Core Committee Wider Committee
Core Committee
Di Dowrick
President
Charleville
Di took on Presidency of CCLD in 2020. “I find it very fulfilling to be a part of a committee with such commitment & passion to an event. Witnessing the impact of the weekend on all the participants is very rewarding as well.”
Women living in remote Australia are faced with many challenges due to the isolating distances. However, Di has recognises how “the landscape, way of life and the resilience of the women and connection between people (even though the distance may be great) is remarkable.”
Di supports the importance for events like CCLD for isolated women. “Women spend all year looking after families, husbands as well as their role in the management of properties and events like CCLD give them a weekend solely for themselves to recharge.”
CCLD is about “inspiration in isolation”, so where does Di draw on for her inspiration? “From seeing the enjoyment and success of the event by all participants inspires me to try to make our next event even a little better. Also working with such a dynamic group of women on the committee is inspiration alone.”
Mandy Travers
Financial, Partnership & Sponsorship Co-ordinator
Gowrie Junction
Mandy is a long time Channel Country Lady, having grown up on a sheep and cattle property near Eulo, and now operating an earthmoving business in the Paroo & Quilpie Shires, with a cattle property in near Quilpie.
Thargomindah in 2019 was Mandy’s first CCLD event, which she absolutely loved.
Mandy was inspired to join the Channel Country Ladies Day team after seeing first-hand how much the event benefited the ladies of the West. “They are just so deserving,” she says. “I really wanted to be involved and help the committee out where I can.”
Mandy enjoyed seeing the Channel Country Ladies come together in Quilpie, and said the vibe of the event is always so exciting. “It’s great to see it all unfold after a year of planning!”
Sarah Quihampton
Program Team Lead
Charleville
Our Program Team Lead, Sarah Quihampton, moved to Charleville seven years ago with her husband.
“Even though I’m a bit of a ‘townie’, when I first moved out to Charleville I felt very isolated, lonely and lacking self-identity; two months later I attended my first CCLD event that offered me the chance to have a weekend away to meet other women, have fun, challenge myself and be inspired,” she says.
Sarah now feels as though she can repay the favour and contribute something back to the wonderful community event by being a part of the committee.
She’s attended four events, with Eromanga being her all-time favourite.
Kristy McGregor
Grants Liaison & Evaluation Lead
Manakau, New Zealand
“I grew up in Camden, on the edge of Sydney. I spent a few years in the Channel Country. Now I live on a farm in New Zealand… but like to think I have a foot still in western Queensland (part of my heart is definitely there)!”
“My role has changed over the past six years from leading the Committee to doing the media role, and now as Grants Liaison and Evaluation Lead, but it’s still as much about making the event continue year after year. It includes grant writing and thinking up artistic offerings, amongst many other things.”
“I’ve been involved in Channel Country Ladies Day since its inception. I remain committed to the event years on because when I see the smiles on women’s faces, when I hear the laughter, and when I feel the sense of togetherness that being together with 200 other women on the edge of the desert brings, I know this is a worthy, valuable thing. It’s worth every amount of the significant volunteer hours and financial support that goes into making it happen… even when turning up at a dusty racetrack a few days before the event one is met with an overwhelming sense of what have I got myself into?!”
Annabel Tully
Venue & Logistics Team Lead
Quilpie
Annabel lives on a property west of Quilpie and is our Venue and Logistics Team Lead. Annabel’s first Channel Country Ladies Day was back in 2014, and loved it so much she’s been to another three.
“I live in the Channel Country and know how much joy this weekend brings to the participants,” said Annabel.
“I have really benefited from the event over the years, including one year when I really appreciated a scholarship to attend. Now that my kids are at boarding school, I would like to give back to the event by continuing to assist in the creation of such an iconic, much needed and appreciated event.”
Dale Brown
Services Team Lead
Athol
Our Services Team Lead, Dale, and her team look after all of our beauty, health, information and market stalls, ensuring our ladies at the event can shop and be pampered to their hearts content.
Dale grew up in Tibooburra and has lived and worked on stations in the channel country for 40 years. Now living in Athol near Toowoomba, Dale has always been a big fan of the Channel Country Ladies Day event, having attended six and loving every one of them.
Dale says it’s hard to pick a “favourite” Channel Country Ladies Day; they all bring excitement and joy.
“I love the excitement of catching up with dear friends, setting up camp and getting all dressed up on the Friday night”, she says. “The comedian is always a big hit. There is nothing like a good belly laugh, and that is exactly what you get! I always go home feeling happy and refreshed.”
Dale joined our committee in 2021, keen to give something back after many years enjoying the event.
“I love helping bring together services to the beautiful women in the outback and to give my time to this amazing team of ladies and to work alongside of them is an absolute privilege,”
“I am looking forward to getting out to Windorah and working with the CCLD team to provide some inspiration, wellness and happiness to the ladies of the outback.”
Hannah Leu
Media and Marketing Co-ordinator
Haly Creek
Our Media and Marketing Co-ordinator Hannah lives in Haly Creek in the South Burnett region of Queensland.
2021 was Hannah’s first Channel Country Ladies Day, but says it definitely won’t be the last. “Being a part of the committee I know how much effort goes into making the event a success for the women of the Channel Country,” she says.
“I was blown away by the energy of the weekend. It’s a great mix of cultural and development experiences that gives participants an opportunity to take away something special away from each day.”
After working in the Queensland agricultural industry most of her career, Hannah was keen to join the committee to connect with and support rural and remote women.
“It’s great to be a part of an iconic event that brings such joy to the women of the Channel Country, and to work alongside a passionate team with a great cause.”