Meet Our Team
Jeanette Gellard
Convenor and Registration Coordinator convenorTWC@wotl.com.au registrationTWC@wotl.com.au |
Jeanette realised early in her career that her passion lay with connecting and working with people in regional and rural communities. Her initial qualifications in agricultural science and business administration (MBA) have been complemented over the years with further study and training in stakeholder engagement, evaluation, facilitation, and workplace resilience. These have suited her shift towards a more people-centred practice.
Jeanette is highly regarded in the agricultural and environmental sectors across Australia. In 2001, she was the recipient of the RIRDC Rural Woman’s Award and in 2003 Jeanette was recognised for her work in the rural sector by being awarded the Australian Government’s Centenary Medal. Jeanette loves connecting and working with women across many sectors, both professionally and creatively and has been involved with the organisation of each Thriving Women Conference. She is excited to be taking on the role of Convenor for TW2022. Jeanette lives on Kangaroo Island with her husband and has recently become a ‘townie’ after selling their small farming property near Smith Bay and moving in Kingscote. Still getting used to life in town, Jeanette is enjoying the opportunity to support the local cafes on her morning walks more regularly! |
|
Toni Duka grew up on a farming property on Kangaroo Island and has always had a keen interest in nature and wildlife. This passion led her to study Natural Resource Management, and then onto various roles with National Parks in this field including time on the Eyre Peninsula. However, her heart led her back home, where she lived and worked for ten years, diversifying into community development and sustainable tourism. At the core of this work has always been building relationships and engaging local communities.
Life with her Husband and two children is great and has given them the opportunity to live and work in the Murraylands for five years before settling in Millicent, where they currently call home. Toni says that whilst moving has been challenging, it has also provided a great opportunity to meet so many people, have great experiences, and to really get out of her comfort zone. She has run her own business since 2013, consulting in the fields of Natural Resource Management, Community Development and Tourism across Regional South Australia. She has also held positions on a vast array of committee’s and Boards. Toni is passionate about building capacity, meaningful engagement, building relationships and having a good time whilst getting the job done! |
|
A passion for developing people, communities and organisations is why Sally Klose is excited to join the project management team for the Thriving Women 2022 conference.
Sally believes in the ability of communities to solve their own community problems and remain healthy and grow because of their people and has been privileged to work with many communities across the Limestone Coast. A belief that good governance is the foundation of organisational effectiveness and her passion for community led Sally to local government, leading Council’s governance, communications, community engagement and community services. Previously, working in the community philanthropy sector, as the Executive Officer of the Stand Like Stone Foundation, Sally received an Award for Excellence from Australian Community Philanthropy for “outstanding achievements and contributions to philanthropy through the Community Foundation movement”. Sally has recently established Sally Klose Strategic Solutions focusing on practical business advise, customised project and event management and facilitation, community and stakeholder engagement, communications and common sense governance advise. Sally and her husband Chris operate a farming business in Lucindale focusing on prime lamb production. Sally’s experience is backed by a Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Management, Company Directors Course Diploma and the IAP2 Certificate in Engagement. |
|
Lisa Schulz is a farmer, graphic designer and school support officer from Central Yorke Peninsula. She lives with her husband and three children on their farm at Sandilands. Lisa works together with her husband on their broad acre farm where she provides support in farm management and everything else farm life. Lisa also works at a local school, providing learning support to students and has trained to provide specific support to children with dyslexia. Lisa established and developed her own online graphic design business which she has managed since 2012. Always looking for an opportunity to learn, Lisa was a participant in WOTL’s 2019/2020 Stepping Into Leadership program and enjoyed connecting with other women from regional South Australia. Passionate about supporting and creating opportunities for rural women to thrive in their communities, Lisa is looking forward to embarking on her journey as a committee member for Thriving Women 2022.
|
|
Lucy Blenkiron has grown up on a grazing property in the Barossa Valley, where she is able to combine study, community life and work in the local area. Recently graduating from Faith Lutheran College, Tanunda, she was awarded the college Dux and is now studying a combined Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) double degree at the University of Adelaide.
Lucy has aspirations to work as a consultant with family farm businesses with their succession planning, financial planning and composing legal structures within the business framework, following the completion of her degree. Currently, Lucy part-owns two small businesses, producing bags/clutches and a miniature goat stud. Her skills marketing and social media have contributed to their success. She has also competed for Australia in Mounted Games (equestrian) in four countries and has taken on a number of coaching and volunteering roles throughout her riding career. Lucy is an advocate for young people and in particular young women in the agriculture sector and hopes to contribute some youthful ideas to the conference committee. |
|
With a desire to support women in agribusiness and rural communities, Kim Blenkiron has worked in community engaged for most of her career. During this time she has been engaged by a number of farming system groups including Ag KI, SPAA, Partners in Grain and WoTL.
Currently the Executive Officer for WoTL allows Kim to pursue her love for agriculture and supporting women in agribusiness to build skills and networks to achieve their goals. Kim has also made a contribution to many other groups including the SA Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board, Advisory Board of Agriculture, SA Mounted Games Association and Barossa Pony Club. In 2011 Kim was awarded the South Australian Rural Women’s Award for her commitment and involvement in the agricultural sector. This is the third Thriving Women Conference Kim has been a part of and she looks forward to working with the TW202 Conference Team to create another unique and amazing event. Kim farms with her husband in the Barossa Valley, where they run a grazing property. |
