Parkes to host the 2012 NSW Rural Women's Gathering

Parkes has been chosen as the venue for the 2012 NSW Rural Women's Gathering, an
annual weekend event that brings rural women together for networking, learning, gaining
inspiration and ideas and sharing information.

A group of local women, with the assistance of Council's Events Development Officer,
Katrina Dwyer, put forward a submission to host the event and bring together women from
all over the state to be inspired and enriched by the lifestyle, culture and experiences
Parkes Shire has to offer.

The event will take place from Friday 12 October - Sunday 14 October 2012 and will
attract between 200 and 300 participants from all over NSW. Participants will enjoy three
days of networking and presentations from inspiring and informative speakers, workshops
and social functions showcasing our iconic attractions, activities, business and services.
2012 will also mark the 20th anniversary of the NSW Rural Women's Gathering and Parkes
will be a fitting host with the decision to initiate the inaugural event in 1993 coming out of a
meeting held in Parkes 20 years ago.

A local committee will be formed to coordinate all aspects of the event with the support
from the Rural Women's Network and the NSW Rural Women's Council. Members of the
committee will attend the 2011 NSW Rural Women's Gathering in Gloucester to participate
in a handover ceremony and promote the 2012 event in Parkes.

If anyone in the community is interested in being a part of this committee or has some
ideas they would like to put forward, please contact Katrina Dwyer on 02 6862 6000.