History and Philosophy
The Australian Hispanic Women's Business Network (AHWBN) or Red Australiana de Mujeres Hispanas, met for the first time, in September 2005.
Sharing past achievements and future goals, that day, this special Hispanic women realised that, based on their knowledge, experience and skills, they could inspire other women living in Australia, to overcome initial challenges and pursue their ideals.
That is how, the AHWBN started meeting bi-monthly, first at different friends’ houses on a rotative basis; and later on, at the Crows Nest Community Centre and the Spanish Club in Sydney.
Those initial meetings helped shape the unique philosophy of the group, as a non political, non religious, non for profit, cultural group of Spanish Speaking Women; with a variety of skills, focused in the promotion of their Hispanic Background, within the Australian Community, while inspiring other women and strengthening the group.
The AHWBN was incorporated as a non for profit, cultural association, in May 2009.
Aim
The AHWBN aims to inspire Hispanic women living in Australia, with their achievements, as individuals and as a group, in a non Spanish speaking environment; thus, leaving a cultural legacy to their children and their children’s families...
Objectives
- To create a unique Hispanic Women's Network in Australia, highlighting their personal, professional and educational achievements, while promoting their Hispanic Heritage for inspiration and benefit of its members.
- To inspire other women with these achievements
- To recognise amongst its members, an outstanding Hispanic Woman Achiever of the Year, within the Australian Hispanic Community
- To leave a legacy for their children and their children’s families
Services provided
The services provided by the AHWBN are mainly promotion of their Hispanic heritage, in a variety of modalities, voluntary mentorship for newly arrived Hispanic women; and personal and business networking amongst its members and friends.
YEARLY MEMBERSHIP
Full membership July 2009 – June 2010 $60.00
Students & Senior Membership (55+) $30.00
The membership fee is more a donation for the AHWBN to be able to continue with its projects rather than an imposition to be present at every meeting.
Management Committee
Isabel Leon - Treasurer
Eliana McCallum – Secretary
Flor Reyna - Public Officer
Liliana Diaz – Member
Anabel Flores – Member
Rosi Falconi - Member
Juanita Maldonado - Member
Contact details:
Phone: (61 2) 9972-9337
Mobile: 0412 769691
Email: reception@ahwbn.com
Financial Members & Sponsors 2009 – 2010
Contractors
The entities / persons who periodically supply paid services to the AHWBN are:
Vallecorp – Website and Domain maintenance
Spanish Club & Crows Nest Community Centre – Venue for meetings
Vicki Ferrucci – Catering for meetings
Kwik Copy & Finger Print – Printing services
Viking Engraving Services
Acknowledgements
Being the nature of the group, solely on a volunteer basis, we have to acknowledge and thank the committed members, who give their time, knowledge, effort and financial support, for the growth and development of this group, as well as for the success of each one of its Projects and Activities. Without this combined effort, the AHWBN wouldn’t exist.
Special thanks go to the Members of the Jury of the AHWBN Yearly Awards
2008 & 2009:
Mr Jaime Burgos, Consul General of Peru and President of the Jury
Ms Marta Aquino, CEO Residential Gardens
Ms Yvonne Bustamante, Honorary Consul of Panama
Mr Jaime Burgos, Consul General of Peru and President of the Jury
Ms Carmen Iglesias, Director, Latinoamerica Viva Digital Newspaper
Ms Dadeyva Gutierrez, Secretary Bolivia Unida
Winners for the AHWBN Yearly Award 2008 sharing both the First Prize were:
Emilia Pastore Uruguay Spanish Teacher
Isabel Leon Peru Afro Peruvian Folklorist
Winners for the AHWBN Yearly Award 2009, First & Second Prizes were:
Dr Estela Valverde Uruguay
Head of Spanish and Latin American Studies
Dept of International Studies
Macquarie University
Lilian Chavez Peru
Spanish Teacher
NSW Teachers Association
With excellent Nominees on both years. More information on website: www.ahwbn.com
President’s Report
5th Anniversary of the creation of the AHWBN
In September 2010, the Australian Hispanic Women's Business Network, will commemorate its 5th anniversary. For this special occasion and to celebrate the achievements during these 5 past years, the AHWBN is looking to celebrate it in style with a variety of special events during 2010.
One of these projects will be the production of a fully bilingual (English / Spanish ) children’s play. We are calling interested musicians and actors to present their work before April 15 to be taken into consideration.
The specific criteria will be:
1. To produce a fully bilingual English / Spanish children’s musical play specifically for children between 2 and 6 years of age.
2. Duration: One hour maximum with a 15 minute interval.
3. To be presented towards the end of the year 2010, as a main event in the celebration of the AHWBN 5th Anniversary. Details to be confirmed later in the year.
4. Interested parties should state their interest in participating, and send a DVD showing similar previous works and a 15 minutes-sample of the proposed play,
before the 15th of April 2010 to:
Public Officer
AHWBN
PO BOX 1139
DEE WHY 2099
HISPANIC MOVIE FESTIVAL @ MANLY CINEMA
This is a new project for the AHWBN, to bring a two night, Hispanic Movie Festival to Manly. Members and friends who wish to participate in this project please send an email at: reception@ahwbn.com
AHWBN YEARLY AWARD
The AHWBN, supported by the Peruvian Consulate (Sydney), has created, a Yearly Award - Premio Anual, to identify and recognise amongst its members and friends, an outstanding Hispanic Woman Achiever of the Year, promoting her Heritage within the Australian Community. The Jury is formed by 3 International Hispanic Personalities. Winners, criteria and details of the AHWBN Yearly Award 2008 & 2009 can be found in the website www.ahwbn.com
HISPANIC GOURMET - WORKSHOPS
We started these series of Hispanic Gastronomic experiences with The Peruvian Tamalitos Workshop. Theo Flores, an enthusiastic and experienced peruvian cook, shows how to prepare our own Tamalitos for a wonderful Peruvian style brunch or breakfast. The next workshop will be on Saturday 10 April 2010. For information and details, please send an email to: reception@ahwbn.com or download the registration form from the website www.ahwbn.com.
AHWBN - WRITING PROJECT
This long term project, aims to compile some stories of Hispanic women, about their experiences when first settling in Australia, and how they turned some challenges into positive experiences. It will also provide a reference list of Hispanic women, at present, making a difference in Australian Society. Interested Hispanic women are welcome to participate.
DANCE CLASSES
An ongoing project of the Australian Women's Business Network, this is a four-week term of Peruvian Dance classes throughout the year. They are held at different venues. For specific information of venue, times and dates please visit our website.
LATIN XMAS CELEBRATION
The Latin Xmas Celebration is another yearly project, at different venues, where the AHWBN collects Toys for less fortunate Australian children, and organises a Latin Xmas celebration, in an informal, positive and happy environment. Blending in this way both, the hispanic and australian communities.
MEETINGS & SPECIAL EVENTS
The AHWBN meets BIMONTHLY from February to November. Members share the organisational responsibilities on a rotational basis. The meetings encourage free discussions in a positive and relaxed environment, respecting each other's individual points of view and focusing on the AHWBN's Vision. Members and guests may promote their own businesses at the meetings.
The AHWBN encourages the development and growth of the group, by organising learning opportunities and recreational activities i.e. inviting special and inspiring Guest speakers who have had an extraordinary personal, professional or academic achievement, organising workshops, supporting and organising special fundraising events.
The AHWBN freely identifies projects, activities and events, donating time and skills to projects supporting the Australian Hispanic Community.