NSW Rural Women's Gathering

Group of women in audience at Rural Women's Gathering

We are delighted to bring to the women of NSW a history of the NSW Rural Women's Gatherings from 1993 to 2023, encompassing 30 years of celebrations in the regions. The NSW Rural Women’s Gathering (the Gathering) is an annual event that takes place in a different NSW rural location each year. The Gathering seeks to provide rural women with support, information and skills to enable them to address the myriad of challenges they face as a result of living in a rural location in Australia. Each Gathering reflects the unique culture, talent, industry, tourism and environment of the host community.

The first NSW Rural Women’s Gathering was held in Orange in 1993. Since then, the Gathering has been held in different locations around rural NSW. Now 30 years later, the Gathering has come full circle held in Orange once again, for the 2023 Rural Women's Gathering. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the RWN reflected on 30 years of Rural Women’s Gatherings and the incredible committees who made it all possible and created a history book. The history book titled 'The NSW Rural Women's Network: 30 Years Strong - A History of the Rural Women's Gathering', was launched during NSW Women's Week 2024 at the Armidale International Women's Day event. 

Registrations have been reopened for those wishing to receive a hardcopy version of the book, while stocks last. A digital version is available to download below.

Register now for your copy of the Rural Women's Gathering History Book

* T&C's apply to receive your copy. You must be following the Rural Women's Network on social media or the Rural Women's Network newsletter to be eligible.


'The NSW Rural Women's Network: 30 Years Strong - A History of the Rural Women's Gathering' Preview of selected pages

Front cover of 'The Rural Women's Network: 30 Years Strong - A History of the Rural Women's Gathering' featuring Aboriginal artwork.

 

Preview from 'The Rural Women's Network: 30 Years Strong - A History of the Rural Women's Gathering' - Wentworth Rural Women's Gathering 2010
Preview from 'The Rural Women's Network: 30 Years Strong - A History of the Rural Women's Gathering' - Broken Hill Rural Women's Gathering 2016

 

Preview from 'The Rural Women's Network: 30 Years Strong - A History of the Rural Women's Gathering' - Forbes Rural Women's Gathering 2020-22

The NSW Rural Women's Gathering is an annual event for women from regional, rural and remote areas of NSW to come together to celebrate, connect, network and learn. The Gatherings are for all rural women including Aboriginal women; women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; women with a disability; young women; older women; LGBTQIA+ women; mining women; women in the fishing, forestry and primary industries; women who live in regional cities, towns and villages; and coastal women. 

The 2023 NSW Rural Women's Gathering was held in Orange, NSW and was a great success, with women attending to hear from inspiring speakers, participate in creative workshops and have a fantastic weekend away with like-minded women. 

The host for the 2024 NSW Rural Women's Gathering has been announced as Harden Murrumburrah, NSW in the Hilltops region. More details to follow soon. 

Please email us at ruralwomensnetwork@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au if you have any questions regarding the 2024 Rural Women's Gathering.

Top of page