Fueling ambition, fostering development, and cultivating change.
OUR MISSION
Hunter Empowher is dedicated to fostering the professional and educational advancement of women* within the wine, tourism, and hospitality sectors of the Awabakal and Worimi|Newcastle and Wonnarua|Hunter Valley regions.
Through targeted initiatives, mentorship, and financial support, we aim to empower women* to achieve their full potential, contribute to the growth of their industries, and cultivate a more equitable and inclusive professional landscape.
*The term women include those of assigned female at birth, non-binary, and trans-women.
EmpowHER Education Fund
EmpowHER Education Fund
The Empowher Education Fund aims to support the professional and educational development of women, inclusive of assigned females at birth, non-binary individuals, and transgender women.
These individuals work in the wine, tourism and hospitality industries in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley regions.
Co-sponsored by the Hunter Culinary Association, it’s designed to remove financial barriers of up to $ 3,000, helping these women advance their careers through education and professional training. This could include:
Funding for courses, workshops, or certifications like WSET, AWAC, CMS, TAFE courses, etc.
Supporting attendance at industry conferences or events like the Australia Women in Agriculture Conference, AHA Women in Hotels Conference, FutureAg Expo, ETC.
Providing resources for mentorship or professional development programs like the Australian Institute of Management Business School, Career Training Institute of Australia, university short courses, etc.
In 2026, there will be two rounds of funding and applications:
FIRST ROUND: Opens 1 June, and closes 30 June
SECOND ROUND: Opens late 2026
2025 EmpowHER Education Recipients
2025 EmpowHER Education Recipients
Congratulations to our 2025 EmpowHER Education Fund recipients:
🚌 Keira Bourke from Newy Tour Co, who will use the funding to attend the Australian Tourism Exchange in 2026
🍷 Jess Fletcher from Muse Restaurant, who will complete her WSET 3
🍃 Lou Eather from Tyrrell's Wines, who will attend the AWRI’s Advanced Viticulture Course
🍇 Kiri Irving from Mercer Wines, who will attend the AWRI’s Advanced Wine Assessment Course
📝 Mel Lomas from Scarborough Wine Co. will do a Digital Copywriting Course
💡Jessica Gregory from Thermidor Brasserie, who will attend the Future Leadership Conference in Melbourne
OUR COMMITTEE
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President
Jenna Vaughan
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Secretary
Lara Hagan
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Treasurer
Jess Buttrey
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Committee
Sally Scarborough
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Committee
Cathy Gadd
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Social Media
Allanna Wells
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Committee
Georgia Smith
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Committee
Louise Eather
All images by the talented Georgie Ilona Photography
International Women’s Day Events
The spark that ignited the flame.
Fueled by an idea hatched between friends, a sell-out long lunch hosted by the esteemed Johanna Griggs AM ignited a powerful movement. The resounding success of this event directly led to the formation of the Hunter Empowher and, crucially, provided the initial funding for the vital Empowher Educational Fund.
