ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
FORMER Latrobe Valley Authority Chief Executive, Karen Cain is one of the 22 new inductees to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. Inducted as a ‘Change Agent’, Ms Cain has brought about meaningful change in her field of expertise. “Demonstrating persistence and determination, Change Agents are lifting the profile of women as innovators and subject matter experts,” a government spokesperson said. Inductees were announced and celebrated at a ceremony at the Arts Centre Melbourne on Wednesday, October 11. Ms Cain was inducted into the honour roll because of her tireless advocacy on behalf of communities in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland. Throughout her career, Ms Cain has been known for her open and transparent leadership of collaborative action and support for these communities. A Latrobe Valley resident for many years, Ms Cain has worked across government, developing and implementing policy in Gippsland. Ms Cain has worked with families and the community as a principal in government schools in the Latrobe Valley for 11 years, including Woolum Bellum Koorie School in Morwell, Traralgon College Junior Campus and Lowanna Secondary College in Newborough. In 2017, Ms Cain was appointed chief executive of the Latrobe Valley Authority, to lead the response and recovery efforts in the Latrobe Valley after the closure of the Hazelwood power station. She has been a member of the Gippsland Regional Managers Forum and has owned and operated a commercial beef farm with her husband at Boolarra South. Each year, the honour roll celebrates exceptional Victorian women who have made significant and lasting contributions to the state and country. More than 700 women from diverse backgrounds across the state have been named in the Victorian Honour Roll of Women since it began in 2001. The late Hon Joan Kirner AC, Victoria’s first women Premier, created the honour roll to formally acknowledge women for their achievements and to encourage others to follow in their footsteps. Victoria’s Minister for Women, Natalie Hutchins was proud to celebrate the achievements of the inductees at the ceremony earlier this month. “Thanks to the honour roll, hundreds of women over two decades have been celebrated for their skills, insights, actions and advocacy – and together they play a vital role in moving us towards a more gender equal society,” she said. This year, women were inducted into the honour roll under the categories of Change Agents, Emerging Leaders, Local Champions, and Trailblazers.
