Women across Newcastle and the Hunter Valley working in wine, tourism, and hospitality are being called to apply for the newly launched EmpowHER Education Fund, a grant initiative from the Hunter EmpowHER Association.
While women make up the majority of workers in these booming sectors, contributing more than $4 billion to the local economy and creating over 40,000 jobs, they remain underrepresented in leadership roles, holding only 30% of senior positions.
The EmpowHER Education Fund aims to address this imbalance by removing financial barriers to training, education, and professional development. It’s a bold move to level the playing field and ensure that talent, not finances, determines who gets ahead.
Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded to support women at all stages of their careers, whether it’s funding a wine certification course, covering the cost of attending an industry conference or unlocking access to leadership and mentorship programs.
Hunter EmpowHER’s launch of the Education Fund marks a turning point for professional equity in the Hunter’s key industries and a rallying cry for the next generation of women leaders to step forward.
The fund is open to all women, including those assigned female at birth, non-binary individuals, and trans-women. It’s about more than financial aid – it’s about recognising and supporting the value these professionals bring to one of the region’s most vibrant industries.
Applications are now open and will close on Sunday, 20 July. Applications can be submitted online via hunterempowher.org, and successful recipients will be honoured at a presentation evening at Iron Gate Kitchen on Wednesday, 6 August.
