Breakfast with a side of philanthropy? This Country to Canberra event sounds like a delicious way to start your day

Posted on 6 November, 2024

Empowering young rural women and non-binary people to reach their leadership potential – that’s the goal of the award-winning not-for-profit Country to Canberra.

And after 10 years of supporting the next generation of rural and regional leaders, for the first time ever, the public is invited to attend their flagship Powerful Women’s Breakfast event on Tuesday 19 November.

Bringing young women and non-binary people from rural, regional, and remote Australia together with keynote speakers, sponsors, and industry leaders to connect over breakfast, it’s a unique opportunity to support Country to Canberra’s fight to decrease the negative impacts of geographical inequalities, and gender inequality.

“Hannah Wandel founded the organisation in 2014, after identifying the extensive additional barriers that young women and non-binary people from regional, rural, and remote areas were facing to accessing opportunities in comparison to their metropolitan peers,” explains Country to Canberra CEO Pauline Siteaud.

“Country to Canberra was founded to decrease the negative impacts of geographical inequalities, and gender inequality, including the fact that confidence of Australian girls drops from 56 per cent at age 10, to 27 per cent at adulthood.”

The breakfast runs from 7 am until 9 am at the Hyatt Hotel, where attendees can meet with the winners of the Country to Canberra Leadership Competition, connect over shared experiences, and be encouraged to pursue their passions before they tour Parliament House and meet our nation’s leaders.

And with every cent of your $60 ticket funding the 2024 Power Trip to Canberra, breakfast with a side of philanthropy sounds like a delicious way to start your day.

With 15 incredible young leaders coming to the nation’s capital to receive advocacy training to strengthen their leadership skills and potential, Pauline says that money raised will ensure the winners have a powerful, unforgettable experience.

“Each year, Country to Canberra receives over a hundred applications to participate in the Power Trip, which tells us there is a strong demand from this community to access programs and initiatives,” she explains.

“It’s vital in ensuring we provide equal access to opportunities to our country’s young people from rural, regional, and remote Australia. Our program helps nurture these wonderful young people’s attributes into practical, sustainable actions for the benefit of their local communities, and Australia. We ensure they see their regional background as an asset and not a liability.”

Excited to invite the public to celebrate the 2024 Leadership Competition winners and the 10th anniversary of the Powerful Women’s Breakfast, Pauline says that it’s also a rare opportunity to connect with politicians, CEOs, community leaders, and trailblazers.

“For two hours, you are in a room full of inspirational, driven, powerful women and non-binary people connecting and sharing over experiences, interests, and values – there really isn’t a better way to kick off a Tuesday in the nation’s capital,”

“People can expect to connect with community leaders over shared values and interests, network with like-minded people, and listen to our amazing Keynote Speaker, Cathy McGowan OA speak on leadership, power, and influence.”

Promising to be equal parts inspiring and empowering, ticket sales close on Thursday 7 November, with limited spots available.

But for those who miss out, there are plenty of other ways to support young women and non-binary people from rural, regional, and remote Australia.

“Amplify their voices. Provide them opportunities where and when you can,” says Pauline.

“Listen to their views, with an open mind and willingness to accept they might have some of the solutions. Support organisations like Country to Canberra to continue empowering more young people.”

Image supplied.