Central West Inspired Women capped off a vibrant year of events with their latest speed-networking evening, held on Thursday 6 November at the charming Milbrey Kitchen & Store in Oberon. More than 35 local women attended, representing a wide range of businesses — from home-based start-ups to established shopfronts — all eager to connect, share, and be inspired.
The evening’s panel discussion, moderated by Regional Development Australia Central West’s Lynda Smart and Charlotte , set the tone for a warm and engaging night. Guest speakers Simmone Logue (Essington Park), Grace Fowler (Reckless Brewing Co) and Jill O’Grady (RedGround Truffle Farm) offered candid insights into their careers, challenges and triumphs. Their stories highlighted the depth, diversity and innovation flourishing among women in business across the Central West.
The concept of the event was simple but powerful: create a welcoming space for businesswomen — and those aspiring to be — to broaden their networks, workshop ideas, explore mentorship, and spark new opportunities. Speed networking, designed around short, guided conversations, allowed attendees to meet a wide mix of people in a relaxed and supportive format. Whether participants were seasoned professionals, new to town, or at the very beginning of a business idea, the evening delivered genuine connection and plenty of inspiration.
This year’s program was proudly supported by Regional Development Australia Central West, Panorama Business & Financial, and The Milbrey Kitchen & Store. Together, they helped deliver a series of events that reached communities right across the region.
The 2024 Central West Inspired Women calendar included speed-networking sessions in Millthorpe, Parkes, Forbes and Grenfell — the latter three made possible by an Inland Rail grant — and the Oberon Words of Wisdom panel and networking night. In total, 152 women attended these five networking events. Ages spanned from 14 to retirement, with attendees travelling from well outside their home towns. From long-standing locals seeking fresh connections to newcomers wanting to find their place, the mix was broad and the energy unmistakably positive. At least one new business partnership has already formed as a direct result.
In addition to networking nights, the organisation delivered two major events: Financial Empowerment with Mariam Mohammed in Orange, which brought together 48 women for an open and practical discussion about financial literacy, and the second annual CWIW x ANFD Lunch at the Australian National Field Days. The catered luncheon hosted 133 guests and featured guest speaker Whitney Spicer as well as a panel with Dannielle Ford, Alice Byrnes, and Kirsty Evans of Cheney Suthers Lawyers.
It has been a remarkable year for Central West Inspired Women, strengthening connections, confidence and collaboration across the region.
Image credit: Fiona Schofield
