Stories of Impact
Facilitating Futures: From OT to Community Catalyst
As an Ambassador for WoTL 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.
Bridging the Gap Between Fear and Action
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 Focus on Progress over Perfection
Stephanie March wears many hats: farm business manager, health advocate, and passionate community leader. But her journey to this point hasn’t been an easy one.
As a busy mum of two, including a young son with a rare medical condition, Steph has had to navigate the challenges of rural life and healthcare access while also managing the demands of a growing family farm.
From Career Crossroads to Farming with Purpose
After graduating from university not once, but twice (with two teaching degrees), Rachael McInerney only ever had her mind set on a career which would see her guide and develop the minds of her young students.
Fast-forward a few years, and yes, she’s still teaching the kids in her hometown of Riverton, but she’s also forged her own path as a new farm business leader in South Australia’s Mid-North.
Embracing Challenge and Change
After working in retail for most of her life, Shannon Pearson never imagined she’d become a fulltime dairy farmer. It was a transition that started off small. At first, she helped her mother-in-law with the business bookwork. Then there was a season helping out with calving on the property near Mt Gambier in SA’s South East. The more she did, the more she realised she enjoyed farm life. The only thing holding her back from taking on more was a lack of confidence in her skills. Now, thanks to WoTL’s Stepping Into Leadership Program, Shannon has found the confidence and a network of supportive connections which led her to embrace fulltime farming.
Taking the ram by the horns
When 25-year-old Ellen Arney stepped into the role of Farm Manager of her family’s sheep stud, she knew there was going to be a steep learning curve ahead. Whilst some may consider her young to be managing a farm business, Ellen has a deep appreciation and enthusiasm for sheep breeding and together with a love of farming, she was ready to take the ram by the horns.