Rural Women’s Day Connects Women Across Australia

Founded in 2019, the organisation hosts regular social events to combat isolation among women in the agricultural sector.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Women’s Issues

Bold vector editorial illustration of a long wooden dining table set with wildflowers in a rural landscape, representing community connection. — The Rural Women’s Day organization has hosted 50 gatherings across Australia since 2019, providing communal support networks for women in agriculture. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe organized social events are effective at reducing isolation in your local community?

Jackie Elliott founded the non-profit Rural Women's Day to help women in agriculture build community through guest talks and dinners. Since its inaugural 2019 event in Dunkeld, the organisation has held 50 gatherings across mainland Australia.

Why it matters

The initiative specifically targets the social isolation often experienced by women living in remote areas and working within the agricultural industry. By providing dedicated spaces for connection, the programme helps build local support networks for participants.

The initiative has connected more than 5,000 women across 50 events since 2019. Events are designed to rotate through regions every couple of years, with host sites including Rockhampton, Narromine, Young, and Nagambie.

The players

Jackie Elliott

She is the founder of Rural Women's Day, a non-profit organisation based in Byaduk that focuses on connecting women in the agricultural sector.

Rural Women's Day

This non-profit organisation works to reduce social isolation by hosting social events and dinners for women working in agriculture across Australia.

The details

Founder Jackie Elliott, based in Byaduk, organises these events to feature guest speakers alongside communal dinners. The programme aims to bridge social gaps for women by travelling to different regions throughout the year.

The first Rural Women’s Day event was held in Dunkeld in 2019.
Jackie Elliott had her first child in 2025.
Events took place in Rockhampton, Narromine, Young, Nagambie, Moama, and Dunkeld during 2026.

Culture Shift

This effort counters the ongoing decline of rural community services as documented by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal. It reflects a broader shift towards grassroots networking as a way to maintain social cohesion in sparsely populated areas.

Participants can expect to attend local dinners and talks aimed at building personal and professional networks. The organisation rotates its event schedule to ensure different regional communities, such as those near Nagambie or Young, receive regular visits.

The takeaway

Social programmes in agriculture rely on consistent regional engagement to effectively combat isolation. Residents in rural areas can monitor the organisation's event rotation to identify upcoming opportunities for participation in their local community.