GSA Sapphic Success Panel

When

May 8 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Where

Gryphon Gallery, 1888 Building

Price

Free
Register

Join us for a panel on the success stories of lesbian and queer identifying women!

Join GSA’s Queer Officer and lesbian & queer identifying speakers for a panel discussion on success stories.

Come along to an inspiring panel discussion that highlights lesbian representation and success. This event is designed to appeal to international and domestic graduate LGBTIQA+ members, allies, and women alike. Our panelists will share their personal journeys, offering valuable insights into what it takes to be a successful lesbian in various industries.

Sapphic Success will feature stories from folk singer & and retired judge of the Federal Circuit Court judge of Australia Judy Small, Chief Executive Officer/Artistic Director of Arts Access Victoria Caroline Bowditch, Head of Client Insights and Communications at VGSO + Melbourne Queer Film Festival Board Member Jasmine Fiegehen, and mental health expert Cathy Fangda Yang.

Date: 8 May, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Venue: Gryphon Gallery

Caroline Bowditch

Caroline Bowditch is a proud disabled queer woman and a distinguished leader in the arts and culture sector. She is known as a performer, maker, teacher and speaker in the arts industry around the world.

Caroline’s critically acclaimed contemporary dance works have won multiple awards for not only celebrating the diversity of bodies and experiences but also challenging audiences to rethink their perceptions of art and disability. Caroline is a regular consultant on access and inclusion internationally, and has led international residencies in Sweden, Italy, Switzerland and Germany. After years living and working in the UK, Caroline returned to Australia in 2018 to take up the role as CEO at Arts Access Victoria (AAV). Under Caroline’s 6 year leadership, AAV developed key partnerships with major arts and cultural organisations, and transformed into a disability-led organisation at every level of operation.

Jasmine Fiegehen

Jasmine is a strategic communications leader with experience across public and not-for-profit sectors. Currently she is the Head of Client Insights and Communications at the Victorian Government Solicitors Office. She holds a Master of Communications, which included a thesis addressing representations of diversity in Australia’s media landscape. Her experience includes heading up large communications functions to drive stakeholder engagement, influence for change and engage the community in for-purpose campaigns. Jasmine has been on the board of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival since 2019 and completed the not-for-profit foundations course through the Institute of Company Directors in 2014.

 

Judy Small

Judy Small is a former Federal Circuit Court Judge and respected family lawyer who served on the Bench from 2013 until her retirement in 2020. Before her judicial appointment, she worked at Victoria Legal Aid, advocating for vulnerable communities and contributing significantly to access to justice. Judy brings a wealth of experience in leadership, advocacy, and community engagement, alongside a distinguished earlier career as a singer-songwriter known for her feminist and political work. Since retiring from the law, she has returned to music, continuing her lifelong commitment to social justice and storytelling.

 

Cathy Fangda Yang

Cathy Fangda Yang is a leader in multicultural mental health, dedicated to empowering diverse communities through culturally sensitive psychological services and education. As the Managing partner of Mindspace Consulting, Cathy leads an award-winning private practice in Melbourne that provides mental health support tailored to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations. In 2023 Cathy received the Women in Leadership Award from the Australian Embassy in China and in 2024 Mindspace is recognised as the finalist of Melbourne Lord Mayor’s Small Business Innovation Award. Since 2009 Cathy has been actively involved in the LGBTQ+ activism in China and Australia, including co-founded an online community platform LESDO App in 2015, and produced a creative photography project and exhibition “Coming Out, Coming Home” for Australia and New Zealand Tongzhi Rainbow Alliance in 2023 as part of Sydney World Pride.

PLEASE NOTE: This is an event for all UoM graduate students.

When you register on Eventbrite, please use your UoM student email.

Orders made that do not include a UoM student email and ID may be cancelled.

If you would like further information, please email events@gsa.unimelb.edu.au