Want a great excuse to connect to your fellow Aussies and New Zealanders in NYC?
Australian Women in New York (AWNY) is hosting its annual AGM on September 7 and we’d love to have you there.
It will be a chance to celebrate our current volunteers, for you to learn more about AWNY, join a committee, and do some speed networking at our ‘Fall Fling’.
The event is on Wednesday, September 7 from 6pm at the Australian Consulate-General. Further details and how to register are at the bottom of this article.
But why consider joining AWNY? I interviewed a few of our volunteers to share what attracted them to AWNY and why they stay.
Robyn Joined AWNY To Reconnect With the Aussie Community
Robyn Sunderland moved to New York City 23 years ago but didn’t engage with AWNY immediately.
She was busy working in politics, with the UN, and now works in the theater business.
After spending more than 15 years focusing on her career and seeing very few Australians, she spotted AWNY on social media, said “it felt like the right time” and decided to join.
“AWNY has put me in contact with so many amazing Australians who are here to build something and live their own American experience,” she said.
“The Aussies I’ve met are strong and curious, and doing such diverse and interesting stuff.”
She joined the community team because she wanted to form connections and she also joined the communications team because she saw the value in the information AWNY shares.
“The content is really important because New York is enormous and you can feel like you’re a bit out to sea on your own,” she said.
“That’s where I think AWNY plays a great role in supporting and providing a ready-made community,” she said.
Elise Joined AWNY To Create Community During the Pandemic
Elise Webb moved to New York City from Canada in the middle of the global pandemic to work for Austrade.
She says she joined AWNY to form a community during what was an isolating time.
“During Covid there was a lot less support and guidance to get settled in New York and I was really missing community, so I was really drawn to AWNY,” she said.
“I used a lot of the resources on the website, particularly the ones written about establishing yourself in the city here. So I wanted to pay it forward.”
Aimee Joined AWNY To “Give Back”
Aimee Hocking moved to New York more than seven years ago. It wasn’t until three years ago that she decided to join AWNY’s communications committee to “give back” to the Australian community.
“You learn so much in the first few months here navigating the city and getting established. I wanted to take what I have learnt and pay it forward,” she said.
“There are so many new Aussies arriving constantly and I just want to give back.”
She said the reason she keeps volunteering year after year is for the community aspect.
“I enjoy the nostalgia of hearing an Aussie accent and the community,” she said.
“The Aussie women here are so inspiring and strong and it is so interesting to hear about their backgrounds and how they are making their mark in the Big Apple.”
Thinking About Joining Our Committee: Here’s the Nomination Procedure?
We are actively recruiting for general volunteers for our committees 1) Communications, 2) Events, 3) Community, 4) Families (formerly Mums and Dads). In addition we are actively recruiting for a new secretary, and co-chair for most of our committees.
Are you interested? Show up to our AGM and submit your nomination before the AGM on September 7 here.
AGM and Fall Fling Details
When: September 7
Time: 6pm (for a 6.30pm start) at the Australian Consulate-General. 150 East 42nd Street. Level 34. New York, NY 10017.
Register: On Eventbrite. Spaces are strictly limited to the first 75 people to register.
Stay connected with AWNY
Register for our monthly newsletter and be kept in the loop for our upcoming events where you can meet like-minded Aussie women living and working in New York.
Blog – https://australianwomeninnewyork.org
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Twitter – https://twitter.com/AUWomenNYC
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Questions? Please email AWNY (awny@aaanyc.org).
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