Harden Murrumburrah Passes the Flame to Lismore for the 2025 Rural Women’s Gathering

Lismore has been named the host of the 2025 Rural Women’s Gathering during a symbolic candle lighting ceremony at the 2024 event in Harden Murrumburrah. Tina Irish and Karen Hirst, representatives of Lismore City Council, joined Minister for Women Jodie Harrison and the 2024 organising committee to offcially accept the responsibility of hosting next year’s gathering.

The NSW Government has committed $30,000 to support the event, reinforcing its dedication to empowering women and girls in regional, rural, and remote NSW. This funding aims to foster connections and build new skills to help women achieve their full potential.

The Rural Women’s Gathering is an annual event that moves to a different location each year. This year’s gathering in Harden Murrumburrah, themed “Sowing the Seeds of Success - Creating Your Own Work-Life Balance,” offered a diverse program of workshops, networking opportunities, and cultural experiences, all designed by a dedicated local volunteer committee.

Inspiring female leaders spoke at the event, including former Australian Olympian and two-time Athletics World Champion Jana Pittman, Founder of Womn-Kind and AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award 2024 NSW/ACT Finalist Ruby Reithmuller, and Kimberley Furness, AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award 2022 VIC Winner, magazine publisher, and podcaster. Details for the 2025 gathering will be shared via the NSW Rural Women’s Network’s fortnightly e-newsletter. Interested individuals can subscribe at nsw.gov. au/women-nsw/ruralwomens-network.

Ministerial Support

Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting women in rural and regional communities, acknowledging the unique challenges they face and celebrating their resilience. She stated:

“The Rural Women’s Gathering is a valuable opportunity for women to share their experiences and learn from one another, ultimately strengthening communities across NSW. I thank the Harden Murrumburrah team for their outstanding efforts in making this year’s event a success, and I look forward to the 2025 gathering in Lismore.”

Minister for Women, Jodie Harrison, expressed her gratitude for the volunteers who made the 2024 event possible, emphasizing the gathering’s importance in connecting women to vital resources and fostering resilience:

“After 31 years, the Rural Women’s Gathering remains a pivotal event on the NSW Rural Women’s Network calendar, enabling women from regional, rural, and remote areas to connect, learn, and celebrate. I am eager to see the exciting program Lismore will deliver in 2025.”

Local Excitement for 2025

Janelle Saffn, Member for Lismore, expressed her excitement for Lismore to host the 2025 event, noting the strength and leadership of women in the region:

“We have incredible women across our community involved in various sectors, from the CWA to emergency services. The Rural Women’s Gathering in Lismore is a fantastic opportunity to showcase their contributions and make it easier for local women to participate.”