LOCALS Meghan Gehrig and Meagan Jeffries are excited about Wangaratta’s first Rural Women’s Day event to be held on October 7.
Rural Women’s Day is a not-for-profit community organisation that connects rural and regional women through community, collaboration and celebration.
This year Rural Women’s Day will welcome more than 1000 attendees to 10 locations across Australia.
Ms Gehrig and Ms Jeffries have worked together for the past 12 months securing the private garden of the Bishops Lodge to host a health and wellness brunch that will follow with an evening celebration of rural and regional women at a gala dinner at Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway.
Rural Women’s Day, Wangaratta will attract local and interstate travellers for their opportunity to connect and hear from the incredible line up of guest speakers.
Attendees will start the brunch with a HIIT class from Kate Loechel from United Body & Soul or a yoga class with Julie Connolly from Find Balance then connect over brunch and hear from chief executive officer of Sustainable Table, Jane Miles and founder of Villo Retreat, Alex Harris.
At the gala dinner, guests will be treated to a three-course meal, with special guest Grace McLeod, farmer who hails from Western Victoria and who now calls the Top End home.
Speaking also is Zoe Carter, a positive influencer for young people in agriculture.
There will be live entertainment by country music artist Ell Regan.
It was sheer curiosity that led Ms Jeffries to take part in the Rural Women’s Day in Nagambie in 2022.
Having heard about the organisation and wanting to know more about it, she decided to go on a road trip and experience the day for herself.
It was there she met the founder of Rural Women’s Day Jackie Elliott and began networking with other like-minded women.
Ms Jeffries thoroughly enjoyed the day, and on her way home rang Ms Gehrig to discuss hosting an event in their local area.
Ms Jeffries believed Wangaratta would be the perfect location and knew how beneficial it would be for the local community - particularly those who lived on the farms and small towns that make up the Rural City.
Because connection matters.
That was the underlying message shared by Rural Women’s Day – North East Victoria co-hosts, Meagan Jeffries, and Meghan Gehrig.
Although their experiences growing up were different, both women know and value the importance of social connection.
For more information and purchase tickets, visit https://www.ruralwomensday.com.au/shop.