keen to address the issue head-on. The Human Resources Manager from the Big Banana was in attendance and was astounded by the stark pay disparities that exist in large corporations, especially within the finance sector. Meanwhile, a younger staff member from the Big Banana expressed her gratitude for the newfound awareness she gained about equal pay and how she can navigate her career with this knowledge in mind.
Prominent local executive coach Blyde Neser spoke on the importance of equipping both men and women with the skills to negotiate salaries effectively, emphasising the need to instill confidence in the process. Financial literacy advocate Nicole K. Martin also raised concerns about the widespread lack of knowledge, particularly among women, when it comes to personal finances and planning for the future.
As part of an international organization advocating for women’s rights in the workplace, BPW Coffs Coast remains resolute in its commitment to closing the gender pay gap. As founders of the Equal Pay Alliance and hosts of Equal Pay Day, BPW Australia continue to push for change through education, advocacy, and mentorship.
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