Women of the West December 2022 Newsletter
Keryn Drew • December 22, 2022
It’s a Wrap

Firstly, I would like to start by saying thank you to all that have been a part of our wonderful Women (and men) Of the West group throughout the year. Our speakers, our webinar attendees, and those that attended our networking function in Emu Plains. I am immensely proud of the little community we have created over the last 3 years, and I am looking forward to seeing what 2023 has in store for us.


As we approach the end of the year, I reflect on the year that has been. It’s been a busy year for many as we transitioned back into the office after lockdowns in 2020 & 2021 and for many of us adapted to the new normal of hybrid work. Hybrid work is here to stay and for many of us this looks different.


Earlier this year we welcomed Nikki Heald and we spoke about networking strategies, which I am certain has come in handy as the year progressed and we were able to get out to more networking events. Karen Tisdell shared ideas on building personal brands on LinkedIn, a valuable tool for both employers and employees in this market. Alison Shamir then joined us again and we spoke of Fear Hacking, where we gained tools to help redirect fear into confident action. And finally, we had Desiree Taylor join us again and we talked about building a resilient immune system. Unfortunately for me following that Webinar my immune system took a hit and we had to cancel the session with James Hare, however, I’m looking forward to circling back to him in the new year to host a webinar around Diversity.


In October we were fortunate enough to get a small group of us together for a breakfast discussion group at Emu Hall in Emu Plains. This event was an enormous success, it was wonderful to see people collaborating again in person and sharing their experiences, ideas, and stories around the hot topics of “Attraction and Attrition.” I look forward to hosting more of these discussion groups across Western Sydney in 2023


State of the Nation

The latest ABS data has confirmed what we already know, it is still an employee’s market. Unemployment rate remained at 3.5% in November for the second month in a row. The participation rate also remained steady at 66.7% but monthly hours worked across all sectors rose by 0.4% or by 8 million hours.


SEEK reported job ads fell by 4.9% in November but are 40% higher than in pre pandemic times of October 2019 (I’m not even sure if I remember what that world was like pre Covid😔)


Applications per job ad dropped slightly in November across all states and ACT however Northern Territory saw an increase of 0.5%


In terms of industries, Hospitality and Tourism experienced the biggest decline in Job ads and then only industries to increase job ads month on month were Gov & Defence and Insurance & Super. Accounting & Engineering are two of the industries that have grown in job ad volume in comparison to last year and we are certainly seeing that trend in our team – especially within Accounting.


The key message still is the same as it has been all year, finding talent is difficult and the trend seems to be continuing as we move into the new year. Without doubt a robust, creative, and targeted recruitment methodology for each vacancy is necessary as is a seamless and welcoming onboarding process.


Something to inspire

An inspiring podcast from James Clear on how to make habits stick:

 https://open.spotify.com/episode/15sp8FfdTsdXZvdGW7cnkd?si=d427b886de6c4c91&nd=1


Healthy Christmas Recipe from Amy Leahy


A recipe for eggnog rice cream with frozen bananas , almond milk , medjool dates , and cinnamon.
Member in the Spotlight


PAULENE LOW – Fujitsu General Head of Customer Experience

A woman in a suit and white shirt is sitting on a couch.

What have you enjoyed about the women of the west events?

Learning new things that I can use within my team and organisation while seeing things from different perspectives.


What has been your favourite topic to date?

Fear Hacking Presented by Alison Shamir. Discussing fears, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome


Tell me your biggest achievement either professional or personal this year

Volunteering with my daughter at Foodbank, meeting the NSW Premier and being present when they were awarded a $15,000 grant


Being Promoted to Head of Customer Experience, and part of the Collective Leadership Team, contributing to our What Matters most for our Business


What are you goals for 2023?

Continue to promote a customer focused culture within the Company and consider new ways of working to improve our customer experience. Initiate and develop partnerships with our customers, dealers, and agents. Liaise with managers on key issues and provide expert and influential advice. Work to a high standard that exceeds our SLA’s. Continuing my Volunteering journey. Aligning with the company vision, plan on a page and PRESTO Values to be the best Leader I can be.


The Spirit of Christmas

If you are looking for some ways to help others during Christmas, here are a few of our favourites that we like to support


https://parrawomensshelter.org.au/

https://www.ozharvest.org/

https://sydneydogsandcatshome.org/


And the little things also matter. Offering a simple helping hand to someone who is struggling in the shops, in the streets, in your area. A smile, a conversation, a helping hand can go a long way and change the course of the day.


I don t think christmas is necessarily about things . it 's about being good to one another . carrie fisher
Final note


Whilst Christmas can be a wonderful time of the year for many, for others Christmas can be a lonely and challenging time.


If you or anyone you know are finding the Christmas season difficult, we encourage you to navigate to the Black Dog Institute website  for some incredible resources or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, available 24/7.


On behalf of the whole Veritas Recruitment team, we sincerely thank you for your support and wish you and your family an incredibly happy healthy and safe festive season.


We very much look forward to partnering with you in 2023!


Keryn Drew

By Urszula Lusk March 27, 2025
In this reflective article, we explore the challenges of unapologetically owning your achievements, overcoming self-doubt, and silencing the inner critic. Learn how shifting focus to self-belief and meaningful impact can help you rise above negativity and keep shining—without apology.
Elements Recruitment team casually talking with each other.
By Urszula Lusk March 13, 2025
We’re excited to share with you an announcement that the Veritas NSW business has rebranded to Elements Recruitment. This change isn’t just about a new name; it’s a reflection of our evolution and commitment to staying at the forefront in a constantly shifting industry. We wanted our brand to align with who we are today while embracing the innovation that has become a core part of our journey. A Journey of Growth and Transformation When we launched Veritas Recruitment 15 years ago, our focus, approach, and identity were worlds apart from where they sit now. Over the years, we have honed our expertise, embraced technology & innovation, and actively embraced our industry’s transformation. Our new name, brand, colours and logo represents this journey and align with the values that we uphold today. A modern, strategic, and deeply connected approach to the elements of recruitment, talent management, and career development. Independence and Growth We’re excited to take full ownership of our journey as a business centered by its geography in Western Sydney. Rebranding to Elements Recruitment allows us to build an identity which is uniquely ours and reflects the strength, agility and expertise we bring to the recruitment space. Change enables us to take full control of our brand, messaging and strategic direction in a way which suits where and who we are. We have the freedom to innovate, automate and create new and bespoke solutions whilst maintaining the human eye which sets us apart. What This Means for Our Clients and Partners While our name and visual identity have changed in NSW our partnership with the Veritas Melbourne teams remains strong. Both Victorian offices will continue to operate under the Veritas Brand and our 3 offices will continue to operate with a national presence. We will continue sharing expertise and resources, learning from each other and ensuring seamless collaboration and continuity for our candidates and clients. From an operational standpoint, there will be no disruption, our ABN and ACN remain the same. Why Elements? It Reflects Our Values Recruitment is more than just filling roles—it’s about bringing together the right elements to help careers, teams and businesses thrive. Our new name represents the critical role we play in shaping long-term success through strategic recruitment and selection. Inspired by Nature and Growth Much like the natural elements work in harmony to create balance, so do the key aspects of our work. Careers flourish through a mix of progress, endurance, evolution, and sustainability and these are values we integrate into every partnership. It Represents the Stages of Careers and Recruitment Every career and recruitment process consists of distinct elements—learning, growth, challenge, and success. In recruitment, these elements manifest through strategy, search, selection, and placement. Our role is to bring them together to create meaningful connections and drive change. A Name That Evolves with You Just as businesses and careers continue to evolve, Elements Recruitment represents our commitment to adaptability, innovation, and staying ahead in the ever-changing world of work. Why a Circle? A rebrand goes beyond a name, it’s a visual identity that represents our ethos. Our new logo, an unbroken loop, symbolises wholeness, unity, and balance, reflecting the continuous flow of change in careers and business. This shape, paired with our rich green colour palette, is inspired by nature—a nod to our personal passion for the mountains, oceans and outdoors and the elements that fuel our mindset and approach to work. A circle also represents completion and harmony, much like the recruitment process, where every step - skills, culture, aspirations, and strategy needs to align seamlessly for long-term success. A circle is fluid and infinite, mirroring the ever-evolving nature of businesses, careers, and professional growth. It symbolises the connections we create and the ongoing support provided to clients, candidates and each other during our journeys. We continue to remain dedicated to creating lasting connections, delivering innovative solutions, and providing unwavering support to both clients and candidates as they navigate their careers. We’re excited for this new chapter and look forward to continuing our journey with you and being able to nurture every element of your career, team, business and growth.
A man is pressing a button on a virtual screen.
March 1, 2025
Thinking about a new career? Or simply looking to plan out your professional development and keep your skills sharp for an evolving job marketplace?