On 29 September 2021 Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM, Australia's Chief Scientist, delivered the annual Helen Williams Oration to members and guests at a virtual event.  

For her oration Dr Foley reflected on our progress in normalising diversity in the workforce. She discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity to reframe workplace customs and culture, and question whether we, as a nation, could improve our recognition of the contribution older workers make, and better utilise their full human potential. Dr Foley also considered how the pandemic may lead to addressing systemic issues that have stymied women’s advancement. This includes putting the case for retaining and retraining older skilled workers as Australia faces the challenge of accelerating new high-tech industries, while the flow of skilled migration and international students has slowed.

Dr Foley's oration was followed by questions from members, which were facilitated by host, Professor Helen Sullivan FIPAA, Dean of the College of Asia and the Pacific at the Australian National University. The event was opened by Amanda Story, Partner at MinterEllison.

IPAA ACT established the Helen Williams Oration in 2018, in honour of Helen Williams AC, the first female to be appointed Secretary of an Australian Government department.

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