Hot on the heels of International Women’s Day, today marked the official opening of Dress for Success in Penrith, a vital service supporting women enter the workforce.
The western Sydney branch will provide styling services and free clothing, as well as assistance with resumes and career coaching, to maximise job search and career success.
“Dress for Success is a really important partner with the New South Wales Government in providing support for women who need that little bit of a leg up,” said Minister for Women Jodie Harrison, who had the honour of cutting the ribbon.
The Minister said this is especially important in the rapidly expanding western Sydney area.
“With the airport coming along and with all the jobs that will be creating, it’s important that women are able to participate in that,” the Minister stated.
“We know that women in western Sydney are more highly educated in comparison to men, but we also know they have lesser employment outcomes.
“Our commitment in our women’s strategy is to improve women’s participation and empowerment, and that’s why we’re funding organisations like Dress for Success.”
This all began when Dress for Success’ previous Chairperson Vicki Hartley was asked a very important question.
“I was on the board of directors for Dress for Success, and I was about to become Chair of the board, and the outgoing Chair said to me, ‘At the end of your three-year term, what do you want your legacy to be?’,” Hartley recounted.
At that stage, Hartley had been working with Western Sydney University and noticed a need for a local branch.
However, her plans to open a branch were torpedoed by COVID.
“My legacy became surviving COVID for the charity, and post-COVID, I rotated back from being Chair to being Deputy Chair, but I never forgot about it,” Hartley said.
Fast forward to March 2025 following a successful government grant application, her vision came to life.
“We soft opened last week, and we’ve already seen ten women in the first four days of being open,” Hartley remarked.
“The demand is obviously here and support from the local community is here, so I think it’s going to be really successful.”
The service is completely free and gives women the opportunity they need.
“It’s spine-tingling stuff when the clients come in and you sit them down and they feel so comfortable,” Hartley explained.
“The stuff we’ve got for them is all free, and we’ve got that opportunity to help build up their confidence and get them ready for the next step – hopefully a job or an interview.
“It’s a very practical and simple way of doing it.”
The new location is at Shop 4, 444 High Street, Penrith. Find out more or book an appointment online at https://nswact.dressforsuccess.org/.
Ally Hall
Ally Hall joined the Weekender in 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She's a graduate of the University of South Australia and has previously worked as a Video Journalist with Southern Cross Austereo and as a News Reader with Australian Radio Network.