I was just 15 at the time… 

My career began as a sewing machinist at Diamond Cup, making petticoats and lingerie. I was just 15 at the time. From there, I moved to Yarragon Textile Mills, which later became Rocklea Spinning Mills, doing shift work spinning cotton yarn. After a couple of years, I then started working for Exacto making windcheaters, jumpers and tracksuit pants, where I stayed for a few years.   

After a brief hiatus to start a family, I returned to the workforce at GHA Apparel, sewing again, and then back to Rocklea. During that time, I became actively involved in the union. Even though I was always a union member, I probably wasn’t overly active until one night there was a fire.  

In many ways, it all started with the fire at the factory… 

I was working a shift one night, and we got evacuated because of a fire. Not long later, we got told it was safe to go back inside (not by the firefighters, it should be said), but the fact is — it wasn’t. There was actually a fire in the roof, but we didn’t know. We were in there for another 40 or 50 minutes, and then the whole place went pitch black and the roof lit up from one side of the factory to the other. We all just ran for it. It was terrifying; I had young kids. Of course, the factory had to be rebuilt, and things changed a bit after that; many of us got made redundant.  

In many ways, it all started with the fire at the factory. This experience, combined with the push for a better enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA), spurred me into action. My union involvement grew from being a health and safety rep to becoming a delegate, and eventually stepping into committee, organiser and leadership roles. 

I’ve always been someone who’s happy to get involved, and to understand things at a deeper level. And I believe in giving opportunities to others and supporting them to succeed, even when they may not initially believe in themselves. 

The support from women in the union and my workplace was crucial. I’ve always been surrounded by strong, supportive women who encouraged me to step up and advocate for our rights.

Jenny speaking at the launch of Ethical Clothing Australia’s exhibition MANY HANDS.

Women don’t all have to be the same type of leaders 

I’ve been one of those incredibly lucky people, whether it’s personally or professionally, that has always managed to attract and be surrounded by women who are supportive, positive, and encouraging. Without them, I don’t think you can be successful. 

Women have always played a pivotal role in my life, both personally and professionally. From early role models to the supportive women in the union, their influence has been immense. These women taught me resilience, the importance of solidarity, and the power of collective action. They’ve helped shape my leadership style, which is inclusive, open and collaborative.  

The other thing is that women don’t all have to be the same type of leaders. I think we have to accept that people lead differently, and it’s important to remember that not all leadership should or needs to look the same.  

One thing I love is that the women I know are diverse in their thinking; they don’t all think the same or have the same experiences, and I’ve really been able to tap into that. 

As women, I think you also have to have courage, and to be brave, with a little bit of sass. Sometimes you have to be prepared to jump off the cliff so you can fly. Because if you don’t ever jump, you’re never going to know if you can fly or not. The thing I really like seeing is women, especially, stepping up into things and realising they can actually do it. 

Jenny on the panel hosted by Ethical Clothing Australia at UTS – “Is there Sustainable Fashion Without Ethics?”

Not everyone has to be your friend, but you can always learn from others

I work in a job where there are lots of negotiations, bargainings, and even disagreements and disputes. So, it’s your capacity to work your way through a disagreement and build relationships capable of withstanding conflict that I see as one of the most important skills to learn as a leader.  

Having different opinions is good; you can learn something from everybody. But you also have to have the ability to talk things through and disagree, and then still get to a good place where you can move forward. Not everyone has to be your friend, but you can always learn from others. 

Just keep going 

My days are filled with a mix of emails, phone calls, meetings, and site visits, as well as negotiating EBAs and overseeing a number of teams. No two days are the same, which I love. It’s never boring.  

Despite being in a senior role, I am able to maintain a strong connection with the membership, visiting factories and engaging directly with workers. This keeps me grounded and informed about the real issues facing our members. 

My advice to other women in busy jobs would be to just keep going! It’s about working out what’s a priority, and what definitely has to get done, and focusing your efforts there. Delegating is also really important, because we can’t do everything ourselves.  

I also think we have to learn from our mistakes. Don’t assume you know everything, and don’t be too hard on yourself. Just accept that everyone makes mistakes and try to fix them as best you can.

It’s always wonderful when these women recognise their intelligence 

Some of the big industrial disputes have definitely been significant moments in my career. You know, you really go on a journey with these disputes, and some Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBAs) can take a significant amount of time. Sometimes it’s about leading a campaign to change legislation, which can be life changing. Other times, it’s about saving a member’s job, someone who thought for sure they were going to lose their job.  

What I really enjoy is the membership aspect of the union. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people grow, especially delegates. Many delegates gain confidence through their training and then move on to new opportunities in other sectors. Although it’s sad for the union to lose them, it’s fantastic to see their personal development. 

I find it particularly inspiring to see women step up and realise their potential, especially those who haven’t had the benefit of formal education. It’s always wonderful when these women recognise their intelligence and the valuable contributions they can make. Working with Ethical Clothing Australia has also been a great opportunity for me. 

Seeing the positive impact of our work on the lives of workers, especially women, is incredibly fulfilling. We’ve managed to improve conditions, secure better wages, and provide a safer working environment. It’s a constant battle, but the victories, big and small, make it all worthwhile. 

A final word 

There’s not just one way to be successful, not one way to be a leader, and not one way to get where you want to go. That’s why it’s so important for us to share these stories, so that people know there’s not just one way to do things.  

In an industry as deeply gendered as the textile clothing and footwear industry, Ethical Clothing Australia’s Women’s Leadership Network supports and elevates emerging leaders and women at every level of accredited businesses in Victoria. Stories from leaders like Jenny are both an inspiration and galvanising force for us all.  

We want to share as many of these stories as possible! Do you want to share your career journey and lessons, or nominate a woman in your accredited business to tell her story? Email us at women@ethicalclothingaustralia.org.au