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Gender equality in the workplace is a crucial issue for creating fair, inclusive, and thriving professional environments. Empowering women through equal opportunities, recognition, and support is not only a matter of fairness but also a driver of economic growth, organisational success, and societal progress. Despite decades of progress, gender inequality continues to affect many women across different industries and cultures. It is vital to understand why gender equality is essential in empowering women and why it is beneficial for all involved. Historically, women have faced numerous barriers to accessing equal opportunities in the workplace. These barriers include lower pay, limited access to leadership positions, and cultural stereotypes that restrict women's roles to certain professions or responsibilities. In many industries, women still face discrimination in hiring, promotion, and compensation, even though equal pay and anti-discrimination laws exist in many countries. As a result, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles, particularly in male-dominated industries such as technology, engineering, and finance. This unequal treatment not only harms individual women but also restricts the potential of entire organisations and economies. When women are not empowered to perform at their highest potential, businesses miss out on the opportunity to benefit from a diverse range of ideas, perspectives, and innovations. The economic argument for gender equality is clear. Numerous studies have shown that organisations with diverse workforces—especially those with greater gender balance—perform better. Companies with women in leadership roles are more likely to experience financial success, innovation, and improved decision-making. Gender-diverse teams bring together a mix of perspectives that enhance problem-solving abilities and creativity. Diverse leadership is especially valuable in today's interconnected, globalised world, where businesses need to understand and respond to the needs of a wide range of consumers. In addition to benefiting individual companies, gender equality in the workforce contributes to overall economic growth. The World Economic Forum has estimated that closing the gender gap could significantly boost global GDP. When women have equal access to employment, education, and leadership opportunities, their full potential is realised, which drives productivity and innovation. By tapping into this underutilised resource, economies can grow faster and more sustainably. Beyond the economic benefits, gender equality in the workplace has profound social and organisational impacts. A workplace that values gender equality fosters a culture of respect, fairness, and inclusion. These values, in turn, create an environment where all employees feel valued and motivated to contribute to their best ability. Workplaces with diverse and inclusive cultures tend to have higher levels of employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention. Moreover, empowering women in the workplace sends a powerful message to future generations. It challenges outdated gender norms and encourages young girls to pursue careers in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). By fostering environments where women can succeed in all professions, we pave the way for greater gender equity in future generations. To achieve gender equality in the workplace, organisations must implement proactive strategies and policies. These may include offering mentorship programs for women, ensuring transparent pay structures, providing equal access to career advancement opportunities, and promoting work-life balance through flexible working hours and parental leave. Additionally, organisations must actively work to eliminate gender bias from recruitment, hiring, and promotion processes. This ensures that women are given equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of gender. Governments also play a crucial role in promoting gender equality. Legislation that mandates equal pay for equal work, enforces anti-discrimination laws, and supports policies that make it easier for women to balance work and family life is essential. However, the effective enforcement of these laws and policies remains a challenge in many parts of the world. In conclusion, gender equality in the workplace is essential for the empowerment of women and the success of organisations and economies. Achieving gender equality requires dismantling structural barriers, challenging societal norms, and creating inclusive workplaces where all individuals—regardless of gender—have the opportunity to thrive. By empowering women in the workforce, we not only create a more just and equitable society but also unlock the full potential of businesses and economies worldwide. Gender equality is not just a moral imperative; it is a necessary driver of innovation, economic growth, and societal advancement.

Lorelle Warren and Russ Watson. Source: Bellarine Distillery website The Australian distilling industry is mourning the loss of one of its most influential and beloved figures with the passing of Lorelle Warren, co-founder of Bellarine Distillery and The Whiskery in Victoria. The team at Bellarine Distillery shared news of Lorelle’s passing on Facebook  yesterday, expressing both their grief and gratitude for having had such an amazing woman in their lives. The post read: “It is with unbearable sadness that today we say farewell to Lorelle Joy Warren, our co-founder, our Boss Lady. “She was a force to be reckoned with, not just in our business, or the local community, but in the industry at large, with her achievements recognised last year when inducted into the Australian Distillers Hall of Fame. “Not just an incredible force of nature, she was loving, kind and caring to those around her, especially to those closest to her, as a mother, wife, sister, daughter and dear friend. She loved to have a laugh, a glass or two of bubbles with friends, she was a people person and a lover of dogs. “Our feelings of deep loss are equally charged with overwhelming gratitude for having had such an amazing woman in our lives. “Our hearts go out to those feeling the deepest loss of all, Russ, Ellie & Liam, and her many dear & close friends & family. We are here for you. “Lorelle’s vision and drive (not to mention her Teddy & The Fox recipe!) has been integral to Bellarine Distillery’s success. Our future goals and growth will be just as driven by her legacy and inspiration. “Today our hearts break with loss but we also celebrate the incredible impact Lorelle had on our lives. We raise a glass to you Lorelle. “We love you Lorelle, rest in peace.” A tireless advocate for Australian distilling Lorelle was not only a visionary in the world of spirits but also a tireless advocate for the industry. Her passion for distilling was matched only by her commitment to strengthening the Australian distilling sector. She was an instrumental figure in securing $20 million in state funding for Victorian distilleries, funding that has helped improve safety compliance, education, and infrastructure across the industry. Her efforts were recognised when she was inducted into the Australian Distillers (ADA) Hall of Fame in 2024 , an honour that highlighted her significant contributions. As Paul McLeay, Chief Executive of the ADA, noted: “Lorelle was a fierce advocate for Australian distilling who often put the needs of her industry before those of her own business.” Her selflessness was evident in every aspect of her career. Lorelle’s instrumental role in establishing the Victorian Distillery Door Program was one of her many achievements, helping to create a platform for distilleries to grow and succeed. “Lorelle will be greatly missed, but certainly not forgotten,” McLeay added. A friend and advocate for all Cam Mackenzie, a long-time friend of Lorelle’s and a fellow industry leader at Four Pillars, as well as the President of the Spirits Victoria Association (SVA), shared his heartfelt tribute. “Lorelle was a great friend to so many – both within our industry and well beyond it. “I first met Lorelle when she and Russ visited Four Pillars. A lot of people would drop in or do a masterclass with dreams of starting a distillery, but few followed through. Most wanted to talk about bloody lemon myrtle and finger limes – but Lorelle and Russ were different. You could tell they were serious, and I had no doubt they’d make it happen. “While Russ chatted about the still, Lorelle was asking the unsexy questions – about costs, energy use, and record keeping. They already had their product worked out; now they were making sure the business side would be just as strong. I remember us laughing as we quickly discovered a shared dislike of local councils and bureaucracy. Something that never faded. “Lorelle believed that a rising tide lifts all boats, and she loved accountability. Her work with the SVA and her advocacy with government were tireless.  So much so that last year she was rightly inducted into the Australian Distillers Hall of Fame. She almost single handedly secured $20 million in funding for the Victorian Spirits Industry by convincing the former treasurer that OUR INDUSTRY was worth investing in. “And through all of this, she never lost her empathy. Lorelle truly understood what small distilleries face day to day. She represented us with passion, clarity, and strength. I often thought she’d have been formidable on a sporting field – I’d want her on my team, and I’d be terrified facing off against her.   “Vale Lorelle Warren – you’ll be missed by so many.” Kathleen Davies, Founder of Women of Australian Distilling, shared her sadness at Lorelle’s passing while celebrating all that she achieved for the industry. “Lorelle’s remarkable impact on the Australian distilling industry, especially in Victoria, will be remembered by everyone. Her absence will be profoundly felt by her colleagues and the many women who looked up to her as a positive role model. “Lorelle was the driving force behind the scenes, playing a crucial role in transforming Bellarine Distillery into what it is today, alongside her beloved husband Russell and their remarkable team. We express our sincere condolences; Lorelle will be profoundly missed by the Australian distilling community,” she said. The legacy of Lorelle’s advocacy, which strengthened not just Bellarine Distillery but the entire Victorian and Australian distilling community, will continue to inspire future generations. And while we mourn the loss of such a remarkable woman, we also celebrate the extraordinary impact she had on our lives and our industry. The team at The Shout  extends our sincerest condolences to Russ, the family, and the team at Bellarine Distillery. Vale, Lorelle Warren. Rest in peace.

We put a call-out to the women in Australian distilling to give us an insight into who they are, and why they chose this industry, here’s some of their responses! OLGA ANDREEV Distiller/Gin Educator at Four Pillars, NSW HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY?   1-3 years. WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY? I've always been interested in flavour and distilling is the essence of flavour for me. Having been a cocktail bartender and managing cocktail bars for many years, I realised that I wanted to get closer to the source and became very interested in the production side of the industry, which led me reaching out to a few distilleries and no one responded better than the Four Pillars Lab in Surry Hills. YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY?   I designed a gin recipe! Starting from a proof of concept on a rotovap, then testing on a small batch still at the Lab and refining from there to production for a trade event gin that we gifted to bartenders around Sydney. WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY? I found the community and even the public interacting with us quite welcoming in general, the challenges have mostly been adapting the (master)class formats to different people and finding that particular vein that interests that specific group/person. There's always an angle, you just have to find it, whether it's relating to cooking or cocktail making or to booze history. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT AUSSIE CRAFT SPIRITS?   Our use of unique native botanicals and the dedication to the craft really shines through in so many great brands! WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF? Follow that thread of what you find interesting, ask the hard questions, delve into the deep and dense meanings, explore history of foods, spices and booze. Spend that time to learn about the ingredients that you're not sure about, it will pay off. WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL TALENT/PARTY TRICK? If I read it, it is in my memory; husband calls me a knowledge sponge. Wanna know about the battle of Borodino? No? How about the war of 1812, which happened the same year? How do I know that? I can't even tell you. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT US TO KNOW? Born in Siberia and immigrated here as a teenager, having lived in Germany and Canada, I feel I have a unique perspective on flavour, whether it is food or drinks and it shows in the cocktails I put forward, with lots of savoury and potentially wacky combos. WHAT PERSON HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR AND WHY? I do genuinely feel inspired by the people I work with (shout out Lab team <3), especially in cocktail creation - we're always talking about flavour and utilising the best gin for a singular purpose. Of course, Cam, Matt and Stu have all been massive influences in my life, especially helping with presenting, public speaking and facilitating classes for the last few years - I have learned an incredible amount from those three.