Join women across regional, rural and remote NSW on 17 October 2026 for a free day of inspiration, learning and connection.
Hear from women 'Breaking new ground' and shaping the future of their communities through business, fashion, art, agriculture, wellbeing and more.
Whether you are looking to grow a business, prioritise wellbeing, learn something new or meet like-minded women, this day is for you.
Key Speakers and Workshops
Event Speakers
Discover the speakers shaping this year's conversation.
Kirsty Evans - Event MC
Kirsty Evans, 2025 NSW Regional Woman of the Year, is a powerhouse advocate for regional communities.
Following the devastating 2022 floods in Molong, she spearheaded a pro bono legal response, dedicating more than 250 hours to support local business owners navigating complex insurance disputes.
Her determination and commitment have made a lasting difference to the recovery of Molong.
Colleen Tighe-Johnson
Colleen Tighe-Johnson is taking Gomeroi culture to the world stage.
As the founder of Buluuy Mirrii ("Black Star"), Colleen creates luxury fashion that celebrates Gamilaraay language, stories and connection to Country. Her designs have featured at Australian, Melbourne and New York Fashion Weeks, including opening Australian Fashion Week in 2025 with her collection Love from Gamilaraay.
Lottie Rae
Lottie Rae is an Australian artist and entrepreneur known for her distinctive contemporary works celebrating nostalgia, Australiana, and regional life.
Based in rural NSW, Lottie has built a globally recognised creative business, with her artwork collected around the world and admired by notable names including Gigi Hadid.
Julie Fragar
Julie Fragar is an acclaimed Australian artist whose work explores memory, identity and the relationships that shape our lives. In 2025, Julie was awarded Australia's most prestigious portrait prize, the Archibald Prize. Through her practice, Julie continues to push the boundaries of contemporary portraiture and storytelling.
Milli Weaver
Named the 2026 NSW Young Woman of the Year, Milli founded the Australian Endometriosis Foundation at just 24, creating a peer-led organisation dedicated to supporting young Australians living with endometriosis and advocating for better awareness, education and care.
A passionate champion for women's health, Milli is driving important conversations around reproductive health, fertility preservation and chronic illness, with a strong focus on improving access to healthcare for people in rural and regional communities.
Tiffany Leahy
Tiffany Leahy spent more than 20 years building some of the world's most recognised brands before making the move from corporate boardrooms to regional NSW. Now based in Central West NSW, Tiffany combines enterprise-level strategy with first-hand experience running businesses in regional Australia.
As founder of Regional AI Co., she helps business owners use artificial intelligence and practical systems to work smarter, grow sustainably and unlock new opportunities.
Dr Rebecca Shephard
From the University of Sydney's Plant Breeding Institute in Narrabri, Dr Rebecca Shephard is leading research that could transform the future of Australian farming. Her work developing heat-tolerant wheat varieties is helping ensure agriculture remains productive, resilient and ready for a changing climate.
Jen Laurie
As founder of Her Herd, Jen Laurie is empowering rural and regional families with the support, connection and advocacy they need to thrive. From her work as a mental health clinician to her leadership of the Bush Babies 2025 campaign, Jen is helping improve access to maternity care and better outcomes for women across regional NSW.
Workshops
Choose from 15+ women-led practical workshops focusing on arts and culture, health and wellbeing, relationships, business and technology, the environment and agriculture.
Sideline Events Program
Extend your Rural Women's Gathering experience with a range of sideline events designed to showcase the vibrant communities, local hospitality and unique attractions that make the Narrabri region such a wonderful place to visit.
Getting to Narrabri
Free Shuttle buses
Free shuttle buses will be running from Gunnedah and Pilliga to Narrabri on Saturday 17 October. These can be booked when you register.
Explore the Narrabri Region
The Narrabri Region is bursting with attractions and adventures just waiting to be had. Experience unique locations such as Mount Kaputar National Park, Sculptures in the Scrub, Artesian Bore Baths, Black Snake Distillery, CSIRO Australia Telescopes or Narrabri Fish Farm. Enjoy boutique shopping, incredible food experiences, culture and uncover hidden surprises.
Head to the Explore Narrabri Region to see what’s waiting for you to discover.
View the Narrabri Region Visitor Guide here.
Explore a range of accommodation options on the official Narrabri Shire tourism website, including hotels and motels to boutique stays and bed and breakfasts.
Visit Narrabri Region Accommodation Guide to find the perfect place for your stay.
FAQs
The NSW Rural Women’s Gathering (the Gathering) is a long-standing annual event that takes place in a different NSW rural location each year, bringing together women from regional, rural and remote areas of NSW to celebrate, connect, network and learn.
Each Gathering reflects the unique culture, talent, industry, tourism and environment of the host community.
Now in its 33rd year the Gathering is traditionally for gathering rural women with support, information and skills to enable them to address the myriads of challenges they face as a result of living in a rural location in New South Wales.
The first NSW Rural Women’s Gathering was held in Orange in 1993. Since then, the Gathering has been held in different locations around rural NSW. Then 30 years later, the Gathering came full circle and was held in Orange once again, for the 2023 Rural Women's Gathering.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, the RWN reflected on 30 years of Rural Women’s Gatherings and the incredible committees who made it all possible and created a history book. The history book titled The NSW Rural Women's Network: 30 Years Strong - A History of the Rural Women's Gathering, was launched during NSW Women's Week 2024 at the Armidale International Women's Day event. Download your e-version here for a extensive and engaging read on the previous Gatherings.
It will be held at The Crossing Theatre, 117 Tibbereena St, Narrabri.
Registrations for the Rural Women's Gathering, and optional events, will be available from early September. Start your planning and mark it in your diaries!
This year's Rural Women’s Gathering is free to register. This includes access to the full program running from 9am to 5pm, access to two workshops (subject to availability) and catering including morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Optional sideline events and activities range in cost across the weekend. Many activities are kindly sponsored to keep ticket costs low.
When registering for the Rural Women’s Gathering you will need to select:
- Workshops x 2 preferences (subject to availability)
- Dietary needs
Optional information:
- Book the optional sideline events, noting some require a fee.
- Book a seat on the free shuttle buses (subject to availability)
- Book childcare minding services
- Opt to join the buddy program
- Confirm if you have any accessibility needs
With a waitlist of many interested women, we appreciate your support to ensure full capacity on the day. If you cannot attend email us at ruralwomensnetwork@tco.nsw.gov.au with the name you registered under, and we will do the rest.
For the Rural Women’s Gathering, wear what makes you feel best! Typically, attendees opt for smart casual wear. If you have chosen an active workshop, please wear appropriate active clothing and shoes for these activities.
History of the Rural Women's Gathering
Learn more about the history of the Rural Women's Gathering.