IN PICTURES: Women in Farming’s annual seminar a huge success in Cranbrook
Shannon VerhagenCountryman
Women In Farming Cranbrook branch members Kylie Tomlinson, Sonia Addis, Vicky Williamson, Kate Pollard, Courtney Wilson, Julieann Climie and Hilary Waterson. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/Countryman
The energy and enthusiasm at the annual Women in Farming seminar last week was infectious.
With the theme, ‘Find Your Voice, Find Your Passion,’ the day was spent hearing from inspiring women working across the State’s $11 billion agricultural sector and pursuing their dreams.
Beautiful flowers and food at the Women in Farming seminar. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/Countryman
Rachael Springbett and Kate Johnston, both of Nyabing. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanThe seminar was a sell-out. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanFrankland Rural office manager Bronwen Cooke, admin and sales Chloe Worth, animal health and production Zali Spencer and director Chloe Casson. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/Countryman
The Cranbrook Sporting Club was abuzz during the sold-out event, with 130 women from across WA travelling to the Great Southern for the day.
Charismatic TEDx speaker and copywriter Martha Barnard-Rae — who developed Albany Farm Fresh Eggs’ website and proudly mentioned her incorporation of “adorable egg puns” — had the crowd in stitches.
Lincoln's Albany client support administrator Brooke Noble and manager Caitlin Davidovic. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanEmcee Martha Barnard-Rae captivated the crowd. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/Countryman
She also emphasised the importance of women finding their passion and “the thing that lights them up”.
“I really believe that finding something you’re excited about is revolutionary and spending time doing that thing is revolutionary,” Mrs Barnard-Rae said.
Kojonup's Christie Smith and Amy Sims, of Smith Thornton accounting in Albany. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanKojonup's Ros Trezise, Dryandra's Sarah Wiesse and Kojonup's Sam O'Halloran. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanGeorgia Pugh spoke about all things agtech. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/Countryman
Guest speakers Louise O’Neill, Georgia Pugh, Chris Tonkin, Lesley Fantin, Freya Spencer and Kellie Todman discussed mental health, grain marketing, agtech, carbon and leadership.
Colin Ford from Frankland River Free Range Pork and Albany Farm Fresh Eggs, fine art digital photographer Claudia Caporn, bee keeper, woolgrower and nurse Jen Clappin and holistic regenerative farmer David James also took part in an interactive panel session discussing their journeys.
Varley's Rachel Winyard and Lake King's Sarah Frost. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanCranbrook's Stacey Hardingham and Eliza James. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/Countryman
Women in Farming board members Davina Gossage, Laura Cala, Tina Yarding, Yvette Downey, Naomi Hall, Carolyn Reid and (front) Sarah Frost, Jenny West and Jane Kowald. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/Countryman
It was the network’s first seminar under its rebranded name, which was changed last year to promote inclusivity in its 11 branches and more than 200 members, and coincided with the launch of their Instagram page.
BJS rural manager Fiona Kirk and Countrywide Insurance Wheatbelt Great Southern area manager Michelle Batt and account manager Rebecca Osborne. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanSouth Regional TAFE Albany agriculture lecturer Susanne Hill and Tenterden's Sheena House. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanKeynote speaker Bec Bignell shares her inspiring story. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/Countryman
Keynote speaker Bec Bignell finished off the event by sharing her inspiring story to becoming an award-winning film producer and sharing sneak-peeks of her seven-part award-winning web series Homespun — which was filmed in regional WA — ahead of its commercial release later this year.
Mochacino's Megan Robinson, of Kojonup, served up plenty of hot brews on the day. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/Countryman
Megacino’s coffee van kept the crowd caffeinated, local farmer and caterer Dallis Preston from Ashtondale delivered delicious treats and Planatagent Wines capped the day off with a sundowner, while Hire In Style transformed the venue with beautiful homewares.
Beautiful flowers and food at the Women in Farming seminar. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanPip Crook, of Jingalup, Great Southern Grammar head of senior boarding Vanessa Bromhead and Farmanco's Katrina Kowald, of Kojonup. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanAFGRI Albany's Danielle Sceets and AFGRI Gnowangerup's Sarah Henning. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanOngerup's Rosalyn Chisholm and Lincoln's manager Dot Ruck. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanBeautiful flowers and food at the Women in Farming seminar. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanCBH's Jenna Klemm and WIF member Christine Howard. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/CountrymanBroomehill's Cindy Paganoni, Perth's Jessica Brunner and Broomehill's Marie van Blommestein. Credit: Shannon Verhagen/Countryman/Countryman
