Free Event for $1M+ Revenue Entrepreneurs

Join EO Melbourne for an exclusive free event designed for ambitious entrepreneurs. This is your opportunity to gain valuable business insights, connect with like-minded founders, and explore what it means to be part of EO Melbourne.

The event kicks off with a Fireside Chat with The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, which will take centre stage. Moderated by Tracy Angwin, EO Sydney President, Julia Gillard will reveal untold insights on leadership, power, and trust—drawing from her 15 years in Parliament and time as Prime Minister.

Then, the Membership Information Session follows, where you'll discover how EO Melbourne supports high-growth business owners through a global network of 19,000+ entrepreneurs. We’re putting the spotlight on five inspiring women in EO from chapters across Australia in a powerful panel session.

Step into an unmissable opportunity for entrepreneurs—especially female entrepreneurs and business owners—to dive into one of EO Melbourne’s biggest events and discover what the chapter is all about.

With only 40 spots available for qualifying founders and entrepreneurs, this is a rare chance to learn from the best, build meaningful connections, and explore how EO can help you take your business to the next level.

PLEASE NOTE:

Your Expression of Interest will be reviewed before we can confirm your place as it does not automatically guarantee a spot to the event. If you meet the criteria and spots are available, we’ll be in touch within 48 hours with a confirmation and next steps.

What to expect

📍  Park Hyatt Melbourne, 1 Parliament Square, off Parliament Place, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3002 

📅  Wednesday, 23 July 2025
⏰  11:45 AM – 5:00 PM

Part I - Ballroom

  • 11:45 am - 12:15 pm           Pre Lunch drinks/registration (lobby outside Ballroom)

  • 12:20 pm - 1:20 pm             Entrées and mains served

  • 1:25 pm - 2:25 pm               Fireside Chat with Ms Gillard

  • 2:30 pm                                 Dessert served followed by tea and coffee

  • 3:00 pm                                Talk ends

    Part II - Fairmont Room

  • 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Break for tea & coffee (Fairmont Room)

  • 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm               Membership Info Session

  • 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm Afternoon tea

  • 5:00 pm Event concludes

Can I attend?

This event is exclusively for Melbourne-based entrepreneurs who are interested in learning more about EO and what membership offers. To attend, you must meet the EO Qualification Requirements:

  • Own, found, or hold a majority stake in a business generating at least $1M USD in annual revenue

  • OR lead a venture-backed company with at least $2M USD in private funding or $5M USD in public funding and a minimum of 10 employees

How to Register

Submit your Expression of Interest using the form below. If you meet the eligibility criteria and we have capacity, you’ll receive a confirmation within 48 hours. Tickets are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to qualifying individuals, so be sure to confirm your attendance once contacted.

Once your spot is secured, you’ll receive event details and next steps to ensure you get the most out of the experience.

If you’re a growth-focused entrepreneur looking to connect with like-minded business leaders, this is your chance to experience EO Melbourne firsthand.

(EO Members can register separately to the event here.)

About the event

JULIA: Fireside Chat with The Hon. Julia Gillard AC

Join us for an exclusive EO event featuring The Hon. Julia Gillard AC, Australia’s 27th—and only female—Prime Minister, in a candid fireside chat moderated by EO Sydney President Tracy Angwin. This won’t be your typical conversation about leadership. Julia will share never-before-heard stories from her 15 years in Parliament and time leading the nation—offering raw insights into loyalty, power, trust, and the pressure of leading on the world stage.

Go beyond the headlines and step into the room where history was made. We’ll explore the questions few dare to ask, with reflections drawn from Julia’s personal journey and her book Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons, co-authored with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

ABOUT THE HON. JULIA GILLARD AC

Julia Gillard was sworn in as the 27th Prime Minister of Australia on 24 June 2010 and served in that office until June 2013.

As Prime Minister and in her previous role as Deputy Prime Minister, Ms Gillard was central to the successful management of Australia’s economy, the 13th biggest economy in the world, during the Global Financial Crisis and as Australia positioned to seize the benefits of Asia’s rise. Ms Gillard delivered nation-changing policies including reforming Australian education at every level from early childhood to university, creating an emissions trading scheme, improving the provision and sustainability of health care, aged care and dental care, commencing the nation’s first ever national scheme to care for people with disabilities and restructuring the telecommunications sector as well as building the National Broadband Network.

Ms Gillard is the first woman to ever serve as Australia’s Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister. In October 2012, Ms Gillard received worldwide attention for her speech in Parliament on the treatment of women in professional and public life. 

On Australia Day 2017, Ms Gillard was honoured to be awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia.

About the EO Membership Information Session

Designed for entrepreneurs looking to scale, lead, and grow, this session offers an inside look at how EO Melbourne supports business owners through a global network of peers.

You’ll start with a brief introduction to EO, followed by a panel discussion where four EO Melbourne members share their personal experiences, key takeaways, and the impact EO has had on their businesses. A key focus will be Forum, one of EO’s most powerful programs—offering a confidential space for members to discuss challenges, gain insights, and receive support from fellow entrepreneurs.

If you're a founder looking to connect with ambitious business leaders and explore how EO can help take your business to the next level, this is your opportunity.

PANEL:

TRACY ANGWIN (EO Sydney)

CEO and Director, Australian Payroll Association

Tracy Angwin is a solutions expert, media commentator and popular keynote speaker and the driving force behind Australian Payroll Association. Tracy is also the bestselling author of ‘The Payroll Revolution’ and ‘Profit from Payroll’. A self-described ‘corporate escapee with an obsession for improving payroll compliance and efficiency and therefore impacting her clients bottom line’, Tracy is a big picture industry innovator on multiple fronts. As CEO of Australian Payroll Association, she delivers thought leadership to industry, employers and partners. Tracy is currently the President of EO Sydney.

DAWN PIEBENGA  (EO Sydney)

Occupational Therapist, Founder and Managing Director, Interface Medicolegal

Dawn is a registered Occupational Therapist with over three decades of experience, specialising in occupational rehabilitation since 1995. She has conducted medico-legal assessments across Australia for adults and children with moderate to severe injuries, including spinal cord injuries, amputations, psychological conditions, and medical negligence. Her background spans physical, psychiatric, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation settings, with expertise in return-to-work case management, functional assessments, and workplace and home modifications. As a business owner, she leads a national team and continues to mentor and train occupational therapists in the medico-legal field.

MELISSA STRUTT (EO Perth)

Managing Director & Owner, 3BY2

After cutting her teeth in Managed IT, Melissa founded Roobix in 2014, which would grow to be Perth's largest independent agency. She was the recipient of the Business News 40u40 award in 2021. She exited the business after 7 years at the helm and is now the Managing Director of 3BY2. A member and board member of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) - Perth Chapter. Mum of two young lads, wife of Toni and self-confessed sports nut. Mel competes in too many social netball competitions but wouldn’t have life any other way. She isn’t afraid to call a spade a spade and is respected for her no-nonsense approach to SME marketing.

 

LEAH AKOKA (EO Melbourne)

Founder and Managing Director, Wall Street

Leah Akoka is a visionary entrepreneur, human capital innovator, and the driving force behind Wall Street, a premier consultancy specialising in human capital management, payroll, and training. With over two decades of experience, Leah has revolutionised the approach to managing and developing people through her groundbreaking PeopleEconomics® methodology. Through PeopleEconomics® and her broader consultancy services, she has helped numerous organisations across diverse industries to redefine productivity, foster authenticity, and achieve unprecedented success in human capital management.

DONNA GUEST (EO Melbourne)

Co-Founder and Creative Director, Blue Illusion

A self-confessed Francophile, creative force and compassionate thinker, Donna Guest is the co-founder of Blue Illusion, a retail company she launched with her husband Danny over 25 years ago. Together, they imagined a strong vision for Blue Illusion, which has grown into a brand with 95 stand-alone boutiques across Australia and New Zealand, alongside a thriving online presence. As the driving force behind the brand’s creative direction, Donna serves as both Creative Director and CEO. Her passion for all things French shines through in her designs and in the unique retail environments found in every Blue Illusion boutique.

 

about entreprenuers Organization

Founded in 1987, Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global network of 19,000-plus influential business owners, with over 213 chapters in more than 60 countries, including 5 chapters across Australia. The Melbourne chapter, like all chapters globally, is run by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, with the help of our fantastic chapter administration staff.

As a not-for-profit organization, EO is the only global network exclusively for entrepreneurs. EO provides members with growth and leadership opportunities, helping entrepreneurs to develop their business acumen through peer-to-peer learning, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and connections to experts.

 
 

(You may also access the EOI form here. Please email help@eomelbourne.org for any dietary requirements for breakfast.)