International Women’s Day at The Exchange was a sold-out affair, where a night under the country stars was spent celebrating some of Narrabri’s own brightest women superstars.
The council event in collaboration with The Exchange, Narrabri, featured a panel of four inspiring guest speakers set against the building’s iconic brick backdrop on Wednesday, March 6, and there wasn’t an empty seat in the fairy-lit courtyard.
International Women’s Day at The Exchange | Gallery – The Courier (narrabricourier.com.au)
Ladies in attendance were donned in an array of stunning frocks and sipping delicious cocktails offered by Josephine’s before enjoying a smashing Relish Catering dinner.
The clever and colourful commentary of Ali Smith and Katie Watson from the Bush Wanderlust Podcast series provided the perfect accompaniment to the evening, and they even wore matching pink cowgirl hats.
Panelists Shona Gawel, Bec Artis, Mackenzie Knox, and now Sydney-based Jane Lampe brought diverse experiences across agriculture, small business, and sports as well as their many individual accomplishments as some of Narrabri’s leading country women.
Shona Gawel, chief executive officer at Grain Growers shared her 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, membership services, and media relations to the conversation and her passion for encouraging women to step into Ag leadership roles.
The self-described bogan from southwest Sydney is passionate about spotlighting country communities and the champions who make them a great place to live.
Australian golfer Bec Artis who turned pro at the age of 19, flipped the switch on her post-career by becoming a local hospitality legend, sharing the entire journey with husband Geoff.
Bec talked about how the duo worked together as husband and wife, from their 11 years on the circuit when Geoff acted as her caddy, and her time settling into small-town life.
Florist-extraordinaire Jane Lampe has strong Narrabri roots and came back to share her business journey to starting a blooming floristry business named Floreat (which in Latin means ‘Let flourish”, based on Liverpool Lane, Darlinghurst.
She is regularly listed as one of Sydney’s top florists on Broadsheet and Time Out and a big advocate for local-grown flowers but is also considered a beloved local legend, alongside mum Annie Lampe.
Jane shared what inspires her passion for small business, her love for locally-grown flowers, and what her country background provides to a blossoming floristry business in the big smoke.
Last, but not least, our 17-year-old netball umpire superstar, Mackenzie Knox has barely finished graduating from Narrabri High School but already shows an impressive list of achievements from her passion for the sport.
She is the highest badged umpire for Narrabri Netball, Northern Inland Academy of Sports 1st Umpire Athlete, and the recipient of the 2023 Breakthrough Umpire Award.
She is determined to advocate for First Nations people moving through Elite Netball pathways and is currently doing so as a Netball NSW development officer.
The evening’s chat was off to a great start, after stellar introductions, and questions surrounding career pivots, major influences, and what drives an individual’s passion for small business.
The personalised questions suited each guest panelist’s career trajectory and provided a local connection to businesses and country living.
Jane told us more about her beloved childhood garden where her favourite Lavender and Jasmine flowers grew, and how it inspired her own natural look and floral aesthetic.
She praised her down-to-earth country background for helping her stay grounded for big events and said there was more to life than having the perfect white roses.
Mackenzie Knox enlightened the crowd on the skills of being an umpire and having confidence and fierceness when making your calls.
Shona was encouraged to put her hand up for her current CEO job after a rural woman on the Grain Growers’ board questioned why she was hesitant to apply, and embarrassed if she didn’t get it.
The advice that stuck with her was: What’s the worst that can happen if you don’t? If you were a man, you would be putting your hand up for the role, so why not give it a shot?
She also enlightened us with a fun trivial fact that there are no longer as many men named John as there are women in CEO roles, which was lightheartedly applauded by the entire gathering.
The most impactful statement of the night came perfectly at the close of the panel session when Shona was asked how, as she does as CEO leading a team, we can break down barriers for women in country agricultural communities.
She took to the mic and delivered the statement: “There are plenty of women who can put their hand up for any role across agriculture, so if your business is not getting a funnel of people applying, then there’s something wrong at your own doorstep.
“It’s not because women aren’t good enough, there needs to be a positive environment that encourages women to put their hand up for these roles.”
The evening was concluded with fun and games, and the audience was invited to share their own questions with the panel.
When asked what everyone’s “hype up” songs were, the ladies provided excellent responses which we will all be adding to our own Powerhouse Women playlists.
Bec Artis: Wagon Wheel, by Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor.
Shona Gawel: Flowers, Miley Cyrus.
Mackenzie Knox: Never Say Never, Justin Bieber.
Jane Lampe: 2DayFM, or when Taylor Swift was in town: 2TayFM.
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