The 2009 CSIRO International Women’s Day Lunch was held in Canberra on Friday 6^th March at CSIRO Land and Water. As with previous years, the Staff Association organised and sponsored the event and more than fifty CSIRO women came to hear the Australian Government Chief Scientist, Professor Penny Sackett, speak.

We were delighted to have Penny attend as our guest speaker along with her briefing officer, Dr Mary Quilty, who is currently compiling statistics on when we lose women in the science ‘pipeline’. Our own Dr Nicky Grigg was the host for the event and did a great job of introducing our guest speaker.

Penny spoke about her life experiences that enabled her to reach her current position.  She talked about four of the many things she learnt from an early age that would help her to succeed. These 4 lessons were: to get back on the horse; to vote for yourself; that the question may have more than one answer; and that the question may not be the right one, so think before you answer and consider all your options.

Penny then took questions from the floor and was very generous with her time and stayed for quite some time talking to interested CSIRO women.

I have subsequently received many positive comments and expressions of thanks for the Staff Association holding the event. I am very much looking forward to next year’s event.

Janet Anstee

ACT Councillor