Register to attend the Rural Women's Gathering 2024
Located in the Hilltops region, beautiful Harden is the host for this year’s Gathering, on 19 October 2024.
Weaved throughout this year’s program is the theme Sowing The Seeds of Success - Creating Your Own Work, Life Balance.
Enjoy an exciting line up of activities, including a range of enriching workshops, networking opportunities, arts and crafts, cultural experiences and delicious catering and hear from our amazing speakers:
- Jana Pittman, Former Australian Olympian and two-time Athletics world champion
- Ruby Riethmuller, Founder of Womn-Kind and AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award 2024 NSW/ACT Finalist
- Kimberley Furness, Magazine publisher, podcaster and AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award 2022 VIC Winner
The Gathering is a fantastic opportunity for women living in regional and remote areas of NSW to come together and connect, celebrate and learn. You will meet new people, learn new skills, visit new places and overall, have a fabulous time!
Whether you're a seasoned Gathering attendee or a first timer, there is something for everyone to get involved in.
2024 Gathering Program
Rural Women's Gathering 2024 Program. (PDF 1.43MB)
Saturday is guaranteed to be a day full of fun, learning, activities and incredible guest speakers. We can’t wait for you to see what’s in store.
Saturday:
The Saturday highlights are:
- 8:00am - 9:00am – Registrations, Coffee and Tea - Harden Country Club, 50 East Street, Harden, NSW, 2587
- 12:00pm - 12:15pm – Official Welcome - MC Samantha Flanery
- 12:20pm - 12:35pm – Welcome by the Minister Harrison - Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
- 1:00pm - 1:45pm – Keynote Speaker - Jana Pittman
Please see the PDF program above for the full program of events.
*This program is subject to change and will be updated as needed.
Contact ruralwomensgathering@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Guest Speakers
Jana Pittman
Read more information on Jana
Two-time world champion and four-time commonwealth champion in Athletics, Jana Pittman was the first ever woman to represent Australia in the summer and winter Olympics. Jana made her athletics debut at sixteen where she won her first world title, in the following year having made a name for herself with a IAAD Rising Star Award, she was chosen to represent Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Jana inspires through her unmatched resilience and sportsmanship having faced numerous challenges over the years and after a knee injury and rehabilitation Jana reinvented herself and returned as part of the Australian Women’s Bobsleigh Team in the 2014 Sochi winter Olympics.
Outside of her sporting career, Jana is a certified medical practitioner, having graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and a Masters of Reproductive Medicine, she works as a junior doctor and is an ambassador for the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation, Save the Box (RANZGOG) and Westmead Medical Research Foundation.
Jana is an inspirational woman, sharing stories of remarkable courage that helped her succeed in the sporting and medical profession, and she continues to inspire fellow women as a doctor, mother and motivational speaker.
Ruby Riethmuller
Read more information on Ruby
Ruby Riethmuller is the founder of Womn-Kind. Founded in 2020 since its inception Womn-Kind has provided support to over 20,000 young people. Ruby has led Womn-Kind through the entire process from design, development, the launching of wellbeing workshops, a first-of-its-kind social wellness app, podcasts, events, merchandise and more.
Ruby is committed to optimising the wellbeing of young people and she was selected as a Future Women Rural Scholarship Recipient, has been shortlisted for the Young Australia of the Year Award, was a finalist in the Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award, was nominated for the NSW Young Woman of the Year and also won the Buy From the Bush and PayPal BIG BREAK.
Ruby is currently completing a Graduate Diploma in Psychology at UNSW and wants to focus on ensuring that young people who live in regional, rural and remote regions have the same opportunities to access quality, timely and engaging mental health support.
Kimberley Furness
Read more information on Kimberley
Bendigo entrepreneur Kimberley Furness is an award winning magazine publisher and chart topping podcast host who spends her time sharing stories that centre around regional and rural women.
Kimberley is a journalist, social media trainer and mum of four who couldn’t find stories like hers on the magazine shelves, so she created a publishing platform to produce them.
Kimberley has cultivated a community of rural and regional women in business. In 2022, she was nationally recognised with an AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
Kimberley boasts over 20 years of experience in media, marketing and communications, having navigated both sides of the microphone throughout her career. With a comprehensive background spanning various industries and businesses of all sizes, she excels in creating data-driven, insight-led, brand and marketing strategies and campaigns that drive commercial success.
Over the past eight years, Kimberley has dedicated herself to traveling across regional and rural Victoria and New South Wales. Her mission? Empowering local business owners with the expertise and resources needed to effectively leverage social media, ensuring their businesses thrive with confidence.
Planning to stay in Harden for the weekend?
There are a range of additional activities on offer to spend quality time in Harden and enjoy all it has to offer. The Committee are hosting events on Friday and Saturday plus the local markets on Sunday so be sure to get your friends together and book for the weekend.
Friday
Welcome Event
Join the special Welcome Event to kick off the Rural Women’s Gathering 2024. Meet up with old and new friends to kick start a wonderful weekend of fun and friendship.
Date: Friday, 18 October 2024
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: The Light Horse Hotel, 337 Albury St, Harden
*You can register for this event when you purchase your ticket to the Gathering.
Saturday
Dinner
After a day full of incredible workshops and networking, the committee have planned a dinner for attendees to continue the celebration. Bring your partner or friend to share in this memorable evening, sponsored by Graymount.
Australia's leading comedy ventriloquist, Darren Carr will make a special appearance at the Gathering dinner. For over twenty years Darren has been performing thousands of shows both locally here in Australia and overseas.
Date: Saturday, 19th October 2024
Time: 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start
Location: Harden Country Club
Cost: $60pp, includes three course meal and welcome drink on arrival
Dress Code: Casual
*You can register for this event when you purchase your ticket to the Gathering.
Sunday:
Not ready to go home yet? Before heading home be sure to drop by the Harden Community Markets for a delicious bacon and egg roll and browse the huge variety of market stalls on offer!
Date: Sunday 20th October 2024
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Old Tennis Courts and Community Gardens, Harden
Learn more: Harden Murrumburrah Community Markets
FAQ
Event Questions
How can I change/cancel/add to my registration?
Refunds will be available until registrations close on 5 October 2024. After this date refunds and late registrations will be considered on a case by case basis.
If you have any questions please contact the committee at Ruralwomensgathering@gmail.com.
What do I wear?
For the Saturday event and dinner that night, wear casual comfortable clothing. If you have chosen the Golf, Tennis or Yoga workshops, please wear appropriate active clothing and shoes for these activities. If you have selected the Painting for Wellness workshop please bring an apron/smock.
What if I have a dietary or accessibility requirement?
When you register for your ticket, you will be able to provide any details regarding dietary and accessibility requirements.
How do I get to the dinner?
The dinner will be located at the same location as the day event. You are more than welcome to stay and relax or head back to your accommodation before the dinner starts. There will be a courtesy bus available for those staying within the Harden Murrumburrah town area.
What accommodation options are available?
There are a range of accommodation options available in Harden Murrumburrah including:
- The Harden Motel
- The Light Horse Hotel
- The Harden Country Club
- Murrumburrah Harden Showground RV Sites and Camping
- Harden Caravan Park RV Sits and Cabins
There are also a range of Airbnb’s and other accommodation alternatives in Harden Murrumburrah and the surrounding towns of Binalong, Boorowa, Cootamundra, Juiong, Wallendbeen, Wombat and Young also have accommodation available including:
- The Old Bakery Guesthouse (sleeps 4)
- Heggaton Arthouse Apartments (sleeps 2)
- Besties Cottage (sleeps 6)
- Duck Lane Apartment (sleeps 2)
- MB Homestead (sleeps 10)
- Federation Start Apartment (sleeps 4)
- Harden Golfers Rest (sleeps 9)
- Memorial Side Apartment (sleeps 8)
- Cottage in Beggan Beggan (sleeps 6)
- Farm Stay in Cunnigar (sleeps 10)
- The Old Stone Shed, Kingsvale (sleeps 4)
- Jen’s at Jugiong (sleeps 6)
- House on the Hill at Jugiong (sleeps 5)
- Jugiong Old Hall Bed and Breakfast (sleeps 2)
- The Quarters at Jugiong (sleeps 12)
- Ollie Maree at Jugiong
- Geralda Cottage Bed and Breakfast at Jugiong (sleeps 8)
- Jugiong Farming (sleeps 8)
- Jugiong Motor Inn
- The Sir George
If you’d like further information contact the committee at Ruralwomensgathering@gmail.com or 0427 862 173. *Please note that some of these accommodation options may not be available at the time of booking and are subject to demand.
Can my partner attend?
All women can attend the day’s activities on Saturday and partners are also welcome to the welcome drinks on Friday, the dinner event on Saturday night and the Harden Murrumburrah Community Markets on Sunday.
Do you have childcare available?
Please contact the committee at Ruralwomensgathering@gmail.com or 0427 862 173 to discuss it.
Is there public transport available to the venue?
Yes, there is a train to Harden available with most things within walking distance from the train station. The Harden Country club is 1.1km from the train station.
If you have any special requirements email the committee at Ruralwomensgathering@gmail.com or call 0427 862 173 to discuss further.
How do I enquire about holding a stall, or ask questions about the event?
If you have any questions or enquires about the Rural Women's Gathering 2024, please contact the committee at Ruralwomensgathering@gmail.com or 0427 862 173.
Never been to a Rural Women's Gathering?
The NSW Rural Women's Gathering is traditionally an annual event for women from regional, rural and remote areas of NSW to come together to celebrate, connect, network and learn. The Gatherings have been ideal opportunities for women to network and meet other like-minded women.
The first ever Gathering was held in Orange in 1993 and came full circle celebrating 30 years in 2023 back in Orange. The Gatherings are a great success, with women attending to hear from inspiring speakers, participate in creative workshops and have a fantastic weekend away with friends new and old. Decades later the Gatherings continue to be an important event on the rural calendar.
Whether you're a seasoned Gathering attendee or a first timer, there is something for everyone to get involved in. We can’t wait to see you there. Register now!
Please email us at ruralwomensnetwork@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions regarding the Rural Women's Gathering 2024.
Rural Women's Gathering History Book
In 2023 the Rural Women's Gathering celebrated 30 years strong, to commemorate 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.
Registrations are open for those wishing to receive a hardcopy version of the book, while stocks last. A digital version is also available to view and download below.
Register now for your copy of the Rural Women's Gathering History Book.
* T&C's apply to receive your copy. You must be following the Rural Women's Network on social media or the Rural Women's Network newsletter to be eligible.
Download 'The Rural Women's Network: 30 Years Strong - A History of the Rural Women's Gathering' - Accessible Digital VersionCurrent as of Monday, 18 March 2024.
Contact the Committee
If you have questions or enquiries please contact the committee Ruralwomensgathering@gmail.com or call 0427 862 173.