About Us
Our History
​The spark came in 1993 at a rural women's gathering at Tallangatta in Victoria when Australian Women in Agriculture was formed. Four Tasmanian dairy farmers who travelled to the gathering wanted to have something similar for rural women in Tasmania. Rae Wardlaw is one of those women who stood for and organised the first Tasmanian Gathering in 1994 at Scottsdale. She says over 140 women came from around the state and from that event, Tasmanian Women in Agriculture was formed.
Ruth Paterson was employed by the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industry from 1994 to 2003 and was instrumental in developing the Tasmanian Women in Agriculture Program. Mrs Paterson was the first woman in Australia to chair an Agriculture Field Day Committee (Agfest in 1993 and 1994), and the recipient of the first ABC Tasmanian Rural Women of the Year Award. She says Tasmanian Women In Agriculture changed the culture by encouraging women to realise their potential and by calling for recognition and seats at decision making tables.
Our Vision
A vibrant, connected, relevant and socio-economically resilient community with sustainable ecosystems where Tasmanian rural women equally participate, are empowered, and have equitable access to resources.
Our Mission
To connect, support, celebrate, educate, empower, and promote women with a passion for agriculture to ensure a sustainable, vibrant, socially inclusive women's network who can mentor and strengthen each other in their need to achieve better outcomes for themselves, their agribusinesses, their families, and the environment.
Our Goals
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Socio-economic and environmental empowerment of rural, regional, and remote Tasmanian
women and support for their full and equal participation in decision-making at all levels in boththe formal and informal economies. -
To upskill women in production methods, new and emerging crops, and technology, as well as strengthening biodiversity and use of regenerative agriculture to improve soil health and build resilience to climate change.
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Improved capacity of women entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers to access grant and
finance opportunities.
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Cohesive and responsive corporate governance.
Our Strategic Plan
To read the TWiA Strategic Plan, please click here
Annual Report
To read the 2024 Annual Report, please click here
Executive Committee
Deb Morice - Chair
Joined TWiA – too long ago to remember, but I was on the first gathering committee at Scottsdale in 1994
Location – East Parkham
Occupation – We run a beef property - have 100 breeding Angus cows and we have an ag contracting business with our son Marcus.
How did you become involved in the Rural Industry? - Born on a dairy farm at Meander, shared dairy farming with Greig my husband for 22 years at Montana, Derby and Rushy Lagoon before we purchased Greig’s family farm here at Parkham. Worked off the farm at Ashgrove and Fonterra.
What do you love about being a member of TWIA? - . I value the friendships, learnings and connection made in my time with TWIA - it has been a big part of who I am today. The Marcus Oldham Leadership Program was the best thing I did and a turning point in my life with the decisions I made after the course. I would like to give back to the organization & agriculture some of the skills learnt in this time and support all agricultural women in all their endeavors.
Email: chair@taswomeninag.org
Sue Hinton - Vice Chair
Joined TWiA – earlier in 2024
Location – Launceston
Regional Group – Tamar Valley
Occupation – Retired agronomist and extension person with a passion for working with soil and water (irrigation) to support our farmers manage the intensification of our farming systems in an efficient and effective way, as we add more water with the expansion of irrigation schemes across the State.
How did you become involved in the Rural Industry? – At the end of year 12 of school I headed off to Queensland Agricultural College at Gatton, and gained a Degree in Horticultural Technology, a love of growing crops, and some lifelong friendships. As a fresh-faced young woman at the end of 1982, I entered the wonderful world of agriculture and started my amazing and rewarding career. I started work in SE-Qld and by July 1986 I had arrived in Tasmania and where better to be working, with my interest in managing water and soil.
What do you love about being a member of TWIA? – ? I look forward to the friendships and connections with like-minded women. I look forward to mentoring and supporting other women, particularly the young women coming along. We all have stories to share and the ability to support one another.
Jeanette Reader - Treasurer
Joined TWiA – I started with TWIA in 1985, with Quamby group.
Location – Since leaving the farm in 2020 I have moved to Youngtown. Our son and his wife have taken over our Angus cows and I still like to know how they are going.
Regional Group - I am lucky enough to be part of the Meander Valley group and love catching up with members new and old.
How did you become involved in the Rural Industry? – We started farming in 1989 at Bishopsbourne. We had a herd of Angus cows for beef breeding. We also cropped poppies, onion and Hemp seeds, fennel and dill for oil. We grew carrots, parsnips, Japanese squash and potatoes. Our son still farms at Westbury, but our farm was sold in 2020.
What do you love about being a member of TWiA? – Ensuring Rural Women are mentored and supported for any role they would like to pursue, in any way. Supporting rural women to be the best they can be.
Email: treasurer@taswomeninag.org
Di Barr - Executive Member and Mentor
Joined TWiA – joined TWiA & the executive committee in Feb 2021
Location - Kayena
Occupation/ involvement in the Rural Industry? - I am not a producer, but I have recently been Team Leader for the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Program. During that time, I came to appreciate the importance of agriculture to economies, community livelihoods and societal wellbeing.
What do you love about being a member of TWIA? - TWIA supports women to network and encourages them to share knowledge and innovations, and importantly, supports women through difficult times & should continue and strengthen this role.
Belinda Hazell - Emeritus Chair
Joined TWiA - Too long ago, I can't remember!
Location - Sandford, Tasmania
Regional Group - Southern
Occupation - Principal Consultant at Optimum Standard
How did you become involved in the Rural Industry? - I lived on a small family farm and worked for an apple export business before living and working on our own mixed horticultural and beef enterprise in the Huon Valley from 1990.
What do you love about being a member of TWIA? - Connections with vibrant women who are passionate and proud of their roles in primary industry. I learn and gain energy from every member I meet.
Caitlin Johnston - Scholarships Officer
Joined TWIA - at the 2024 TWIA AGM
Location - Stowport, Tasmania
Regional Group - North West
Occupation - Living and working on my partners farm
How did you become involved in the industry - A love for all things agriculture and animals
What do you love about being a member of TWIA - To encourage and support women to be themselves and to get into agriculture
Email: scholarship@taswomeninag.org
Amanda Bond - Secretary
Joined TWiA - 2024
Location - Cressy
Regional Group -
Occupation - Farmer, retired maths & science teacher, casual tour guide, researcher (I’m a woman – we do lots of things!)
How did you become involved in the Rural Industry? -
I grew up on a merino sheep farm on Flinders Island. I graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2009 with a combined Bachelor of Law and Business. My working career spans across legal practice, local government and bookkeeping. I now live at Cressy and works with my husband and his parents on their mixed farming operation.
What do you love about being a member of TWIA? -
I am looking forward to advocating for and providing opportunities for women to be involved in, and thrive in the agricultural industry in Tasmania.
Kirsty Dickenson - Treasurer Support
Joined TWiA - I joined TWIA and the executive committee in 2024
Location - Aberdeen, Tasmania
Regional Group - North West
Occupation - Horticulturalist
How did you become involved in the Rural Industry? - I didn’t grow up on a farm but found a career in agriculture through my love of science and the outdoors. I am a horticulturalist in the berry industry, and I enjoy the mixture of business, science, being outside and watching things grow. While we aren’t farmers, my partner Tom and I have a hobby farm on the NW coast.
What do you love about being a member of TWIA? - I was drawn to become a member to connect with like minded women, passionate about agriculture and so joined up in August 2024. The TWIA does a great job empowering women to be the best version of themselves, to reach their potential and to connect with eachother. I have become an executive member because I have been given so many opportunities in my career and I would like to give back to my community and encourge other young women to consider a career in agriculture.
Melissa Edwards - Public Officer
Joined TWiA - 2024
Location - Launceston, Tasmania
Regional Group - Tamar Valley
Occupation - HR & WHS Advisor
How did you become involved in the Rural Industry? - Raised on a cattle farm in rural Victoria, at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, I loved life on the land and thrived in our small community. After finishing schooling I left the farm, shifted into the corporate world, and worked my way across Australia using my skills in HR to advocate for diversity and supporting equal opportunity. I spent a decade living in outback WA which greatly expanded my appreciation for agriculture, rural life and the challenges faced by remote communities and the people living in them, particularly women. In early 2023 I was fortunate to relocated to Tasmania and return to farming with an assignment as caretaker on a small sheep farm.
What do you love about being a member of TWIA? - Although I no longer reside on farm my passion for farming and rural life remains as strong as ever. I am proud to join TWiA in promoting and supporting the important contribution of women in the agricultural sector in Tasmania and more broadly, and I look forward to the valuable connections we make along the way.
Melissa Higgins - Executive Member
Joined TWiA - 2024
Location - Smithton, Tasmania
Regional Group - North West
Occupation - Managing cattle Farm in North West Tasmania
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How did you become involved in the Rural Industry? - I have been in agriculture my whole life. I am extremely passionate about food production in Australia and love our industry.
What do you love about being a member of TWIA? - The role of TWiA is extremely important, helping, promoting and supporting all women in the agriculture field.
Rosalie Rayner - Communications Officer
Joined TWiA - 2024
Location - Sheffield
Regional Group - North West
Occupation - Field officer /Farmer / small business owner
How did you become involved in the Rural Industry? -
I was lucky enough to have always lived on the land, I grew up on a mixed farming operation on the northwest coast.
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I now live on my own farm with my husband and 3 daughters where we run beef cattle and a trucking business carting agricultural produce.
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I have worked in agriculture for over 20 years starting in sales and now working as a field officer, I couldn’t imagine not working in agriculture, I have such a passion for the industry.
What do you love about being a member of TWIA? -
I have only just become a member of TWIA but am looking forward to working with women that are just as passionate about the industry as myself.
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Agriculture can be very challenging; I want to help provide the support and encouragement women need to succeed in this industry.
Our Honour Roll
Outstanding Contributor Awards
Marcus Oldham Scholarship Recipients
2012 Joan Field
2012 Ruth Paterson
2012 Jan Richardson
2012 Sheryl Rockliff
2014 Cheryl McCartie
2014 Maureen Holland
2014 Belinda Hazell
2018 Annette Reed
2018 Rosie McKinnon
2018 Bev Phelan
2021 Ella Anderson, Mandy Cooper,
Larna Pitigglio & Samantha Sullivan
2022 Rae Wardlaw, Deb Morice &
Jenny French
2023 Jo Tate & Kaye Jestrimski
2024 Libby Taylor & Liese Fearman
1997 Jane Reid
1998 Jeanette Reader & Allison Clark
1999 Heather Rogers & Katherine Bayles
2000 Jackie Langton & Holly Terry-Ware
2001 Christine Binning & Carolyn Gale
2002 Jayne Badcock & Anne French
2003 Rose Pasenen & Sally Pearce
2004 Glenda Wootton & Cheryl McCartie
2005 Carol Grey & Sally Murfet
2006 Michelle Walker, & Anne Ashbolt
2007 Rosie Mackinnon
2008 Maureen Holland & Sue Martin
2009 Jo Nichols & Carmen Eastley
2010 Janine Richardson
2011 Annette Reed & Kylie Rattray
2012 Aleta Jones
2013 Deb Morice & Steph Patterson
2014 Rhonda Spencer & Anna Terry
2015 Josie Archer & Ashley Hobbins
2016 Robyn Bergersen & Sophie Murfitt
2017 Samantha Sullivan & Emma Nightingale
2018 Shannon Barwick & Taylor Franklin-Smith
2019 Rebekah Frankcombe & Chelsea Rayner
2021 Lesley Pyecroft, Ashley Downie & Rachel Gill
2022 Hannah de Bomford & Joanne Jones
2023 Keeley Lester & Katelyn Petrie
2024 Jemma Walters, Stacy Cresswell & Callie Barber
Rural Women's Award -
TWiA Encouragement Award
Rural Women's Award -
TWiA Development Award
2009 Carolyn Nichols
2010 Odette Lennane
2011 Annette Reed
2012 Sue Martin
2013 Carol Bracken
2014 Christie McLeod
2015 Christine Mann
2016 Sally Murfet
2017 Heather Cosgriff
2019 Anita Long
2020 Louise Morris
2021 Not awarded due to Covid-19 Pandemic
2022 Sally Murfett
2023 Belle Binder
2024 Emily Armstrong
2018 Ana Pimenta
2019 Sarah Cole
2020 Robyn Eversole & Celia Leverton
2021 Not awarded due to Covid-19 Pandemic
2022 Kate Field
2023 Kitana Mansell & Tamar Cordover
2024 Tamar Cordover Pritchard
I-LEAD Leadership Program
2023 Lieselotte Fearman, Alysha Allan, Anna Cotton, Cassie Tickner-Smith & Emma Nightingale
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Enable Leadership Program
2023 Shaelyn Rockliff & Makaylah Lester
2024 Dominique Bowen Butchart &
Shanelle Percy
