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WiDA-Q launches inaugural mentoring program for women in defence

WiDA-Q’s mentors and mentees (above), including Narelle Harrison (front centre), President of the WiDA-Q Advisory Board; and a young engineer at BAE Systems Australia – the company offers engineering scholarships to First Nations and, via the Williams Hicks Engineering Scholarship, regional women. Images: WiDA-Q and BAE Systems Australia.

The Brisbane-based Women in Defence Association Queensland (WiDA-Q) has launched its inaugural mentor program, creating opportunities for women in the defence sector to connect, grow, and thrive through structured mentorship.

The program pairs emerging professionals with experienced mentors who play a vital role in broadening perspectives, encouraging critical thinking, and inspiring action. It reflects WiDA-Q’s commitment to fostering leadership, confidence, and career development for women across all areas of the defence industry, says WiDA-Q.

In June, July and August WiDA’s Women in Strategic Policy program, supported by a Strategic Policy grant from Defence, will hold a series of three-day workshops to train young women to publish in and contribute towards Australia’s strategic debate. The program will support the publication of 40 opinion articles and 10 polity papers.

WiDA was formed originally in Western Australia and now has branches in WA, SA, the Northern Territory, ACT, NSW and Queensland. It hasn’t announced one as yet in Victoria and Tasmania.

Parts of the Australian defence industry have long recognised the value of gender and ethnic diversity in developing solutions to Defence’s challenges. And the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) also recognises the importance of diversity: when there are less than 100 people on a ship or submarine that’s several thousand kilometres from home diversity gives you better solutions to unusual problems, several senior Navy leaders have told EX2.

Mentorship has the power to shape careers and strengthen the defence industry sector by building connection, capability, and confidence, says WiDA-Q, emphasising that this program is about empowering women to lead, innovate and thrive.

The launch event was hosted by KPMG, underscoring the importance of industry collaboration in building a more inclusive and resilient defence workforce. WiDA-Q intends to share insights and outcomes as the program evolves over the coming months.

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