And one woman singing the praises of the organisation is long-time member Barbara Smith.

Mrs Smith is one of the longest serving members of the network established under the guidance of the Southern Highland News in 1993 and led in the early years by advertising manager Natalie Macpherson and more recently by Highlands architect Kathy Barnsley.

BWN is a not-for-profit organisation that provides an outlet for Highlands women with a common bond in business.

Mrs Smith joined the group in 1995 shortly after moving to the Highlands from Jamberoo.

“I was encouraged by a friend to attend one of the monthly breakfast meetings and I have been a BWN member ever since,” Mrs Smith said.

“I love everything about the group: the excellent guest speakers, the atmosphere of the club and the friendship.

“Everyone is incredibly friendly and welcoming and that has helped me to grow in confidence.

“These days I have a lot of input in the friendliness of the organisation because it is my job to meet and greet and look after the monthly guest speakers on arrival - it is a job I love.”

Mrs Smith said the aim of BWN was to develop a network between businesswomen in the community.

However, she said the group was as much about forming bonds among people with similar interests as it was about networking, and was quick to add you don’t have to be a business owner to be a member of BWN.

“We have both retired and current businesswomen as well as people who are working for others who are members of the group and they all seem to get something out of our gatherings,” Mrs Smith said.

“When I first joined the group I was involved with my husband in the aerospace industry. These days we are growing truffles with hopes of our first harvest in 2011.”

Mrs Smith said one of the great qualities of the BWN was that all members were involved in its effective operation.

She said the network had a committee of 8-10 people who took charge of administrative details such as booking monthly breakfasts.

“All members have input into the selection of monthly guest speakers and one member a month is selected as the cameo speaker to share their ideas and promote their business through a 10 minute speech,” she said.

While Mrs Smith revels in the opportunity to mix with like-minded business people through the BWN it is clear her primary focus is about being part of the community.

She said she was excited by a move by the BWN to sponsor the 2009 Business Woman of the Year Awards in conjunction with the Southern Highland News.

She has long been involved in community projects and organisations wherever she has lived, starting with her role on the Engadine Auxiliary of Northcott Disability since 1967.

Mrs Smith is now a patron of the auxiliary, which is a branch of a NSW organisation established by Sydney Rotary Club in 1929 and originally known as the NSW Society for Crippled Children.

She is currently assisting with plans for the 80th anniversary dinner celebration to be conducted at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney on October 31.

Money raised from the evening will go towards ongoing projects to support people with disabilities.

She is also a formative member of Southern Highlands Innerwheel, which raises money for various community projects with this year’s charitable focus being Bowral youth projects.

BWN breakfast gatherings are conducted on the first Wednesday morning of each month at various locations in the Southern Highlands with the next meeting on August 5.

A special lunchtime gathering is scheduled for September 2 at Annesley, Bowral.

Guest speaker at the BWN lunch will be Australian-based United States consul-general Judith Fergin.

Prior bookings and payment are essential for all events.

Details: www.bwnsh.com.

Enquire about the Northcott Disability 80th birthday celebrations through Mrs Smith on 0418 277 685.