Women of the West Newsletter - December 2024
December 1, 2024

AND THAT’S A WRAP: 

Our final newsletter for 2024! Every year seems to go by faster, doesn’t it? It feels like just last week I was writing our Christmas newsletter for 2023, yet here we are again!

Firstly, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been part of the wonderful Women of the West community this year. Whether you were a speaker, a charity partner, an attendee at our networking events, or a contributor to these newsletters - your involvement has made this group the vibrant, supportive community it is.

As the year winds down, it’s natural to reflect on the challenges and triumphs we’ve faced. For many, 2024 has been a tough year. Whether personally or professionally, there’s been a general heaviness in the world that’s hard to ignore. While it’s important to acknowledge those challenges, I encourage you to take a moment to celebrate the wins along the way—no matter how big or small.

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received from my coach is to regularly pause and recognise achievements. High achievers are often quick to notice setbacks but can overlook the wins. I’ve made it a habit to schedule 10 minutes every Friday to reflect on my weekly wins. It might sound a bit much, but it helps maintain momentum and keeps me on track.

As we approach the end of the year, I encourage you to reflect on your wins from 2024. What moments made you proud? What achievements, big or small, are worth celebrating? I’d love to hear about them—reach out and let me know!


State of the Nation

I recently attended an insightful webinar by Indeed.com, where Senior Economist Callam Pickering shared key hiring trends for 2024 and predictions for 2025. Here are some highlights:

Low unemployment rates:
 Unemployment remains low and is expected to stay steady, with a slight increase predicted in 2025.

Job security is high:
 Only 1.4% of the workforce lost jobs as of August 2024, compared to an average of 2% between 2010–2019.

Slow economic growth:
 Australia’s economic growth is at 0.8%—the lowest since the early 1990s (excluding the pandemic). Government spending has been a key driver of growth.

Strong job postings:
 On Indeed, 94% of sectors have job posting volumes above pre-pandemic levels, with 18% more than doubling pre-pandemic levels.

Wages vs. inflation:
 Wage growth at 3.5% hasn’t kept pace with inflation (which peaked at 7.8%), creating a gap likely to persist for five years.

Labour Market Insights:

Labour supply vs. demand: Vacancies are decreasing, but immigration has boosted labour supply slightly. Recruitment remains challenging across most sectors.

Trends to attract talent:

  • Emphasise pay transparency.
  • Highlight perks like parental leave, flexibility, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
  • Build a strong Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and maintain active company pages.

Looking Ahead to 2025. Here’s what to watch for in the year ahead:

  • AI continues to grow: Generative AI job postings increased by 4.8% in 2024 and will likely continue to rapidly grow further.
  • Remote/hybrid work persists: Despite some pushback from employers, 13.7% of job postings mention flexibility, which remains a key driver for job seekers.
  • Parental leave as a perk: Companies are refining and promoting parental leave policies to attract talent.
  • Cost of living pressures: Dual jobs are rising, with 6.5% of workers now holding two or more jobs (up from 5% pre-pandemic).
  • Youth employment challenges: Declines in graduate and apprentice roles could limit opportunities for younger talent.
  • Diversity matters: 8 out of 10 job seekers prioritise diversity and inclusion, yet only 33% of job ads highlight these values.
  • Rate cuts predicted: Callam Pickering forecasts rate cuts—but not before May 2025.


Something to inspire

One of our inspiring past guest speakers Dr Marny Lishman has a book coming out on December 31st. Crisis to contentment is a practical and accessible guide to navigating the trials and tribulations of adulthood, reflecting on the race of “crises” that adults might experience and why it's crucial to listen to the wisdom bought forth from your emotional angst for a more contented future.


Pre-order here: Crisis to Contentment.

A yellow book titled crisis to contentment

Member in the Spotlight 

Fiona O'Dea

HR Business Partner  
VENTORA Group  

A woman in a white shirt is smiling and leaning against a wall.

What have you enjoyed about the Women of the West events?
The Women of the West Events are a great opportunity to connect and learn from the experiences and insight of others. I love the initiative to use these events to fundraise, sponsor and support local community groups and charities, as it really fosters a sense of community, and is something Keryn, Nat and the wider Veritas Group should be congratulated for. The format of the events is the perfect balance of insight and learning, but with ample opportunity to have a chat and some laughter all whilst building networks within the local area.


What has been your favourite topic to date?
My favourite topic has been "10 Seconds of Courage" with Nadine Champion. It really resonated with me, highlighting how the decisions we make in pivotal moments can lead to and have lasting, life-changing impacts.


Share your biggest achievement either professional or personal in the last 12 months.
In the past year, I made a significant career shift after 18 years with the same company. I initially said I wouldn’t return to manufacturing, yet here I am, embracing it once again—I guess manufacturing is truly in my DNA.


What are your goals for the year ahead?
As I approach 2025, and my 50th year, my goal is to not let my overly cautious nature stand in the way of opportunity. Both professionally and personally I want to be brave enough to push myself out of my comfort zone and say yes to new opportunities that come my way.


What is one topic/theme you would like to see covered in upcoming events?
I would love to see a discussion on resilience and adaptability in career transitions. It would be inspiring to hear stories of how others have navigated significant changes in their professional lives.


Final note 

While Christmas can be a joyful time, it can also be a difficult and lonely season for some. If you or someone you know is struggling, I encourage you to visit the Black Dog Institute for valuable resources or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, available 24/7.

On behalf of the entire Veritas Recruitment team, thank you for your support in 2024. We wish you and your family a safe, happy, and healthy festive season. We can’t wait to continue this journey with you in 2025!


Warm regards,



Keryn Drew
Associate Director

A group of women are sitting at a table in a restaurant.

Tune into our socials and join our Women of the West LinkedIn group to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements!

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?