The Queensland Regional, Rural and Remote Women’s Network (QRRRWN) is celebrating this year’s International Day of Rural Women (IDRW) in Toowoomba on Monday 14th October with a panel forum and luncheon at Gip’s Restaurant, Toowoomba, and the launch of an ebook celebrating QRRRWN’s 20th anniversary.
IDRW celebrates the role of women in rural areas worldwide and recognises their achievements and contribution to agriculture and development and QRRRWN is launching “Looking Forward, Looking Back”, a collection of inspirational stories by rural, regional and remote women across Australia. Created through a competition, run by Writers Web, to celebrate the QRRRWN’s milestone birthday, the winner of the ‘most inspirational story’ will be announced on the day. Entries were received in fiction and non-fiction categories and judges announced the shortlisted entries at the annual QRRRWN conference in Blackall in September.
Organiser Sarah Fea says that the event is a fantastic way to bring rural women together. “QRRRWN is a wonderful organisation that enables women from all over Queensland to connect and it is events like these that provide us with the chance to celebrate our members,” she said. “It’s important that we recognise International Day of Rural Women and I can’t think of a better way than to launch a book conceived and written by inspiring rural women.”
“The theme “Looking Forward, Looking Back” is very appropriate for QRRRWN’s 20th year as we look forward to plan our future achievements and celebrate how far we and all those before us have come,” Ms Fea said. “We also have a panel of prominent and high-achieving rural women to speak and inspire guests, which is a great opportunity for networking and learning.”
On the panel are author, mentor and speaker Elizabeth Gillam; agribusiness leader Elizabeth Lobsey; journalist Alice Gorman and Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development, Dr. Retha Wiesner. The panel will be interviewed by ABC Rural journalist Cassie Hough.
All are welcome to attend the luncheon at Gip’s Restaurant, Toowoomba on Monday 14th October from 11am to 2pm. The price is $55 for QRRRWN members and $65 for non-members and includes a two-course lunch and a complementary drink on arrival.
Bookings can be made at www.qrrrwnonline.wildapricot.org or by phoning 1300 795 571.
