April 11th, 2025Gender equity champ making great strides
Daylesford’s Lynda Poke says that while many great strides have been made in improving gender equity there is still much ground yet to cover.
“We are still seeing women here in Australia retiring with, on average, about thirty percent less super than their male countreparts,” the founder and operator of successful local walking tour business, Alice’s Journeys, says.
“And while the full-time gender pay gap is at a record low, women are still earning an annual taxable income that is on average of 29.2 percent less than men.”
Such issues are close to Lynda’s heart and her contributions to addressing them have very recently seen her receive International Women’s Day recognition with her inclusion on the Hepburn Shire’s Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.
“I was really honoured and felt really privileged to be recognised,” says Lynda, who is also known as Daizy in her capacity as a walking tour guide leading specialised local tours in Daylesford and Hepburn.
The walking tour business, founded just before the COVID pandemic struck in early 2020, nevertheless has proven to be a survivor and it’s name, ‘Alice’s Journey’s Walking Tours, pays homage to another woman of note, Alice Hepburn.
Lynda explains that Alice was the first child of Captain John Hepburn who is well recognised as a regional pioneer.
The name of Lynda’s walking tour business – she also runs a business consultancy – is in itself an effort to redress a comparative lack of historical recognition for the nation’s female pioneers and fore-founders.
“To be in the company of the women on the Roll is a real honour,” Lynda says when asked about her recent IWD gong.
“ There are really significant women on the Roll going back over the years, and to have women’s work, both paid and voluntary, recognised is really important.
“We have achieved so much but we know there’s still so much work to be done in terms of gender equity, which benefits everyone including men.”
Lynda has dedicated her career and countless unpaid volunteer hours to gender equity and improving access to essential healthcare services, and her place among the shire’s latest IWD honours acknowledges this.
With extensive experience in financial and strategic planning, she has provided vital support to local community organisations. As a former general manager of Springs Medical Centre, she spearheaded innovative health programs, including ‘Spring in Your Step’ which won national recognition.
As a member of the Hepburn Shire Council’s Gender Equity Advisory Committee and also as a life member of YWCA, Lynda’s many years of advocacy included striving to see safe, affordable housing become a reality for all.
It’s also included addressing social challenges around preventing alcohol and drug related harm and family violence.
The busy Daylesford local’s advocacy extends to grassroots initiatives including a pivotal role in successfully challenging the Victorian Liquor Licencing Commission’s prior decision to grant a license to a proposed Dan Murphy’s outlet in Daylesford.
The Heather Mutimer Honour Roll celebrated five inductees this year: Mary-Faeth Chenery, Mary Harvey, Lynda Poke, Donna Kelly and Jessie Leggatt (posthumous).
Words: Eve Lamb
