2026 Conference Program
Day 1.
Monday 27
Women on Agricultural Boards Network Breakfast
8am to 9am For AWiA Women on Ag boards and AgriFutures RWA Alumni
Conference Program
10:00am Welcome
10:40am Opening Keynote
11:10am Speed Networking: Connect, Share, Spark New Possibilities - Cathy McGowan AO
Start the conference feeling connected, confident, and part of the room, the session helps everyone, from first-time attendees to regular speakers, feel part of the community from the very start.
1:10pm AgriFutures Panel
1:40pm Spark Session!
2:00pm Local Voices Stronger Together: Communities Creating Change
- Maggie Jarrett See Saw Wines, Caitlin Herbert Gundamain Feedlot and Mel Kiel Farmer & educator KLR Livestock Marketing
Community leaders who are driving change from the ground up, sharing practical examples of innovation, resilience, and solutions.
Lunch - networking
12:10- 1:10pm
2:30pm Power Bites
Grains leading the way – GRDC
MLA Insights - Irene Sobotta MLA
Bureau of Meteorology Agriculture update: App, Forecasts, Tailored Warnings, Pacific Engagement and My Climate View - —- Jamieson Lowe and Stephanie Dickins, Bureau of Meteorology
Afternoon Tea - networking
2:55- 3:25pm
3:25pm International Indigenous Voices Panel – Australia and NZ
4:50pm Learnings from PNG
4:15pm Closing Keynote
4:45pm Closing Summary
5:00pm Close
Networking Evening
6:30pm
Proudly Supported by Elders
Day 2.
Tuesday 28
CSIRO Indigenous Breakfast
7:45am to 8:30am
Conference Program
9:00 am Welcome
9:15am The Future of Ag - Vi Nguyen, Founder & CEO Ryka Global
This keynote explores how rapid industry disruption, accelerating AI capability and the push for digital inclusion are reshaping the way regional and agricultural communities work, learn and lead.
9:45am Women on Agricultural Boards Panel - Pip Job, Tammy O’Malley and Linda Bracken
Three members of AWiA’s WOAB program to share their journeys, lessons, and the realities of stepping into governance roles. Through reflections and practical insights, this panel explores what it takes to lead with confidence, navigate challenges, and influence decision-making at every level
Morning Tea - networking
10:15am
10:45am Climate and Agriculture - Dr Rebecca Darbyshire, CSIRO
11:15am Spark Session!
11:30am Backing Women in Agricultural Advocacy - Elke Cleverdon, Felicity Richards and Rebecca Wilde
Explore how grounded leadership shapes statewide and national impact across Australia’s agricultural sector. Speakers will unpack how emerging issues, such as fuel, fertiliser and supply‑chain pressures are bought into national policy conversations, and how shared industry goals like the NFF $100 billion vision help set collective direction.
Lunch - networking
12:00pm - 1:00pm
1:00pm Rapid Fire Session: From idea to movement – how women in ag are disrupting their industries
Global Models for Regenerative Impact - Ebony Greaves-Zwinggi , Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, SEAOAK Consulting
Precision fermentation and bio manufacturing - from food to fuels - Michele Stanfield, Founder & CEO, Cauldron
Breakout Workshops
Choose 1!
1:30pm
Agritourism, Community Identity and Regional Futures
Facilitators: Olivia Reynolds
Agritourism is more than farm visits, it’s a catalyst for regional development, local jobs, and stronger community identity. This session brings together producers, councils, and tourism leaders to explore how agritourism can drive economic resilience while protecting the integrity of working farms.
Rural Systems for Women: Childcare, Flexible Work, and Safe Participation
Facilitators: Emily Blackburn
Rural women aren’t opting out of work or leadership, they’re navigating systems that were never designed with their realities in mind. This session unpacks how rigid “always‑on” work structures, childcare shortages, cultural expectations about who leads, and biases in promotion pathways collide to limit women’s long‑term participation. Participants will examine the structural levers that matter most, from flexible work design to childcare systems and safer pathways to participate
2:45pm Reflections and next steps
Designing a Rural Skills, Digital, Technology and Innovation Blueprint
Facilitators: Vi Nguyen, Cressida Cains
This participatory workshop will explore how women across agriculture can be supported to confidently adopt digital tools, technology and innovation. Through shared discussion and practical insights, the session will identify priority opportunities, barriers, and actions AWiA can take forward to government, industry and education providers.
Afternoon Tea - networking
3:15pm - 3:45pm
3:45pm Strengthening the Voice of Modern Agriculture - Claire Taylor, Agvocacy Consulting
Across the world, communities are finding new ways to speak up, be heard, and shape the decisions that affect them. Drawing on insights from her global Nuffield Scholarship, Claire shares powerful stories of people who are standing up for what they believe in, challenging the status quo and changing the direction of conversations around agriculture. Be inspired to think bigger, communicate with confidence, and use your voice as a leader in modern agriculture.
4:10pm Reflection Summary - Cressida Cains, AWiA President
4:30pm Close
A Touch of Orange
Conference Dinner, Banksia
6:30pm - 10:00pm
Note: this is a draft program and subject to change
Big ideas, real impact.
We look forward to seeing you in Orange!