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VPS Women of Colour Network

The Victorian Public Sector Women of Colour Network (WoCN) is a staff-led collective run by and for self-identifying women of colour across the VPS.

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About the network

The Victorian Public Sector Women of Colour Network (WoCN) is a staff-led collective run by and for self-identifying women of colour across the Victorian public sector.

The network was established in January 2019 by a group of passionate women in Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Multicultural Affairs and Social Cohesion Division.

We strive to create a safe and inclusive space that allows us to:

Our champions

Fred Alale AM

Director, Financial Systems and Projects Branch, Financial Services Division, Department of Education

Ro Allen

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner

Tom Bell

Executive Director, First Peoples Self Determination Division, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Sharon Deano

Director, Compliance and Enforcement, Energy Essential Services Commission

Dishella Fernando

Executive Director, Transformation, Development and Capability, Department of Justice and Community Safety

Monica Kelly

Executive Director, Prevention, Policy and First Peoples Branch, Mental Health and Wellbeing Division, Department of Health

Esther Kwali

Director, Strategy and Productivity, Infrastructure Division, Department of Treasury and Finance

Vanya Kumar

Executive Director, Innovation, Commercial and Investment Attraction, Energy Group, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action

Dr Bridie O’Donnell

Executive Director, Public Health Network and Programs, Department of Health

Wei-Fong Yee

Director, System Planning, Mental Health and Wellbeing Division, Department of Health

Strategic objectives

Connect and Grow

Build our membership to become safe community within the VPS for women of colour to receive support and bring our allies and champions with us on this journey.

Amplify and Elevate

To bring awareness to issues experienced by women of colour and advocate for a more inclusive VPS for all intersectional communities. To be represented and celebrated across the VPS.

Transform and Embed

To influence systems’ change to remove barriers for women of colour. To provide expertise and advice to support VPS to become an employer of choice for women of colour in Victoria and be reflective of its community.

How can I get involved?

Membership is free and open to all Victorian Public Sector employees who identifies as a woman of colour.

Employees across the VPS, who are not a woman of colour and wish to support the objectives of the network, can join as an Ally member.

Learn about upcoming events and ways to get involved by signing up through our LinkedIn group or by joining our Innovation Network group.

Signing up through our LinkedIn group

LinkedIn

Joining our Innovation Network group

Innovation Network

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Updated 19 August 2025

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