Elders Dubbo held a long lunch event over the weekend to celebrate local rural women, and raise funds for a charity close to their hearts.
L-R Miranda McGufficke, Lyndsey Douglas, Sabrina Graesser, Florance McGufficke, Tasha Hurley, Kate Swain, Emily Sim and Anna Yeo.
International Day of Rural Women is held in October each year to acknowledge and celebrate rural women around the world, and their contribution to agriculture.
For the second year running, the Elders branch in Dubbo organised and hosted an event in recognition of the day, to a warm reception from over 130 attendees. Hosted by renowned MC Lyndsey Douglas, guests were treated to a long lunch and panel session, featuring five trailblazing rural women from varying professions and backgrounds. The panellists were Elders Emms Mooney real estate agent Emily Sim, relationships manager Anna Yeo, occupational therapist Sabrina Graesser, student and ag industry advocate Miranda McGufficke, and On the Box agency representative Tasha Hurley.
This year the event also raised $10,000 for ‘For Her’ charity, an affiliate of White Ribbon Australia, which is run by panellist Anna Yeo.
Elders stud stock sales support officer Florance McGufficke said she is proud to organise an event celebrating the local women who give so much to the community.
“The event is a celebration of all the women who shape us, whether they’re our colleagues, clients or part of our regional communities,” Florance said.
“We want to honour rural women and pay tribute to the significant efforts they make in rural and regional settings, and we feel this event is the perfect way to do this.”
Lyndsey Douglas said she is proud to support such a worthy event and cause.
"This event is the idea of two incredible young women at Elders Dubbo, who are community minded, natural leaders who are forging opportunities in their society and it’s great to be a part of it,” Lyndsey said.
“I’m honoured to be a part of this event. There were 130 women here today celebrating each other and having a great time.”
MC Lyndsey Douglas
Lyndsey became involved in the event through her connection with Florance, who she first met when Florance was crowned 2023 NSW Young Woman of the Year.
“I am involved today because of a remarkable woman I first met at the Sydney Easter Show. She’s 13 years younger than me, and whenever she says, ‘Lyndsey I have an idea and I’d like you to be part of it’, it makes it very hard for me to get out of it!” Lyndsey said.
Fellow Dubbo team member and event co-organiser Kate Swain said the event would not have been possible without the support and generosity of local people and organisations.
“We’d like to take an opportunity to thank our colleagues, clients and the wider rural community for supporting the event so strongly,” Kate said.
“We’d also like to thank the Dubbo Turf Club, Soul Food Narromine and our generous donors for their continued support. We look forward to seeing this event continue to grow annually. See you all in 2025!”
Elders staff and clients also gathered at an event in Orroroo in northern South Australia. Hosted by the 5431 Collective, and with Elders on board as major sponsor, guests enjoyed a long lunch, speeches, panel session and a silent auction in support of the local hospital auxiliary. Speaking at the Orroroo event were media personality Rebecca Morse, ‘First Time Farmer’ Kaitie Nash and founder of Rural Women’s Day charity Jackie Elliot.