The RRR Network and WIBB Geraldton are collaborating to bring you a morning of inspiration and networking, hearing from a powerhouse panel of women as they discuss the hot topics affecting rural, regional, and remote women in 2024.
Guest speakers include:
Fleur Thompson – RRR Network Board Member
Fleur experienced the challenges of drought, family dynamics and isolation firsthand on her family farm, along with the joys of farm-life, freedom and the bush.
After studying science at University and roles with the Department of Agriculture in WA she returned to the family farm. She ran a successful, national award winning, nature-based farm tourism business for six years before becoming a Rural Financial Counsellor in 2008 and worked with farmers and pastoralists in financial stress. Fleur experienced the resilience of rural people and the heartbreak of loss in this job and created her own life coaching business in 2010 specialising in purpose as a pathway to facilitate change.
Jacquie Warr, Planfarm
Raised in Three Springs, Jacquie’s agricultural journey began in 2000 with the Australian Wheat Board – evolving into a Grain Marketing Advisory role with Planfarm in 2021 – which sees her working with growers across Western Australia from Geraldton in the North through to Esperance in the South.
Jacquie partners with growers to provide tailored grain marketing strategies in line with current local and global environments, reducing risk and easing the stress of grain marketing.
Based in Geraldton with her family, Jacquie has held various voluntary community roles and together with her husband Rohan, became a partner of Dongara Marine – Shipwrights and Boatbuilders in 2016 in a support role capacity.
Jacquie is a passionate advocate for young people (particularly women) in agriculture where in grain marketing – no day is ever the same!
Colette Newton, CBH Group
Colette Newton is the Geraldton Zone General Manager for CBH and has worked for the co-operative for more than 12 years. Awarded an Australian Rural Leadership Foundation Scholarship through CBH in 2023, Collette has been instrumental in strengthening the Geraldton zone’s safety culture – not only for employees, but also for growers and transport workers.
Hailing from York in the UK, Colette worked on the railways as a junior and then later as a project manager for Network Rail before receiving an exciting opportunity to move to Australia in 2011. At the time, Collette’s Australian visa limited her to working in specific industries; one of which was agriculture. Even though she had no experience in the industry, she was up for the challenge and applied for a role with CBH and got it! Becoming the Zone Administration Coordinator for the Geraldton zone, she stayed in this role for seven years.
With a broad range of experiences, Colette will discuss forging unexpected career paths in the regions.
Dr Pippin Holmes, Aero Medical
Born and raised on her family’s farm in Mingenew, Dr Pippin attended the local primary school before heading to boarding school at PLC. During two gap years (one after high school and one during her time as a junior doctor), she returned to Mingenew and to work on the farm.
After graduation from UWA, Dr Pippin spent two years working as a doctor in Albany before returning to the Mid West in 2017 where she worked at Geraldton Regional Hospital followed by completion of her training in General Practice at Midwest Aero Medical Services.
Currently living in Geraldton, Dr Pippin enjoys spending her free time back on the farm in Mingenew and helping during busy seasons like harvest.
Tickets are selling fast, so secure your spot now!