Incredible speaker lineup announced for 2026 National Conference

Following the sellout success of its inaugural national event in Tasmania in 2024, national charity Motherland has announced that its highly anticipated 2026 National Conference will be held in Toowoomba, Queensland, on March 13th and 14th, with limited tickets now officially on sale.

Proudly supported by Major Partner the Queensland Government and Platinum Partner Elders, the two-day event will once again bring hundreds of rural women together from across the country to connect, recharge and be inspired.

Returning to MC the conference is Olympic Gold Medalist and TV presenter Giaan Rooney, who emceed the inaugural event and brings a deep personal connection to life on the land. A passionate advocate for rural motherhood, Giaan lives on a macadamia farm in northern New South Wales and is a strong supporter of Motherland’s mission.

The 2026 speaker lineup is set to be one of Motherland’s most powerful to date. It includes Gina Chick, survivalist, rewilding facilitator, writer, and winner of Alone Australia, Genevive Muir, renowned parenting educator, social worker and author, and Julie Goodwin, Australia’s First MasterChef Winner & author of Your Time Starts Now.

Headlining Motherland’s Gala Dinner, supported by nbn, will be keynote speaker Anna Meares, Australia’s most decorated Olympic cyclist and the current Chef de Mission for the Australian Olympic Team. More speakers will be announced over the coming months.

Motherland Founder, CEO and 2024 Australian of the Year for Tasmania Stephanie Trethewey said the national conference has quickly become one of the most impactful gatherings on the rural events calendar.

“In 2024 we launched something really special in Tassie, and the feedback was overwhelming. Women flew in from every state, and the emotional impact was undeniable. In 2026, we’re bringing that same energy to Toowoomba, with new voices, new stories, and our charity’s same unwavering purpose – to reduce isolation and improve mental health for rural mums.

Held in the heart of Toowoomba, conference tickets include two full days of speaker sessions, access to information and support services, daily catering and Friday evening’s Gala Dinner.

Rural women from across Australia are encouraged to attend, whether they’re already mothers or planning a family in the future.

We’re also proud to welcome Cable and Grand Central Shopping Centre as event sponsors, supporting the experience for rural mums attending the conference. With Grand Central located just minutes from the venue, guests will enjoy convenient access to shopping during their trip.

The Conference is being held in partnership with the Queensland Government which has invested in Motherland, enabling the charity to significantly expand its services and bolster its support services for isolated rural mums across the state.

Queensland’s Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said “Motherland’s 2026 conference is a fantastic way for country mums to meet, connect, to be seen and supported. The Crisafulli Government is proud to support Motherland’s work to ensure more mums have access to vital support networks, services and a strong sense of connection when they need it most.“

Thanks to the Queensland Government, scholarships for Queensland rural mums doing it tough will be available so that they can apply to attend the conference for free, covering travel, accommodation and conference tickets. Rural women are encouraged to apply for a scholarship via the Motherland website.

Limited tickets to the Motherland Conference are now available via motherlandaustralia.com.au/nationalconference. Gala dinner tickets can be purchased separately or in tables of 10, with Motherland warmly inviting members of the Queensland business community and agricultural industry to attend.