The Casino Maltese
SHE Networking Event
21st November 2019, The Casino Maltese, Valletta
So there we all were, seated in an ornate ballroom with Murano chandeliers that had seen countless visitors and distinguished club members throughout the years. When our friend Pat Vella opened the event, we listened intently as she relayed some historic details about The Casino Maltese. A roaring applause followed Pat’s mention that the venue had for a long time been a “men-only” club and continued “look at us today, 250 of us in one room. Amazing…amazing…thank you!”
From here began this momentous occasion which had been building up for almost a year! SHE Co-founder Sarah Woods beamed as she welcomed our guests, participants and sponsors while behind the scenes, the team worked tirelessly to ensure things would run smoothly. We wanted the event to be extra special and so we called on a few of our friends and ladies we admire to share their stories, expertise, musical and dance talents with us!
Our guest speakers this time were hospitality professional and mindset coach Robyn Pratt, Language school founding director Rebecca Bonnici, small entrepreneur, blogger and cancer survivor Lorinda Mamo and consultant psychiatrist Dr Rachel Taylor-East. The topic for the day focused on mental health and wellbeing through the experiences relayed by our panelists who joined SHE Co-founder Julia Perry on stage.
Next we welcomed intuitive body coach Cat Moyle who opened our eyes and got us moving to the rhythm of our female cycle and later HR professional Mikela Fenech Pace delivered an outstanding talk which centered around the wellbeing of company employees.
As the drinks flowed and food prepared by our hosts Corinthia Caterers replenished, we enjoyed networking and browsing all the delightful stalls by local, women-owned brands. From the piano flowed classical notes played by music teacher Thea Saliba and back for a second time, sister song-writer duo The New Victorians transported us on an emotional journey with original tracks including a song from their recent production “Mara” performed last August at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The whole day culminated in an equally moving ensemble by the talented girls at Seed Dance Studios led by teacher extraordinaire Marisha Bonnici and once again, as if all in a daydream, we walked away feeling empowered and carrying a lovely gift box by Debenhams Beauty as a token of our time shared together.
This event was sponsored by Corinthia Caterers, Perry Estate Agents, Rebecca Kamsky Photography, Debenhams Malta, Oasis Malta, Debenhams Beauty, Studio Seven and MINT Wellness.
What We Spoke About
Robyn Pratt
“Our mind is powerful and when understood at a deeper level, we can achieve results we never thought possible” – Robyn Pratt
It was a great honour to have serial entrepreneur and hospitality professional Robyn Pratt join us as a guest panelist on Thursday 21st November! With 40 years experience spanning management, branding, leadership and mindset change Robyn is well rehearsed in training and inspiring others to achieve success both in their personal and professional lives.
The recipient of various awards including “Queensland business of the year” and “International Woman chiefs of Enterprises Achievement for Contribution to the Australian Tourism industry Robyn leads an extraordinary, multi-faceted career!
Lorinda Mamo
“When I eventually wrote about what was going on with my son as well as my cancer, writing became the best therapy.” – Lorinda Mamo
Sharing with us her joys, sadness, hopes and aspirations small business entrepreneur, graphic designer and creator of @abirdwithafrenchfry_ Lorinda Mamo sat on our guest panel on Thursday 21st November! A maker “in every sense of the word” Lorinda is always thinking of the next project to busy her mind whether Pom pom-making, sewing, sourcing fabrics, planning crafts workshops, writing, cooking or snapping photographs of her young son, all of the above a welcome distraction from a harsher reality.
Passionate about positivity and self-care, this exceptionally gifted and courageous mum continues to inspire others through telling her experiences of breast cancer and raising a child with a chronic illness. This she does while, as she puts it, “trying to be the best version of myself”.
Dr Rachel Taylor East
“I often tell myself…Stop and think then follow your heart”- Dr Rachel Taylor-East
Entering the scene consultant Psychiatrist Dr.Rachel Taylor-East affectionately known as “Sasha” will be sharing some of her experiences, knowledge and expertise with the rest of us in the audience. This devoted mother of two studied at the prestigious Kings College in London obtaining an MSc in Clinical and Public Health Aspects of Addiction and an undergraduate Medicine and Surgery degree at the University of Malta where she is currently a visiting assisting lecturer on the Psychiatry module.
Among her many qualifications and professional achievements Dr Taylor-East is on the specialist register of The Malta Medical Council and a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. She is also the General Secretary for the Maltese Association of Psychiatry and the founding president of the Malta Association of Psychiatric trainees.
Rebecca Bonnici
“As a woman who had a hysterectomy, aged 36 – I am extremely vigilant when it comes to weight gain and avoidable premature ageing.” – Rebecca Bonnici
We also welcomed business owner, Rebecca Bonnici. Credited for shaping the woman she is today are her husband and two daughters with whom she shares a colourful and beautifully contented life. At the same time, the high-spirited entrepreneur is busy running @belsmalta language school. Here, she leads a team of approximately 50 full-time employees who together, herself included, strive to deliver “a full service of excellence” to their clients.
When she’s out of the office, Becky as she is less formerly known – thoroughly enjoys exploring a wide-ranging set of interests including food, music and dance. Improved health and well-being are also high on her agenda, she tells us “Yoga helps align my thoughts and calm my racing mind, while running lifts my mood”.
