Australian Women in Agriculture National Conference 2023: Shaping the Future

Conference Overview

The theme of this year’s Australian Women in Agriculture National Conference is “Growing Futures – Breaking Barriers.” Taking place from August 5-7 at the Stamford Grand in Adelaide, this event unites women across the agricultural sector to delve into topics of leadership, innovation, sustainability, and advocacy.

A Rich History

Founded in 1994, the not-for-profit organization continues to serve as Australia’s premier body supporting women in various agricultural fields, dedicated to enhancing visibility and unity among women in the industry.

Exciting Program Highlights

This year’s conference promises a dynamic lineup, featuring keynote speakers, workshops, panel discussions, and numerous networking opportunities, coupled with regional farm tours post-conference. Notable speakers include:

Su McCluskey

Su McCluskey, Australia’s inaugural Special Representative for Agriculture, will be addressing attendees, sharing her insights from the Global Agriculture Leadership Initiative.

Additionally, Sarah Curran, part of the Executive Leadership Team at Thomas Foods International, will discuss the global strategic vision of the company and the integral role of HR in enhancing performance.

The conference will also feature Associate Professor Kate Gunn, who specializes in farmers’ health, sharing expertise on their mental health challenges and strengths.

The closing address, delivered by Georgie Somerset, a cattle producer and agricultural advocate, will focus on inspiring growth, both individually and collectively.

Connecting and Supporting Women in Agriculture

The full program and regional tour details can be found on the Australian Women in Agriculture website. Additionally, this year’s event will offer sponsored tickets for grain growers and producers affected by drought or floods, covering the cost of conference registration, including the welcome dinner and gala dinner.

“Thanks to the support of individual donors, the CSIRO, and GRDC, we can provide these opportunities,” said AWiA acting president Cressida Cains. “In these tough times for the ag industry, maintaining connections and support networks for rural and regional women is more critical than ever.”