The first ever Motherland Conference welcomed more than 250 rural women from around the country to Launceston’s Hotel Grand Chancellor from 1 to 2 March 2024.  

 

Motherland, founded in 2019 by Business Events Tasmania (BET) visionary Stephanie Trethewey, is a national charity that supports rural mums across Australia.  

 

Ms Trethewey, who was named 2024 Australian of the Year for Tasmania, said more than 80 per cent of women on the land attribute isolation and loneliness as the hardest parts of rural motherhood.  

“This will be an event like no other. It’s been designed by rural mums, for rural mums,” she said.  

 

“This conference takes our mission of reducing isolation and enabling meaningful connections to a whole new level.  

 

“We are so excited to have women, and a few men, from around the country joining us to celebrate the incredible role rural mothers play in our community.”  

 

The line-up of speakers included Olympic gold medallist, TV presenter and fifth generation cattle farmer Giaan Rooney, best-selling author and leading parenting educator Maggie Dent, two-time world para surfing champion Sam Bloom and author/journalist Jessica Rowe.  

 

“Even though my children were four and seven when we moved to the farm I feel very strongly about Motherland’s mission,” Ms Rooney said.  

 

“Motherhood is the most difficult thing I have ever done, and it is incredibly important to provide better services and connection for mums living in rural Australia.”  

BET CEO Marnie Craig said the conference would bring together rural mothers and inspirational women whilst contributing to the local economy.  

 

“We are honoured to help facilitate the first ever Motherland Conference, which has been supported by the Business Events Attraction Fund (BEAF),” she said.  

Find out more about Visionary Stephanie Trethewey by visiting the Visionary Page.