Local business and produce was the focus of the South East Premium Wheat Growers Association (SEPWA)’s 2017 Ladies Day.
Women from the region gathered at the Esperance Civic Centre on Friday, for a day of inspiring, humorous and informative speeches.
Condingup farmer Angela Hill opened the proceeding, giving attendees an insight in to each presentation through out the event.
Ms Hill said the SEPWA committee were glad to focus this years event around local produce.
“Our region has a lot to offer. I’m excited by what locals are doing here,” Ms Hill said.
She said the push to support local particularly resonated with the grower group.
The overarching local produce theme was complimented by this year’s guest speaker Anna Gare.
Hailing from Denmark Ms Gare is a well-known chef and television personality.
Her recipes were put to the test on the day by local ladies Michelle Barrett and Sonya Hennessy, who mirrored ingredients and techniques from Ms Gare’s latest cook book.
Ms Gare was quizzed by ABC radio presenter Tara Delandgrafft in a one on one interview in-front of attendees.
In her opening address Ms Hill also took time to express condolences to the Henderson family, whose daughter Alexandra tragically died when a large bull struck her into the fence railing in Dalyup.
The event coincided with the 19-year-old’s funeral.
“We would like you to observe with us a minute silence as we offer Ally’s family our condolences,” Ms Hill said to attendees.
The first speaker of the day was Tara Vermeersch who provided an update on SEPWA’s latest activities.
A founding member of Esperance Farm Office Management Group (EFOM) Ms Vermeersch announced she would step down from chair of the group.
Ms Vermeersch said it was time to give another dedicated member a turn and said she would like to spend more time with her children.
Highlights from the SEPWA update included the groups goal to coordinate two tours to south-east Asia in 2018 and their endeavours to collaborate with the Pulse Association of the South East (PASE) Inc.
PACE are a grower group that facilitates pulse crop production, research and development, accumulation and marketing in the region.
Ms Vermeersch said SEPWA had 37 trials this year and that they remained the core of the grower group’s business.
Among other aims she listed engagement with younger growers and continued collaboration with other groups as areas the committee looked to improve throughout the year.
Other local speakers included Esperance Psychology’s Helen Devernish who discussed the importance of mindfulness, Condingup farmer Marie Folwer who talked about her move from Ireland 16 years ago and Cascade farmer Marcella Roberts who closed the event.
Other key note speakers included CBH group’s Brianna Peake who discussed leadership in agriculture, The Lupin Co.’s Rhiannon Birch who shared her views on the pulse’s potential as a “super food” and Rabobank Tarin Rock’s Claire Gray talked about diversity and inclusion.
The event commenced with a sundowner sponsored by Plumgrove and CBH.
