2026 Wool Industry Conference Program

Explore the 2026 Wool Industry Conference program and plan your conference your way, with industry-leading keynotes, future-focused sessions and practical workshops.

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Location

The Goods Shed
200 Lydiard St N
Soldiers Hill
VIC 3350

Accommodation

Visit our 2026 Conference page for accommodation options.

Day 1: Thursday, 26 March 2026

  • Women in Wool Executive Director and Founder, Bianca Heaney opens the conference alongside President, Vicky Fish.

  • Gender Equity Strategist, Author, and Founder of Advancing Women in Business & Sport, Michelle Redfern, presents: The Missing Link: The Leadership Fundamentals Women Need for the Future of the Wool Industry.

    Proudly sponsored by Techwool Trading

  • Item description

  • Presented by Marnie Briggs, General Manager of HR for AWH:

    An overview of why the Code of Conduct was necessary, how it was developed, and where we are now in its implementation.

  • Presented by Aleksandar Pasquini.

  • Lunch break.

  • How We Frame Our Future: Influences, Realities and Challenges by Women in Wool member, Vikki Templeman.

  • Hear from Vanessa as she speaks about the future of Merino wool in luxury fashion, the role of immersive technology, the need for collaboration across the wool supply chain and the leadership of women shaping the industry’s future.

  • Day 1 Highlights, wrapped

  • The Goods Shed, Ballarat.

  • Gala Dinner brought to you by AWH and Endeavour Wool Exports, with Awards sponsored by Tianyu Wool.

    Gala to be held at The Goods Shed, Ballarat.

Day 2: Friday, 27 March 2026

  • Recap of Day 1 and what to expect for Day 2, with Women in Wool’s Stephanie Boyce and Eamon Timms.

  • Business Continuity – Developing a Business Financial Strategy for Business Continuity.

  • An account of how and why Lesley has brought growing Superfine wool back to the UK and Europe – where it all started.

  • The next generation shaping the future of our industry.

  • Official close of the sessions and an overview of what to expect in the workshops.

  • Presented by Carol Mudford, sHedway

    Toolbox Talk – essential mental health awareness for the wool industry, with practical strategies to support your team.

  • Presented by Wendy Hayward, Future Accounting Ballarat

    Wendy is an experienced carbon emissions consultant with a deep understanding of agricultural systems, built over more than two decades.

    Join Wendy for a practical workshop that simplifies carbon accounting and turn complex emissions data into actionable insights for your farming future.

Meet the Speakers

Michelle Redfern

Michelle Redfern is a globally recognised gender equity, diversity and inclusion strategist, author, and founder of Advancing Women in Business & Sport, where she helps organisations and leaders create more inclusive workplaces and cultures.

Michelle has extensive experience in executive roles and board advisory positions across business and sport, and is known for speaking on topics like leadership, career advancement for women, and moving inclusion from conversation to action.

Vanessa Bell

Vanessa Bell is a Merino farmer and CEO of Vanessa Bell, a luxury knitwear brand crafted from Australian Merino wool in partnership with Italy’s most prestigious mills.

Hear from Vanessa as she speaks about the future of Merino wool in luxury fashion, the role of immersive technology, the need for collaboration across the wool supply chain and the leadership of women shaping the industry’s future.

Dianna Jacobsen

Dianna specialises in all aspects of business strategy for rural and agribusinesses of all shapes and sizes. Combining a background in accounting, financial planning, small business management, and personal empowerment coaching, Dianna works with families Australia-wide to preserve livelihoods and legacies through workable farm succession plans and practical strategic planning.

More speaker profiles coming soon

Award Nominations

Entries for the 2026 Women in Wool Awards are now open, thanks to proud partner Tianyu Wool.

Thanks to Tianyu Wool, three awards, each with career development prize money on offer, recognise outstanding women making a difference through leadership, innovation and dedication across the Australian wool industry. To nominate, please select an award category below.

Emerging Excellence
Legacy in Motion
Career Legacy

  • "My favourite part was the diversity of topics and backgrounds of the speakers."

    2025 Conference Participant

  • "The panel; the opportunity for participants from all parts of the wool chain to be able to ask questions and host conversations. Especially enjoyable given the mills are not often available for such communication."

    2025 Conference Participant

  • "Was a really well put together conference and can only grow from here."

    Shannon - 2025 Conference Participant

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. 

Your Questions, Answered
Register

  • Tickets are available through the Women in Wool website via our TryBooking page. Head to our 2026 Conference page or click the Register button in the FAQs.

  • Women in Wool is the leading global professional development organisation working towards the sustainable enrichment of the whole wool industry through the connection, education and promotion of female talent.

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email info@womeninwool.com.au. Otherwise you can get in touch with the team on Facebook or Instagram.

  • Thanks to our sponsors, the Early Bird Ticket Offer has been extended until the 15th of February 2026. Save $50 for Non-Members and $100 for Members.

  • Choose your adventure: from full registration (access to the 2-Day Conference and Gala Dinner), Day Sessions only or Gala Dinner only. Head to the TryBooking page via our website for pricing.