Fighting for a Noble cause
For seafood industry leader Leonie Noble, bringing women to the decision-making table isn't rocket science.
The well-known advocate for rural and regional women believes while women shouldn't be appointed to boards based on gender alone, they bring a different view that is essential to the industry.
"This is simply about social justice," she said,
"When considering the implications of industry decisions, the social impacts are often missed.
"This is what women bring to the decision-making table."
Ms Noble has been recognised for her passion in representing women in the seafood industry by being nomoinated as a finalist for the 2015 RIRDC Rural Women's Award.
The award will add to her impressive portfolio of titles and industry roles, which includes national president of the Seafood Women's Industry Network, vice-president of National Rural Women's Coalition and deputy chairwoman of the Mid West Gascoyne Regional Development Australia Board.
She has also been a partner in the family's rock lobster fishing business, based on the Abrolhos Islands, for 33 years. While she acknowledges she is up against some "pretty tough competition", Ms Noble believes the award would give women in the seafood industry the accolades they have deserved for some time.
"There is a lot of knowledge and passion out there and it's such a shame that this is not necessarily being heard by those making the decisions about the future of the seafood industry," she said.
"I think men and women are very different. Women tend to look at how certain decisions will impact on social issues, considering things such as children, communities, health and wellbeing.
"If, through this award, I can make women more visible and get their voices heard, then it will be a fantastic outcome for the whole industry."
The former RRR Women's Network chairwoman plans to profile 100 of Australia's top women in the seafood industry, as part of an innovative project to highlight the role of women in every seafood business.
All 100 women will then be publicised in an e-book, which, she says will go some way towards encouraging more women to be appointed to boards and committees.
"About 55 per cent of those involved in Australia's seafood industry are women, and yet most of them don't end up on boards or in decision-making positions," she said.
"If I profile these women to government and to their communities, I'll be giving decision- makers and governments another choice when they come to appoint people to boards and committees.
"If you are not visible, you aren't in the mix, but if they know who you are, you have a better chance of being appointed."
But Ms Noble stresses she isn't "anti-men".
"The work that men already do on our boards and committees is amazing," she said.
"And I don't think the issue is that seafood women aren't board- ready either - it's that boards aren't 'women-ready'.
"I don't believe we should take away a voice, but we just need to add an extra and different voice to get a diversity to the board that you wouldn't have other- wise."
