The RRR Network and CBH Group proudly joined forces in 2022 to celebrate the remarkable regional women who juggle multiple roles and make a lasting impact on their communities. Here are the inspiring women we’ve had the honour of highlighting so far as part of the “Many Hats” Campaign.
Kirsty Carter, Dalwallinu
Kirsty is a mum and business owner, who is always brainstorming new ideas to support her town and community. She is the Treasurer for the Community Resource Centre (CRC) and an active member of the Tourism Committee, contributing to regional growth.
She assisted with the reopening of the local Op Shop and played a key role in implementing the Staying in Place Programme in Dalwallinu.
Kirsty also volunteers in sports, school fundraisers, and the community garden, and also lends a hand on the family farm when needed.
Alana Hartley, Northam
Alana has lived, worked and contributed to many Wheatbelt communities since moving to the region 14 years ago.
She is a mum, agricultural industry professional, a sports lover who loves a good game of hockey any time of the year and has been involved in regional swimming clubs for years as a coach and committee member.
With a degree in Agribusiness from Curtin University, Alana has supported farmers in the decision making process for many years.
Bec Hood, Ballidu
Meet Bec from Ballidu – a mum of two young boys, a dedicated worker on her family’s broadacre cropping farm, and a skilled vet nurse with 15 years of experience in Dalwallinu and Wongan Hills. Before becoming a working mum, Bec was also a proud member of the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Service, always ready to help in times of need. As a sister, aunty, and valued community member, Bec plays a vital role in keeping her community strong. Regional women truly are the backbone of our rural towns!
Suzie Eaton, Dalwallinu
Meet Suzie from Dalwallinu – a superwoman who wears many hats! She’s a mum of three, a wife, aunty, and a friend to all. From being the President of the P&C Association and organising school fundraisers, to supporting the local Bush Fire Volunteer Group, coaching Minkey, and helping out on the family farm – Suzie does it all!
Janelle South, Darkan
Janelle is a mum of two, a sheep and crop farmer co-managing alongside her husband, 3900 hectares while also handling administrative tasks for their business.
But her contributions extend beyond farming and family. Janelle is the secretary of the Darkan Hotel Community Project board, working to transform the Darkan Pub into a family-friendly hub. She is also the treasurer for the revitalized Darkan CWA which aims to foster connections among local women in a welcoming environment.
Janelle’s commitment doesn’t stop there. She volunteers at the local sporting complex, playgroup, and contributes to school fundraisers. She is also a valuable member of the Darkan Community Builders team, dedicated to enhancing the town’s public spaces.
Nyree Taylor & Jade Stoney, Moora
Nyree and Jade are a dynamic duo who both wear many hats in their community, households, sporting groups, social groups, passions, farming businesses and especially creative hats at the Gardiner Street Arts Collective in Moora. Both women wear their colourful, creative and collaborative hats with passion and drive.
Tess Daly, Geraldton
Tessa is the Regional Manager for the Stephen Michael Foundation for Mid West and Gascoyne, where she is passionate about developing programs and involvement for young students to get active and grow life skills through the SMF core focuses. Tessa is also the Secretary of the Gascoyne Football Association and works with the football community to foster change and implement initiatives like Country Week for their youth. Not only is Tessa a board member of the Carnarvon Race Committee, she assists in the training of race horses alongside her family, and has done this since she was young. Tessa studies sport science at Curtin University where her interest for all things sports has been both a career path and way of life. Tessa is a keen footballer and loves the feeling of being on the field with her fellow team mates. To her core, Tessa is passionate about women, sport and equality and finally is a RRR Network member.
Wendy Pederick, Wagin
Wendy Pederick, who is from Wagin and is many things for her regional community and family. Wendy is a wife, mother, grandmother, and all-rounder friend to her community. Wendy is also the co-founder of the Wagin CommuniTEA Hub, a Stitches of Hope – Bringing Hope to Cambodia Board Member, has a degree in counselling, volunteers for Community Builders where she loves to assist the local community and is a RRR Network member.
Tarnya Fraser, Quairading
Meet Tarnya Fraser who is a grain grower in Quairading and who also owns a small trucking company. She is on the CBH Growers’ Advisory Council and spends time advocating for WA grain growers and highlighting relevant ag information. Tarnya is the deputy Chair of the Quairading Co-op, the entity who own and run the local supermarket. Tarnya worked to ensure the supermarket will thrive for another generation. The Quairading Co-op is now a reliable and valued business servicing its community.
Bec Kelly, Mingenew
Bec is a Mingenew farmer who experienced the impact of the resource (gas) industry on her land. This led her to become a CBH Nuffield Scholarship recipient, who this year will travel to the US and Europe to learn more about the environmental and social impacts of resources on agricultural land. On top of this massive undertaking, Bec is on numerous Boards, such as being the Chair and Secretary at her local fire brigade, on the board of her town show called ‘Expo’, local hockey club board, Mingenew Irwin Group Committee, the Industry Funding Scheme Selection Committee and on an east coast education board – Marcus Oldham College.
Laura Cala, Narembeen
Laura left her city life, corporate job and followed her heart to the country and has never looked back. Laura may as well be a country girl these days as she has immersed herself in the regional community not only in Narembeen but right across Australia. Laura is on the Women in Farming Board, on the National Rural Women’s Coalition and Network Communications Reference Team, RRR Network Operations Committee, a Country to Canberra Board Member, works for the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, a Committee member for Shifting Gears and teaches dance to children in Narembeen.
Tracy Lefroy, Moora
Meet Tracy, a woman of many hats. She is an advocate, creating change in the regions and in the grains industry. Tracy is also a mother, wife, farmer, the Shire President of the Moora Shire Council, a Grower Representative on the National Policy Group for Grain Growers and a passionate and active RRR Network Member. Tracy looks toward the future of women in the agricultural industry and making waves through high-level leadership roles.
Chriss Smith, Esperance
Chrissy is one of ten children and her busy childhood experience says a lot about who she is today. Not only did she grow up surrounded by a large family but she was also actively engaged in community from a young age thanks to her parents who started local business Esperance Care Services. “Being part of community was a fundamental part of my life”. From around the age of 11 Chrissy always helped with the family business. These early life lessons unknowingly paved a way forward for Chrissy to support the wider community later in life.