QRRRWN Sets Its Sights On Roma

20160801 QRRRWN State Conference team — The Maranoa team organising QRRRWN’s 23rd annual State Conference, which is being held in Roma in October (Photo: QRRRWN)

August 1, 2016

A contingent of women from the South Burnett will be heading to Roma in October.

They’ll be joining hundreds of others from across Queensland for the 23rd annual Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network (QRRRWN) State Conference, which is being held on October 6-8.

A volunteer group of women from the Maranoa will be hosting this year’s conference, which changes its location every year to reduce the impact of geographical barriers.

Local committee member Brigid Price said she was excited to be part of the team bringing the conference to Roma.

“QRRRWN is presenting our community with an amazing opportunity to showcase the Maranoa region, as well as bringing inspirational speakers and talented workshop presenters to Roma,” she said.

“We want to encourage as many women as possible to invest in themselves. QRRRWN was developed to build the networks and capacity of all rural women, and this conference does exactly that.

“Importantly, this means everyone is most welcome to attend – not just QRRRWN members, but any woman with an interest in self-development, business ideas, community resilience and leadership or even just wanting to connect with positive people,” Brigid said.

Maranoa Regional Council Mayor Tyson Golder said he was also excited this year’s conference is being hosted in Roma.

“With the Maranoa home to a great number of individuals passionate about the rural way of life, I am delighted that QRRRWN has selected Roma as this year’s conference location,” Cr Golder said.

“I encourage delegates to stay a little longer and enjoy some of the unique experiences and activities we have to offer, and wish those organising the event the very best of luck with their planning.”

Given the hit to Roma’s local economy in recent years due to the drought and the impact of industry withdrawals from the region, the committee are determined to bring a positive spotlight to local towns and an economic boost for the three days of the conference.

QRRRWN President Alison Mobbs said Roma was a hub for many people in the Maranoa, so it would act as a wonderful showcase for the region.

“The benefit of the QRRRWN name means that we are able to attract high calibre speakers, workshop presenters and trade displays,” Alison said.

“And now. more than ever, it is important to celebrate the role of women in rural, regional and remote Australia.”

The QRRRWN is a largely volunteer run non-profit organisation with a 22-year history of capacity building and raising the profile of rural women.

Highlights of this year’s State Conference program include:

Plenary sessions including keynote and spotlight speakers as well as panel sessions on the topics of confidence, technology and resilience in life and business.