Rural Women's Day - Darwin (Holtze) NT

COMMUNITY | COLLABORATION | CELEBRATION

You're invited to our very first Rural Women's Day in the Northern Territory!

Join us at the FreeSpirit Resort for Canapès and Connection.

Our event hosts Rana Everett and Rachel Jakobi have organised a beautiful evening from 4:00pm to 8:00pm for rural and regional women to be inspired by an amazing line up of local women.

Our speakers include; Annette Howie, Maree Bredhauer, Jolene Walsh & Ruth Laker.

Rural Women's Day is proudly supported by our National partner Squadron Energy and this event is sponsored by Cooalinga & Districts Community Bank, Andrew Mackay, Colemans Contracting and Nic's Yoga.

Tickets are $70pp

**This is a 16+ event. Babies in arms are welcome.

Drinks are available at bar prices.

Please note, as we all know unexpected things can occur, our volunteers work incredibly hard to ensure all guests enjoy our events even if we need to make changes last minute. 

Tickets are non-refundable however can be transferred and we asked you to let us know name changes by emailing ruralwomensday@gmail.com

Please provide dietary restrictions on check out, we can't guarantee a change of requirements can be accommodated after October 1, 2025.

Meet Our Hosts:

Rana Everett

Rana is a mechanical engineer and business owner who has been successfully running Everett Consulting NT for nine years from her home base in Humpty Doo. She serves on the Women in Engineering sub-committee of Engineers Australia and is Chief Judge of the Engineering Excellence Awards, Northern Territory. In 2018, she co-founded the Evolving Women's Business Circle with Rachel Jakobi, creating monthly workshops and events that support women in small business with personal and professional development. Together, they have organized this inaugural Rural Women's Day event, combining the Evolving Women's Business Circle with the non-profit Rural Women's Day group. As a mother of four and wife to Paul, she exemplifies the balance of professional achievement, community leadership, and family life that defines many rural women.

Rachel Jakobi

Rachel is a wife (13 years) and mother of 3 kids, ages 9, 11 and 13. She's been working as a Relationship Coach since 2010, based in the rural area of Darwin, NT, Australia.

Rachel grew up 10 minutes from the Sydney CBD and gained a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Food Science before cheffing in her own Catering business for a number of years. In 2007 she decided to follow her interest in psychology by completing a diploma of Clinical Hypnotherapy. She moved to Darwin in 2009, worked a season as a tour guide in Kakadu and then opened her hypnotherapy practise on Cavenagh Street. After a few years off to have kids, she added Life Coaching and EFT to her skillset. Combining her knowledge, she now specialises in Relationship Coaching, in particular couples with ADHD. 

Having lived in various locations in the rural area since 2011, in 2022 her family moved onto a 20 acre farm in Acacia Hills and now homeschools her kids whilst seeing clients online. Her husband, having farmed hay, seed and grain for many years, is now a goat farmer. 

In 2018, she co-founded the Evolving Women's Business Circle with Rana Everett, creating monthly workshops and events that support women in small business with personal and professional development. Together, they have organized this inaugural Rural Women's Day event, combining the Evolving Women's Business Circle with the non-profit Rural Women's Day not-for-profit organisation.

Meet Our Panelists:

Maree Breadhauer

Maree Bredhauer is an experienced professional with advanced qualifications in education and international business, having held diverse roles including teacher, school principal, business owner, mentor, Director in NT Government, Not-for-Profit CEO, and Litchfield Mayor – and let's not forget parent, grandparent and partner. She has a strong focus on leadership development, community engagement, and ethical business practices, actively contributing to local organizations such as Coolalinga Community Bank and Top End Mental Health Consumers Organisation (TEMCHO), and initiatives such as the Litchfield Women in Business Network and Litchfield History Group, alongside various other Litchfield community groups. In her personal time, she enjoys travel, gardening and sports.

Annette Howie

We're delighted to welcome Annette, a remarkable woman whose life story embodies the spirit of rural Australia. Born in Bunbury, Western Australia in 1955, Annette began her agricultural journey as a child and has remained deeply connected to the land ever since. After raising three children with her husband Phil on the south coast of Western Australia, the family made a life-changing move to the Northern Territory in 1996 to manage an export property at Douglas Daly. What started as a business venture quickly became a love affair with Territory life – and they never left! Now a proud grandmother of eight, Annette's path took an inspiring turn in her late forties when health challenges led her to explore natural health solutions. This personal journey sparked a passion for sustainable farming practices that work in harmony with the environment. Semi-retired alongside Phil, Annette continues to champion environmentally conscious agriculture, bringing decades of hands-on experience and wisdom from managing pastoral properties across two very different Australian landscapes.

Jolene Walsh

Jolene Walsh is Darwin born and raised in the Territory's wilderness. Her rich indigenous and non-indigenous heritage instilled a deep connection to country, spirit, and appreciation for our natural environment and people. Jolene's childhood was semi-nomadic alongside her older brother, as their parents worked seasonally on cattle stations and isolated mines across the Top End. She attended one-classroom bush schools and completed much of her education through School of the Air, finishing high school at NT Rural College while competing in rodeo and camp-drafts. Over twenty years ago, Jolene and her husband purchased a mango orchard in Noonamah from family friends, building their home and raising a family alongside horses and pets. Her rural skills and connection to country have influenced all aspects of life, including her professional journey. Jolene's diverse career spans culturally integrated, trauma-informed approaches to career development, mindfulness, healing, and equine programs. Today, she works as a trainer, operator, and HSR representative in mining production. With their children now grown, Jolene and husband Paul are embracing their next chapter as rural empty nesters in Noonamah.

Ruth Laker

Ruth brings over 25 years of experience in administration, customer service, and community leadership, with a background in office management, retail, and small business ownership. She’s known for her exceptional organisation, time management, and ability to support teams and coordinate events. Ruth also runs ARP Business Services, offering social media coordination, virtual assistance, and tech support, drawing on her medical admin and event experience.

A passionate event photographer and artist, Ruth balances creativity with professionalism. For the past seven years, she’s been a full-time carer for her partner, building resilience, empathy, and strong problem-solving skills.

Ruth is deeply involved in her community, coordinating the Fred's Pass Rural Show Paddock to Plate (2024–25), and previously serving as Social Media Coordinator (2020–23). She also supports Humpty Doo Markets and the Southern Districts Crocs Netball Club. Approachable and solutions-focused, Ruth thrives in both collaborative and independent roles, driven by connection, care, and purpose.