Odyssey Business Women’s Lunch 2024
Fri 10 May | ivy Ballroom, Sydney
Online ticket sales are now closed. If you wish to purchase tickets please contact:
Belinda Burton
donations@odysseyhouse.com.au
02 9030 3921
Gain valuable insights from influential leaders while making a lasting impact at the Odyssey House NSW Business Women’s Lunch 2024.
Odyssey invites you to an extraordinary event bringing together accomplished women from various fields to share their personal journey of leadership, growth and resilience.
Your participation becomes a catalyst for change, with money donated supporting Odyssey to empower parents to thrive while breaking the cycle of generational substance use.
Event Details
Date: Friday 10 May 2024
Venue: ivy Ballroom, Sydney
Time: 11.45am arrival for 12pm start
Online ticket sales are now closed.
If you wish to purchase tickets please contact:
Belinda Burton
donations@odysseyhouse.com.au
02 9030 3921
Event participant, 2023
L-R Jennifer Hewitt, Anna Bligh AO, Jane Fernandez, Michelle Simmons
Featured Speakers
Nas Campanella
Nas Campanella is the ABC's disability affairs reporter. Nas started her career at the ABC as a cadet journalist in Sydney in 2011 before working as a regional reporter in Bega on the New South Wales far south coast.
She then spent seven years working as a newsreader, reporter and senior producer for triple j and other ABC platforms.
Nas has also undertaken projects with ABC International Development, running initiatives for people living with disability across the Pacific.
Prof. Hon. Verity Firth AM.
Professor the Hon. Verity Firth AM is the inaugural Vice-President Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Prof. Firth has over twenty years’ experience at the very highest levels of government and education sectors in Australia.
Prior to her role at UNSW, Prof. Firth was the Pro Vice-Chancellor Social Justice and Inclusion at the University of Technology Sydney (2015-2022).
As NSW Minister for Women (2007-2009) Ms Firth implemented sector wide strategies to improve women’s recruitment, development and employment in the NSW public sector, and delivered the NSW Government’s first Domestic Violence Strategy.
Christine Nixon, AO.APM.
Christine, the 19th Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, oversaw 14,000 staff and managed a $1.7 billion budget.
With roots in the New South Wales Police, she led the Victorian Bushfire Recovery and Reconstruction Agency post-Black Saturday Bushfires.
Notable for her Rapid Review of Visa Fraud for the Minister for Home Affairs, Christine holds Fellowships with ANZSOG, The Australian Institute of Police Management, and The Australian Institute of Management.
She's a Vice Chancellors Professorial Fellow at Monash University and has chaired several organizations, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Good Shepherd Microfinance.
Jennifer Hewett, Panel Moderator.
Jennifer Hewett, one of Australia's leading political and business journalists, has been writing for the nation's newspapers for 40 years. She is now national affairs columnist for The Australian Financial Review, specialising in coverage of major business and political stories and where and how these different interests intersect.
Previously she was national affairs writer for The Australian, and earlier had worked for the AFR and The Sydney Morning Herald. She also regularly appears as a commentator on TV and radio and has worked in New York and Washington as a foreign correspondent. Jennifer was born in Perth.
She has a Bachelors degree from the University of WA and a Masters degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Natalie Barr, Event Host.
Natalie is an experienced Australian broadcast journalist and co-host of the breakfast TV show, Sunrise, on the Seven Network.
As a successful broadcaster and journalist, Natalie has covered significant Australian and world news events, including the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States and the election of Donald Trump for Channel Seven live from Washington.
She is an accomplished host for numerous events including the Australian of the Year nominations, Oakes Day Ladies Lunch in Melbourne and has co-hosted Carols in the Domain on many occasions.
Grand opening of Odyssey House’s Family Recovery Centre, Feb 2023
Odyssey House NSW
A leading provider of alcohol and drug recovery services in NSW, Odyssey provides treatment, support and education for people seeking to address the harms of alcohol and drug use.
For over four decades, we have been changing lives for the better delivering health and wellbeing support to individuals facing complex challenges and offering a lifeline to families impacted by the effects of alcohol and drugs.
Each year we support more than 3,800 people to reconnect their lives and build stronger futures. Our Reconnecting Families suite of services supports 200 parents with life-changing skills, making a profound impact on the lives of their children.
In Australia, over half a million children under the age of 14 live with parents who used illicit drugs. More than 60,000 children have a parent who is attending drug treatment.
As more and more families reach out for help, we need to ensure they have the opportunity to turn their lives around with the right support, at the right time, in a safe environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the event and how do I get there?
Odyssey’s Business Women’s Lunch is held at ivy Ballroom, 320 George Street, Sydney.
By Car
There are various secure parking stations close to the venue.
By Train
The closest station is Wynyard Station. Take the George Street exit, turn right and cross the street at the pedestrian lights. Palings Lane is between Bar Totti's and Will & Co coffee shop. At the end of the lane, turn to the left and then take the lift up to level one.
Light Rail
The light rail stops directly out the front of the ivy Precinct, at Wynyard station.
By Ferry
ivy ballroom is a 15 minute walk from Circular Quay wharf.
What accessibility considerations have been covered?
ivy Ballroom is located on Level 1 of the Ivy Sydney. An elevator is available to reach the room. Alternatively, there is a two flight staircase.
Should you require additional supports, please reach out to our team on donations@odysseyhouse.com.au
How can I purchase raffle tickets on the day?
Odyssey staff will make their way through the room to sell raffle tickets, each priced at $100. Payment via card or cash is accepted.
In the centre of your table is a lovely arrangement of red roses, these are the ‘raffle tickets’.
Where do the proceeds of the event go?
Money raised from this event will provide crucial funding towards our Reconnecting Families suite of services.
The program supports parents develop the skills to set up and manage a safe and healthy family home. Parents receive residential rehabilitation treatment as well as guidance from family support workers, while children receive special paediatric support to mitigate harms and break the cycle of generational drug and alcohol use.
The impacts of alcohol and other drug use are related but not limited to healthcare, pain and suffering, loss of life and reduced quality of family life to name a few. In 2022-23 we provided direct services to 198 parents through Odyssey’s Reconnecting Families programs, however there is large unmet demand for residential rehabilitation.
View all FAQs
Question:
How can I 'Pay Forward' a ticket?
Answer:
We have the the option for guests to 'Pay it Forward' and help an Odyssey House NSW client attend the lunch. If this is something you'd like to do, when purchasing your own ticket you can select to pay forward a single seat, or even a table!
Question:
What is the dress code for the event?
Answer:
Business attire
Question:
What catering is covered in my ticket price?
Answer:
Your ticket price includes a three-course meal, as well as wine, beer and soft drinks.
Question:
Are you looking for event sponsors?
Answer:
Yes, we are currently looking for event sponsors. If you'd like to learn more, please reach out to us at donations@odysseyhouse.com.au
Question:
I have a speaker suggestion for next year!
Answer:
That's great! We'd love to hear your thoughts on who you'd like to see as a speaker at the Business Women's Lunch in 2025! You can let us know your suggestion by emailing donations@odysseyhouse.com.au
Question:
Is there a cancellation policy on my ticket purchase?
Answer:
Yes. A 50% cancellation fee applies to all bookings up to 30 days prior to the event. 100% cancellation fee applies to all bookings within 30 days of the event.
Question:
Will there be photography and video footage taken at the event.
Answer:
Yes. Attendees consent to their filming and sound recording as members of the audience. By entering this event you agree to being filmed or photographed which may be used for marketing or promotional purposes. If you wish to remain anonymous in event materials, you must inform event staff or photographers/videographers of your preference.
Question:
Where can I find help with substance use?
Answer:
If you need help, contact the Odyssey House Intake Centre on 1800 397 739, email or visit odysseyhouse.com.au
Generously supported by
Partner with us
Help break the cycle of generational alcohol and drug use.
Partner with Odyssey at the Business Women’s Lunch through sponsorship and receive event tickets and many other great benefits.
Please fill out the form or contact Belinda to get started.
Belinda Burton
Business Women’s Lunch Coordinator donations@odysseyhouse.com.au
02 9030 3921
