International Women’s Day 2024
Every year on March 8 women across the globe are celebrated for their social, economic, cultural and political achievements. International Women's Day exists to highlight the everyday struggles that women face as they strive for gender equality. It exists to educate and raise awareness for women's equality and call for positive change advancing women. Today is an important date for women all across the globe as they strive for accelerated gender equality and equity.
Here at Stones of the Yarra Valley, we are proud to have a predominately female team and even prouder that our leadership team is 80% women, a number well and truly above the industry standard. We strive to eliminate the glass ceiling that so many women in the workforce face.
Every single day the women amongst us inspire and move us with all they contribute. Whilst we try to empower and acknowledge the work that women do on a daily basis, it’s important that on this day dedicated to women that we say an extra loud thank you to all of the women, past and present, that have had an impact on us on both professional and personal levels.
As we acknowledge all of the contributions that are made to our wonderful workplace by the women who work here, we talk to a small handful of women across the group who give us some insights into their experience as a woman in the workforce.
Vonnie Frazer
Creative Director and Owner
What is your proudest achievement in your role?
When my husband Steve and I first started Stones of the Yarra Valley over seventeen years ago it was almost an empty shell with nothing but the views and the relics of old buildings. I saw the property for what it could be but didn’t want to detract from what already made it so special, it’s location and it’s history, but instead accentuate it. By working with what was already there I was able to create a space that transports people. Our property is only an hour from Melbourne CBD, but when you’re here it feels as though you could be much much further, with many exclaiming that when they are here they feel as though they are in Tuscany. All this to say that my proudest achievement in my role is having created a space that gives couples such a profound sense of joy that they fall in love with the property and choose to get married here.
Who is a woman that inspires you?
For me it is not one particular woman who inspires me, but all woman. Women overcome adversity that men can’t even imagine. It’s the norm and necessary for women to enter the workforce while still bearing the brunt of the child rearing and house work. It’s inspiring to me to see the bravery and strength that women display whilst facing these everyday challenges.
This year’s theme for international Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion”. What does this mean to you?
It’s important that everyone is treated equally. Everyone should be given equal opportunity regardless of which walk of life they came from.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, woman to woman, what would it be?
Allow yourself time for you. Have time where you can reflect on what’s important to you without distraction, otherwise you might just find that you’ve lost yourself along the way.
Caity Clarkson
Head of Sales (Weddings & Events)
What is your proudest achievement in your role?
Over the last couple of years, I have elevated our level of communication with clients from the first moment they contact us and have created step by step processes along the way to ensure they feel supported and have a clear understanding of what their wedding or event journey entails.
Who is a woman that inspires you?
My mother. She is the most positive person that I know and my greatest support. Her strength and resilience in life is inspirational.
This year the theme for International Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion”, what does this mean to you?
To me, it is all from the heart. Spreading love and kindness to those who surround you. Celebrating our differences and ensuring everyone feels valued, heard, and respected.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, woman to woman, what would it be?
Do not worry about the status quo. You never know where life will lead you, so enjoy the ride! It is such an exciting adventure filled with incredible experiences, all by keeping yourself open to opportunities and fostering beautiful relationships with those around you.
Tuyen Tran
Head of Weddings
What is your proudest achievement in your role?
I don’t just have one! I’m lucky enough to have a proud moment every day after a Stones wedding. My moment of achievement comes from seeing the culmination of months of preparation leading up to the day and then to see the couples faces as they live through and experiencing their hard work come to life brings a sense of fulfilment that I cherish daily. I’m also incredibly proud of how I landed in my current role, by transitioning through various roles within the wedding team. It’s wonderful to be to be able to actively contribute to multiple teams within the department, providing direct assistance to support each team member to be in an environment that helps them perform at their best, through lived through experiences in these said positions.
Who is a woman that inspires you?
Literally all the women that I have in my life currently. I don’t gravitate to people that I see on a screen or just heard about indirectly. I believe there is so much more to a woman strength through the experiences they’ve been through and the ones I’m inspired by are the ones I can reach out to and have a real-life conversation with. I am inspired by the feminine strength, and compassion that women portray through emotion.
This year the theme for International Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion”, what does this mean to you?
To me "Inspire Inclusion" for women means breaking barriers, encouraging diversity in leadership, and challenging stereotypes NOW. To inspire more women, to use their unique experiences to then create a norm where women from various backgrounds feel empowered to excel, fostering a safe environment that promotes their success without pre-determined gender-based limitations in life, workplaces, and relationships.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, woman to woman, what would it be?
Know your worth; don’t make yourself small to conform to an imagined mold. Success holds unique definitions for everyone and it’s important to keep this in mind and maintain a compassionate perspective.
Eunice Carswell
Head of Housekeeping
What is your proudest achievement in your role?
Throughout my role I have had faith in myself that I could grow with the business expanding over the past 10 years, and learn the value of integrity and loyalty.
Who is a woman that inspires you?
My beloved grandmother Ethel May. Mother of nine. Elegant. Capable. Kind. A great listener. A clever cook. She always had time to put the kettle on and welcome you with a cuppa and scones.
This year the theme for International Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion”, what does this mean to you?
To create and nourish a workplace culture that brings people together where they feel they belong, valued, and feel safe to contribute to the collective.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, woman to woman, what would it be?
Love yourself first.
Britta Thompson
Spa Manager
What is your proudest achievement in your role?
I’m so incredibly proud of our team.
Who is a woman that inspires you?
My sister.
This year the theme for International Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion”, what does this mean to you?
Elevate all women’s voices.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, woman to woman, what would it be?
You don’t have to fit the mold. Your difference is your power.
Carly Millar
Finance Manager
What is your proudest achievement in your role?
I’m incredibly proud of how I’ve progressed in my role throughout my 9 years at Stones. I started working casually in Meletos and as a single mum i was able to work my way through several roles before landing where I am now.
Who is a woman that inspires you?
My mum! She’s 65 years old and works harder than anyone I know. She’s currently working harvesting grapes for wine vintage, which is intense manual labour, just to go home and tend to her own farm. She’s a machine.
This year the theme for International Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion”, what does this mean to you?
The fact that we’re still discussing it and this is the theme for this year only highlights how much work we still have to do!
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, woman to woman, what would it be?
Speak up more often, it will get you much further.
Aimee Pratesi
Head Chef
What is your proudest achievement in your role?
I’d have to say that actually achieving my role is my proudest moment. I started at the bottom and worked my way through the ranks slowly, to now being the one that makes the kitchen operate. That’s pretty cool! I’m proud to be the one who trains other kitchen staff just like how I was trained by past head chefs.
Who is a woman that inspires you?
My Nanna. She’s a fantastic woman who does lots of work with under privileged children. She was the inspiration for me to start my cooking career. I have fond memories from when I was young of making sausage rolls with her and of her making all my birthday cakes.
This year the theme for International Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion”, what does this mean to you?
Giving all cultures and people of all descriptions the same privileges that those not from marginalised communities can often take for granted. It’s important that we, in our workplace and further, remind everyone that this is something we’re striving for.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, woman to woman, what would it be?
Believe in yourself a bit more. Sometimes it’s good to be proud of yourself and your achievements. Don’t take things so hard and remember to be kind, everyone is going through battles.
Caity Reynolds
Marketing Officer
What is your proudest achievement in your role?
I’m proud everyday I come to work, it’s extremely gratifying being able to work closely with so many amazing people, the majority of those people being women.
Who is a woman that inspires you?
It’s hard to name just one woman who inspires me. I am incredibly grateful to have so many strong female influences in my life. A name that comes to mind is Dr. Rhiannon Neilsen, an academic whose research on genocide prevention has taken her all over the world. She is such a trail blazer and I am completely in awe of her. Of course, I could hardly mention women that inspire me and fail to mention my Mother and my Oma, two incredibly strong women that have both had huge influences in my life.
This year the theme for International Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion”, what does this mean to you?
To me it means undoing systematic biases that prevent the same opportunities being offered to those from marginalised communities that are constantly offered to those outside of those groups. It’s important that we recognise the imbalance in the way that those from marginalised groups are treated and that as a society take steps to rectify them. We still have a long way to go.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, woman to woman, what would it be?
Trust yourself and don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and others.
