INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’SDAY SPECIAL EDITION Southern “Tellusyour story.” Gazette Seasons VICTORIA PARK Communitynews.com.au Funeral Homes TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2018 Freecall 1800 SEASONS Community News pays tribute to pioneering and inspirational women INSIDE Reach for the stars Merlene Smith “Asayoungchildgrowing “I remember asking up in Broken Hill, I would someone what I had to do to PILOT oftenhearthestoriesofthe fly a plane and they told me I Belinda Cipriano wonderfulRoyalFlyingDoc- needed plenty of money and tor Service (RFDS) and my plenty of brains, so I put it on DESPITE the obstacles in eyes would go skywards the backburner,” she said. Toast of her life, Jandakot’s Royal whenIsaw their planes fly “Then one day I received Burswood Aero Club member Merlene overhead,” she said. a knock on the door and this Smith alwaysbelieved she “I was nicknamed ‘the lady said ‘I hear you want to PAGE 3 could fly. baby who lived in the learn how to fly, so here are The 81-year-old grand- clouds’. I guess that is where the books, I want you at Tafe mother (pictured), whotook my fascination of flying on Monday night’. upflyingat42,saidshehad began. “I was in my 40s with four beenfascinatedwiththe “When I moved to Port children, lessons were $34 an world of avia- Hedland, I flew with a lady hour to fly and I couldn’t af- tionforaslong named Robin Miller on an ford it but I went and I as she could RFDS flight to Perth and re- passed all my exams, but I remember turn, and I watched her, ab- couldn’t afford to fly. but never solutely fascinated, and “So my teacher took me imagined thought if she could do it, so up one day and I sat in the she could I.” back seat and we experi- would A mother of four, Ms enced some turbulence and oneday Smith said the journey to be- when we came down, I Charity be- coming a pilot was a difficult thought I’d never be able to flight come one and while motherhood do that. a came first, her dream to fly Continued, page 20 PAGE 5 pilot. was always in her mind. More reports, pages 18-20 Real estate pioneers Picture: Andrew Ritchie www.communitypix.com.au d479945 PAGE 27 Merlene in Humpty Doo, Northern Territory, with a Jabiru plane. Getataste foryourcity this March. Go to page7tosee what’son. VIC ADVERTISEMENNT Contactus Connect with us Southern KateDoust MLC 34 Stirling Street, Perth 6000 •Phone: 9237 1000 Southern Gazette •[email protected] YOUR LOCAL LABOR MP Gazette Regional Editor: Denise Cahill Sales Manager: Alicia Nolan @commnewsgroup Classifieds: 132013 Distribution: (08) 9237 1630 NEED A TRADIE? LOOKLOCALWA.COM.AU [email protected] Communitynews.com.au Published by: Community Newspaper Group, 34 Stirling Street Perth. Printed by Colourpress 54 Hasler Road, Osborne Park (08) 9470 3511 PERTH AIRPORT BELMONT @KateDoustMLC Community AGovernment for You Helping other Authorised by Kate Doust, 399 Albany Hwy,Victoria Park forum set BELMONT and Victo- women fly ria Park will host the 15 DAYS UNLIMITED TRIAL PASS State Government’s For BollyActive Fitness &Meditation Classes first Community Cabi- Discount Code: SOUGAZ Aaron Corlett net meeting for the year on March 11 and BOLLYWOOD DANCE STUDIO AS the most senior female employee at Perth Air- 12. Unit 1/207 BankStreet, port, chief corporate services officer Debra Blas- The meetings give East Vic Park kett knows the value of inspiring other women to local residents and or- pursue their careers. She sees herself as both a ganisationsanoppor- Call 0427 052 488 role model for other women and an example of tunity to meet the Pre- 0412 439 054 to Book In the career path that others could follow. mier and Cabinet www.bollywooddancestudio.com.au Mrs Blaskett’s career at Perth Airport started Ministers to discuss just over eight years ago before being appointed local issues and open COMOBOWLING &RECREATIONAL CLUB in her current role in October 2015. She oversees community dialogue. 99 HENSMANSTREET,SOUTH PERTH teams responsible for government relations and Discussions facili- media, customer experience, risk, environment tated by Belmont MLA and occupationalsafety and health and corpo- Cassie Rowe and Victo- HootHootssJJaazzzz rate compliance. ria Park MLA Ben “As aleader it’s crucially important to be a Wyatt will focus on positive role model and Iknow that alot of local job creating in- At Como women, particularly younger women just enter- dustries, including ing the workforce, look to more senior women to tourism, racing and Jazz &Dancing understand how they can successfully navigate urban planning. their workplace, so if I’m seen as apositiverole Akey feature of the model helping other women, then I’m happy with community cabinet is that,” she said. the town hall meeting, Other high ranking female employees at the which will take place organisation include Nicola Blackborrow, who is at the Belmont Sports the airport operations manager, and Natalie Ver- and Recreation Centre bickis, who is an operations officer. on March 11. Mrs Blaskett said the organisation’s inclusive More than 200 peo- and non-discriminatory culture encouraged ple are expected to at- women to take opportunities. tend the meeting, dur- “I’ve been treated with respect,”she said. ing which they will Mrs Blaskett said it was important that the or- have an opportunity to Thursday8th March 2018 at 7pm ganisation’s chief executive Kevin Brown was Perth Airport chief corporate services of- discuss issues that Plus subsequent Thursday’s part of the group CEOs for Gender Equality. ficer Debra Blaskett. matter to them. Licensed Bar Entry$15 Enquiries:[email protected] BELMONT Autumn PriceFall Get$400* cashback on your newsolar hotwater heater. RheemhasbeenAustralia’s premierwaterheatingbrand forover75years.InstallingaRheem solarwater heater isagreatwaytoloweryourhousehold’s energyuse.And, withgovernment incentivesstillavailable, it just makes sense. 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Stadium game days, a More than 200 people new microbrewery has will attend the forum in The opened in the area. Hague, Netherlands on The Blasta Brewing March 8-9. Company opened on The WEF is aglobal con- Goodwood Parade in Bur- ference to foster empower- swood on Thursday in ing women and connections time for Ed Sheeran’s among women committed to concerts at the stadium. facilitate constructive Featuring abar, change in all walks of life. restaurant, coffee bar and Ms Hanlon said attend- alfresco area, the micro- ing the forum would brewery is settodraw coincide with International sports and music fans. Women’s Day. Venue manager An- She has been selected to drew Shugg said they had address the forum because an exceptional response of her extensive 24-year from locals. record of delivering small “There’s been nothing business development pro- like this in the area be- grams for the benefit of fore and the locals are women. very excited and we want Ms Hanlon will travel to to deliver something New York to present a great back to them,” he Sophie Johnstone is one of the wait staff at the microbrewery. Picture: Martin Kennealey d480122 forum on March 14 during said. “Game days will be the UN Commission on the large but that’s great for Mayor Trevor Vaugh- around 30 restaurants, Status of Women about eco- us because we are close to an said the council had bars and cafes with cheap nomic empowerment of the train station and been working with part- and cheerful options on rural women entrepreneurs Crown.” ners and businesses to offer to make your whole through online business The council launched consider how they could stadium experience easi- incubation. its Eat Ride ’n’ Enjoy seize the opportunity er and more enjoyable,” She was inducted in the campaign last week that when thousands of fans he said. Inaugural 2011 WA encourages stadium would be travelling to The Town is encourag- Women’s Hall of Fame for eventgoers to take advan- and from the stadium ing people to park free at her passion and commit- tage of special deals, dis-