CONFERENCE TEAM
Each year, a group of passionate volunteers put up their hand to join the event organising committee.
We thank these wonderful women for bringing so much knowledge, experience, passion and enthusiasm to the Thriving Women 2024 Conference Team!
Toni Duka
Toni Duka is passionate about rural communities. The core of her work has always included building and strengthening relationships through engagement, capacity building and facilitation.
Toni grew up on a farming property on Kangaroo Island and has lived in several SA regions, currently calling Millicent home. Whilst her early career was in state and local government, Toni eventually moved on to start her own consulting business which she has been running for over 15 years. Adapting her offerings over time, she has worked across natural resource management, community development and tourism. She has also held positions on a vast array of committees and Boards.
Following her love of communication, connection and facilitation has led her to hone her business offerings in these areas. Toni is particularly passionate about supporting regional women, supporting them to work through challenges and towards goals they are passionate about, but mostly for them to see themselves in all their beautiful imperfect glory. She is someone who builds rapport quickly and brings energy and enthusiasm to whatever she does. m since 2019 and is excited to take on the role of Conference Convenor for the 2024 event, working alongside an incredible team.
Sally Klose
A passion for developing people, communities and organisations is why Sally Klose is excited to join the Thriving Women 2024 Conference Team.
In 2021, Sally established Sally Klose Strategic Solutions which specialises in strategic and business planning, communication and stakeholder engagement and governance advice. Sally has worked with membership bodies, government, small businesses and sporting and community groups providing solutions to achieve their goals. Previously, Sally worked in local government and the community philanthropy sector. As the Executive Officer of the Stand Like Stone Foundation, Sally received an Award for Excellence from Community Foundations Australia for “outstanding achievements and contributions to philanthropy through the Community Foundation movement”.
Sally and her husband Chris operate a farming business in Lucindale, SA focusing on prime lamb production. Sally’s experience is backed by a Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Management, Company Directors Course Diploma and the IAP2 Certificate in Engagement.
Lucy Morphett
Lucy Morphett is a pastoralist in South Australia’s Far North managing Callanna Station alongside her husband, Tom. Lucy is a champion for rural and remote communities and is passionate about the personal and professional development of women, particularly in agriculture. Lucy believes that the bush deserves healthy, vibrant communities and that women are integral to this being achieved.
Lucy has completed a Bachelor of Agriculture, has worked on ground as a Contract Musterer and for the SAAL Landscape Board. She now enjoys an eventful lifestyle in the outback, running her event planning and advisory business with two little boys afoot whilst holding multiple volunteer Board and Committee positions that are aligned to her values.
Attending the 2018 Thriving Women Conference had a profound impact on Lucy which is why she has decided to join the project team for TW2024.
Claire Fuller
Currently working as a land manager on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Claire Fuller is passionate about women in leadership, training and providing opportunities for growth to become the best version of ourselves. She has four children, three who are neurodiverse making life full and wonderful. Claire’s career has included working for State Government, a global environmental organisation, and two not-for-profits. Always looking for a new adventure, her next ambition is to embark on establishing a pasture raised egg business.
Claire enjoys giving back to the community and has sat on multiple Boards, committees, and panels. She prides herself on being a team player, collegiate, a good communicator, respectful and considerate of others. Claire is looking forward to being a part of the Thriving Women 2024 Conference Team and creating something special for women in agriculture.
Lucy Blenkiron
Lucy Blenkiron is a dedicated student in her final year, studying a double degree in Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Corporate Finance at the University of Adelaide. Her interest in agriculture and business has stemmed from her upbringing on a grazing property in the Barossa Valley.
Formerly an Associate Succession Planner, Lucy seamlessly integrated her legal, financial, and agricultural experience, aiding in the transfer of generational family farm businesses. More recently, Lucy has commenced a position as a Law Clerk and is pursuing a career in corporate law. Lucy’s commitment to helping young people, especially women in agriculture, fuels her support and enthusiasm for WoTL.
Lucy has been involved in volunteer positions for WoTL since 2018. Having been the only volunteer involved in the organisation of all previous Thriving Women Conferences, Lucy looks forward to passing on her knowledge for TW2024, aiming to make it another unique and influential event.
Jo Powells
Jo Powells is thrilled to join the Thriving Women 2024 Conference Team. Hailing from New South Wales, Jo has been working in agricultural research and extension for twenty years. She loves working with landholders to help them gain greater understandings of their natural resources and how to best manage constraints in constantly changing times. Jo has been based in the Snowy Mountains for most of her career, and in her spare time farms cattle and sheep with her partner, Patrick.
Jo is looking forward to working with a bunch of enthusiastic and impressive team and to bring her experience and knowledge back to NSW when the event returns to the state in 2025.
Kelly Will
Kelly Will is a recent agriculture science graduate from the University of Adelaide with a passion for livestock nutrition, breeding and genetics with plans to begin her Honours in the animal nutrition space. Her career goal is to increase the efficiency of production within the livestock industry to meet global demands.
Growing up on a sheep, cropping and forestry farm in the south-east of South Australia ignited her passion for the industry from a young age.
Kelly joins the Team after hearing many great testimonies from previous conferences believing it’s an event that all young women in agriculture need to know about. Kelly is passionate about broadening the reach of the conference and making it relevant to women starting out in the agriculture industry. She’s excited to work with the Team to create an impactful event for all attendees and is looking forward to gaining new knowledge and growth.