Latest News

Facilitating Futures: From OT to Community Catalyst

by Kim | Apr 14, 2025 | Ambassadors, Latest News, Stories of Impact, Thriving Women Conference

Lucy Pedler leads conversations that inspire rural women to make positive changes in their lives, businesses and communities.

As an Ambassador for WoTL (Women Together Learning) on the Eyre Peninsula, the expert facilitator hosts workshops, events and training that connect and empower local women.

It’s a role she relishes – but it’s also a far cry from her early career working in healthcare.

“I started out life as an occupational therapist,” Lucy says. “I studied that after school and worked as an OT for a few years before I moved to the EP with my husband George in 2010. I worked here for a while, but then we started to have a family and over time OT didn’t fit with that stage of my life.”

Looking for a change, the mother-of-three shifted into working alongside George, an agronomist, in their Cummins-based business, George Pedler Ag. “I was doing the admin, finance – all the exciting stuff that women often fall into in a farming or small business,” Lucy jokes.

A Women in Ag course through the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board gave her additional skills, and then connecting with Ag Consulting Co’s Jeanette Long ignited the spark of a new idea.

“She put me in touch with WoTL and said ‘you should get some things happening over here’. She really took me under her wing and invited me to facilitate workshops and events with her. I learnt so much from her.”

Lucy Pedler presenting at Thriving Women 2022 Conference

Above: Lucy co-leading the closing session at Thriving Women 2024, and at home with her family, right.

WoTL’s inaugural Thriving Women Conference was also a turning point.

“I went to the first Thriving Women Conference and that was a catalyst for me. It got me thinking about making a change and starting facilitation work. I realised that there was a real cross over with some of my skill set and I could do something in that space.

“It was also such a great opportunity to meet other people, listen, learn from and be embraced by other inspiring women.”

Combining her OT skills with the new knowledge and understanding from her training and Jeanette’s mentoring, Lucy began facilitating WoTL events on the EP from workshops through to training courses.

Over the past six years, as a WoTL Ambassador she has hosted events with visiting experts in everything from agricultural resilience and farm strategic planning to setting up an office and communicating effectively.

“There’s a real hum in a room when you get it going well and the conversations are flowing,” Lucy says.

“It’s not about you knowing the answers. There’s such a collective knowledge in the room and seeing that drawn out in a session is amazing. Together, the participants share their knowledge, experiences and figure things out and I find that inspiring.”

Lucy Pedler facilitating a WoTL Workshop

Above: Together with George, Lucy runs George Pedler Ag, whilst also facilitating Regenerate Rural Women with WoTL

Creating connections between rural women is also a highlight of her work.

“Often two women working in ag aren’t going to sit down with a beer like men and talk about how the business is going. It’s so important to create opportunities for women to talk about their farm or business work, because it’s not something they might naturally talk about together at the football or school drop offs.

“I definitely see the impact of our sessions. A lot of it is confidence – women leave workshops and say they’re going to go home and talk to their partners or families about making changes, ask questions about why they are doing certain things, or take on a larger role within certain aspects of their business. They leave feeling empowered.”

Lucy’s work with WoTL has led to a thriving career in facilitation and expanded opportunities with other agricultural bodies including Livestock SA.

It’s also given her the confidence and skills to take on facilitation and leadership roles in her community.

For the past six years she has facilitated the Youth Opportunities personal leadership program for Year 10 students at Cummins Area School, equipping youth with the skills to overcome adversity, build resilience and optimism, and prepare for their future.

Over the past five years she has also headed the group behind the development of the Cummins Community Sports Club, which opened in March 2025. It was a mammoth task bringing together multiple user groups to build a shared facility for the whole community.

“WoTL has helped me feel more confident to take on community leadership roles,” Lucy says.

“We’ve just wrapped up the new clubrooms. As a combined club project, it was an unusual situation. There were ups, downs and a lot of negotiations, but I felt all of the facilitation work I’ve done equipped me to lead this project.”

Looking ahead, she sees the role of WoTL and its Ambassadors as even more important, with a dry start to the growing season.

“This year I think it’ll be so important for women here to have those connections and opportunities to come together. It’s the driest start anyone has seen here for a very long time. It’ll be a time of heightened emotions and stress, and those connections and the role WoTL can play will be crucial.”

Passionate About Purpose-Driven Partnerships? WoTL Wants You on Our Team

by Kim | Apr 8, 2025 | Latest News, Uncategorized

Drive Impact Through Connection: Applications are open for WoTL’s Relationships & Partnerships Manager

Are you looking for a rewarding role in which you can support women connected to agriculture? WoTL offers a unique and enriching environment, where the impact of your efforts can extend across South Australia and now also NSW.

Working with a dynamic and remote team, the Relationships and Partnerships Manager will develop and drive engagement for a portfolio of current and prospective corporate partnerships. You will support the achievement of fundraising budgets and long term mutually beneficial relationships, essential to WoTL being able to deliver professional and personal development opportunities to women in agriculture.

You can learn more about WoTL by exploring our Board, our mission, or our Stories of Impact.

Application Period:

Applications are open on Tuesday, 8th of April, and will close, Wednesday, 30th of April, 2025

Position Description:

You can access the position description in this PDF.

For Further Enquiries and How to Apply

All enquiries regarding the position will remain private and confidential. For further information, please contact Kim Blenkiron, Executive Officer at 0427 592 243 or eo@wotl.com.au or submit your application to admin@wotl.com.au.

The Heartbeat Behind WoTL Workshops

by Kim | Apr 1, 2025 | Ambassadors, Latest News

Behind every WoTL event is a powerhouse of purpose — our regional Ambassadors.

These incredible women are volunteers — community-minded, action-oriented, and deeply connected to the places they live. They work closely with WoTL to identify the needs of their local networks and help shape events that bring real value to rural women. It’s thanks to them that workshops land at the right time, in the right place, with the right focus.

We’re proud to currently have Ambassadors spanning across South Australia:

Lucy Pedler, Cathy Paterson and Angela Harris on the Eyre Peninsula
Dani Nickolls and Fiona Woolfitt in the Murray Mallee
Shannon Pearson and Jacqui Foster in the Limestone Coast
Leanne Pridham on the Yorke Peninsula
Dili Schoenberg in the Mid North

Regenerate Rural Woman - A Lasting Impact

We are also excited to welcome Ingrid Inchbold who will become our inaugural Ambassador in NSW, where we are working with funders to bring rural communities the same successful programs and events experienced in SA.

On top of these Ambassador relationships, we are also thankful to have key members from industry groups to collaborate with, in bringing events to their regions and industries.

In February, we had the rare chance to bring most of our Ambassadors together in one place — for the first time in three years. Over two energising days, we connected, collaborated and planned for the future with facilitator Toni Duka guiding the conversation. From shaping delivery models to reflecting on WoTL’s strategic direction, we explored how to strengthen our shared impact.

What stood out? These women are doers.

They’re the kind of people who roll up their sleeves, think big, and bring their communities along for the ride. Whether they live and breathe agriculture or are connected to it in other ways, they understand the importance of tailored professional development in regional areas — and they’re proud to play a role in making it happen.

WoTL Ambassadors don’t just organise events; they create spaces where women feel welcome, empowered and inspired. Where learning is local and leadership is shared. Where you leave feeling seen, supported and ready to take action.

It’s a privilege to work alongside such dedicated women, each driven by a desire to give back and help others grow.

Interested in becoming a WoTL Ambassador? Or supporting one in your region? Reach out to Executive Officer Kim Blenkiron at eo@wotl.com.au — we’d love to hear from you.

This project is an initiative of the Government of South Australia’s Office for Small and Family Business and the South Australian Small Business Strategy 2023 – 2030.

Beyond Education: What It’s Like to Attend a WoTL Workshop

by Kim | Mar 28, 2025 | Ambassadors, Events, Latest News, Uncategorized

If you’ve ever joined a WoTL workshop, you’ll know it’s not just about learning — it’s about belonging.

In rural Australia, opportunity can sometimes feel just out of reach. Geography, seasonality, time, and the juggle of roles across home, work and community all make accessing professional development and networking a challenge. But that’s where WoTL steps in — with a network of passionate regional Ambassadors who help make these meaningful moments possible.

WoTL Workshop - Risky Business Manoora March 2025

Backed by funding from grants and generous sponsors, WoTL works hand-in-hand with local Ambassadors to bring the right topics, delivered by the right facilitators, to the right regions. You might find yourself deep in business strategy or farm finance, walking a paddock or orchard on a crop tour, exploring soil health or ewe nutrition, or building skills in HR, communication, or decision-making in family-run operations.

Some days are serious, others are energising — and many are full of laughter, insight, and those all-important lightbulb moments.

From the moment you arrive — often greeted with a warm smile from your local Ambassador — the pace shifts. You step into a space designed for you, because WoTL stands for Women Together Learning — and that means you’re never the only woman in the room. You’re surrounded by others just like you: curious, capable women ready to connect and lift each other up.

That confidence — to speak, ask, share, and grow — is at the heart of what makes WoTL workshops so different. As Lucy Pedler, long-time WoTL Ambassador on the Eyre Peninsula, shares:

“There’s a real hum in a room when you get it going well and the conversations are flowing. It’s not about you knowing the answers — there’s such a collective knowledge in the room, and seeing that drawn out in a session is amazing.”

Workshops are scheduled at times that suit the group, often during school hours to ease the juggle, and planned carefully around peak seasonal pressures. Catering is provided — making it even easier to just show up and learn. And because a cuppa and a conversation can go a long way, every detail is considered, from where the workshop is held, to the layout of the room. Facilitators are chosen not just for what they know, but for how they make you feel — informed, encouraged, and supported.

WoTL’s regional Ambassadors are at the heart of it all — because without them, these opportunities simply wouldn’t exist. As Dili, an Ambassador from South Australia’s Mid North, shares:

“I want to continue to be more involved in our local community and give back, because I’m so lucky to be able to connect with, engage with, and learn from and alongside so many amazing individuals in our little farming corner.” (Read more of her story here).

In a landscape where traditional agricultural events are often male-dominated, WoTL ensures rural women have a space of their own — to learn, lead, and thrive.

So if you’ve been meaning to come along to a WoTL workshop, consider this your sign. You’ll leave with more than just knowledge — you’ll leave with confidence, community, and a reminder that you’re not doing this alone.

Keep up to date with all of WoTL’s Events via our Facebook Page or Event Page.

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Bridging the Gap Between Fear and Action

by Kim | Feb 10, 2025 | Ambassadors, Latest News, Stepping into Leadership, Stories of Impact

Dili Schoenberg is no stranger to change.

She swapped the hustle and bustle of city life in Sydney for a quiet, rural life when she moved to Clare, South Australia, for her first job out of university.

And, more recently, she switched from a successful research career to working as a full-time farmer in Manoora in SA’s Mid North.

But that doesn’t mean she finds each new change easy.

“In fact, I think it gets scarier with age,” she says.

A former grains researcher at SARDI for over 13 years, Dili has extensive experience in pre-breeding and data analysis. In her career, she worked with a team developing new genetic traits for plant breeders that have led to the development of new crop varieties.

But while her work has equipped her to take a scientific and analytical approach to on-farm challenges, Dili felt she needed some extra support to gain the confidence to step into her new role as a mixed-cropping and livestock producer alongside husband Daniel.

Now, Dili says it’s the network of support she’s built and the training she’s undergone – including WoTL’s Stepping into Leadership (SiL) Program – that has helped her navigate the career change.

Above: Dili at the 2023 Stepping Into Leadership Graduation.

“The Stepping into Leadership Program came at a pivotal point in my life,” she says.

“I was mid-career, juggling the demands of working off-farm, learning everything I could about agribusiness, and raising two young children.”

While she loved each aspect of her busy life, everything happening at once left Dilli feeling the need to reassess things – and the SIL program helped guide her through that next stage.

“In particular, the program pinpointed my values and what truly motivates and fulfills me. For me, that’s connecting with people, learning, and being useful,” she says.

“This is also probably why transitioning into full-time farming initially felt so terrifying. Coming from a scientific, off-farm background, I was stepping into a world where I was losing that familiar ‘work’ network and lacked some of the basic skills (like steering heavy machinery in a straight line!). WoTL’s leadership program helped me focus on what I could bring to the table instead of what I couldn’t.”

That focus on her skills, strengths and future goals set Dili up for success.

“Alongside learning how to drive in straight lines, within 12 months of graduating I’d also taken on a role as a WoTL ambassador for the Mid North, running seven agribusiness workshops with incredible experts being brought into our local area,” she says.

“Farming requires wearing so many hats—mechanics, logistics, heavy machinery, agronomy, OHS, and agribusiness, to name a few. This year, we’ve experienced the worst seasonal rainfall on record. The skills and knowledge I gained through the WoTL courses helped me step back, see the bigger picture, and map out a strategic way forward.

“Having said that, there’s still a lot for me to learn, and I’m definitely learning a lot with each day on the job.”

Dili is keen to combine some of her research expertise with her growing on-farm experience and the knowledge gained through the SIL program to try new ways of working and plan for the business’ future.

“I’m keen to look into the some of the farm data on yields, soils, crop sequences and weather to see if we can uncover any patterns in our paddocks that may be helpful for future crop and soil management planning,” she says.

“The biggest lesson for me has been understanding and managing risk. On-farm, it’s crucial to identify your biggest risks—both production and business—and try and develop sustainable models and strategies that work for you. To us, that has meant doing those five to 10-year (business) forecasts, calculating those rolling averages and recalibrating as needed… and continuing to pray for rain.”

Between the confidence that Stepping into Leadership has given her to “bridge the gap between fear and action”, and building connections with others in a supportive local community, Dili feels empowered to settle into her role on the farm and as a WoTL Ambassador.

Recently selected as a member of Grains Producers SA’s new Young Grains Producers Committee, Dili is looking forward to growing her network, continuing her learning and representing her community.

“I’m particularly passionate about advocating for small family farms and how we can support them into the future amid rising uncertainty in markets, production, and costs,” she says.

“I want to continue to be more involved in our local community and give back, because I’m so lucky to be able to be able to connect with, engage with and learn from and alongside so many amazing individuals in our little farming corner.”

Regenerate Rural Woman – A Lasting Impact

by Kim | Feb 8, 2025 | Latest News, Uncategorized

As the WoTL Board and Staff reflected on and celebrated our successes over the past year, the ongoing impact of our programs was a key highlight, with the Regenerate Rural Women (RRW) program central to this.

The RRW program recognises that women are often the backbone of families and communities, providing steadfast support during times of difficulty or distress. Yet, amidst this vital role, many women find themselves without the same support for their own wellbeing. They may lose sight of their identity, values, strengths, and opportunities for growth—not just in challenging times whilst supporting families, businesses and communities, but also through the everyday demands of being primary caretakers, where their own needs are often placed last.

Knowing this, the RRW program offers a safe, nurturing space for reflection, an opportunity to reassess priorities, and the empowerment to realign with personal goals and aspirations. One participant shared, “This program has improved my mental health significantly by connecting me with peers experiencing similar challenges in farming life that I’ve struggled to find anywhere else.”

This process is not just about regeneration for the individual—it’s about reigniting the spark that fuels communities. For many, stepping into the program means stepping out of their comfort zones, as another participant reflected, “It was a great experience, got me out of my comfort zone, and I have learnt so much.”

Since its inception in 2023, the RRW program has been delivered 13 times, reaching more than 150 women across regional and rural South Australia—from the Eyre Peninsula to the Limestone Coast and everywhere in between. This wide-reaching impact speaks to the program’s relevance and the genuine need for spaces that support and uplift rural women.

The program fosters resilience, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose, equipping women with the tools to thrive both personally and within their communities. Feedback such as “highly recommend this program—so pleased with what I have learnt and gained,” has been reflected in each location.

If you’re seeking time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most to you, the Regenerate Rural Women program is your opportunity. WoTL is continuing to seek funding to allow us to continue the far reaching impact of this program, and will be announcing dates for a RRW in the Riverland in early 2025. If you are seeking out a program like this in your area, or are part of an organisation who would like to support this opportunity for regional women, please contact us at eo@wotl.com.au, and let’s regenerate—together.

Upcoming dates can be found on our Regenerate Rural Women page when registrations are open.