Who We Are

Our Story
and Impact

Photo: Brian Kerr

WOTM is a not-for-profit social enterprise, empowering women and girls in rural and regional communities to choose bravery over perfection, connection over isolation, and leadership over limitation. Through events, story telling, and purpose-led programs. We pride ourselves on celebrating women and their achievements across all walks of life. Women of the Murray welcomes those that identify as a women living in communities up to approximately 50km north or south of the Murray River, spanning both the Victorian and New South Wales sides of the border.

Our Founder

STACEY DICK

Hi, I’m Stacey! a wife, mum of two, creative, and the founder of Women of the Murray. This movement began quietly, during a season of burnout and self-reflection. Between raising kids, running a business, and keeping up with life in rural Victoria, I found myself craving something deeper. More connection. More purpose.

That inner nudge led me to enrol in a local leadership program through Moira Shire and it changed everything. I started reconnecting with the parts of myself I’d pushed aside: my creativity, my love for community, and a desire to make space for women like me who felt stretched thin but still full of untapped power.

Out of that season came Women of Moira, a grassroots space for women to connect, share, and grow together. It was beautiful, fulfilling, and showed me firsthand what happens when women support women. At the same time, I kept hearing from women beyond our shire. They wanted this too. The connection. The courage. The community. So I followed the call and changed the name to Women of the Murray,

Let's be brave – together.

We now offer meaningful events, creative workshops, mentoring, and leadership programs for women and girls across our beautiful region. Our ethos is simple: brave, not perfect. You don’t have to have it all together to belong here. You just have to be willing to show up, as you are.

This is for every woman who’s ever felt not quite enough, quietly powerful, or completely overwhelmed. You are not alone. Together, we’re building something extraordinary, one honest conversation, one connection, one courageous step at a time.

Our Why

Women in rural communities face increased rates of social isolation, limited access to wellbeing support, and fewer leadership opportunities. Young women, in particular, are disengaging from community life due to post-COVID disconnection, a lack of visible role models, and mental health challenges.

These barriers can prevent them from stepping into their full potential, contributing to a cycle of low confidence, limited participation, and underrepresentation in leadership.

Social Impact

Every membership, product, and ticket sold helps us create more opportunities for rural women to connect, grow, and lead, building a stronger, more supported community from the ground up..

Theory of Change

If regional women are supported to be brave, not perfect and have the tools to lead with confidence and compassion, then they are more likely to contribute actively in their communities, lifting others as they rise.

We believe that when women feel seen and supported, entire communities thrive.

Our Directors

Founder & Managing Director

Stacey Dick

stacey@womenofthemurray.com.au

Stacey Dick is a regional community leader, marketing and design professional, and advocate for women across rural and regional communities along the Murray River. She is deeply passionate about creating spaces where women feel connected, confident, and supported to thrive.

Grounded in lived experience and regional life, Stacey brings warmth, authenticity, and purpose to everything she does. A 2025 Fairley Fellow, she has recently commenced her Master of Teaching. Stacey is committed to ensuring women and girls feel seen, valued, and empowered to step into their potential, wherever they live.

Chair

Kimberley Tempest

kimberley@womenofthemurray.coom.au

Kimberley is a passionate and values-driven educational leader, deeply committed to strengthening rural and regional communities through education.n Kimberley has led meaningful change in the education space and genuine community partnership.

Her leadership has been widely recognised, including the 2023 Colin Simpson Outstanding Secondary Principal Award and being named Cobram’s Citizen of the Year in 2024 and nominated for Australian Secondary Principal of the year in 2024. Drawn to Women of the Murray for its strong sense of connection, courage and collective leadership.

Board Secretary

Vicki Scott

vicki@womenofthemurray.com.au

Vicki approaches life with enthusiasm, professionalism, passion, and fun, crediting

her family for instilling qualities of empathy, self-belief, personal drive, and giving back.

She is recognised as a leader who fosters inclusivity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking. She coaches emerging leaders, building their capacity to take an active role in shaping the future of the region. Vicki is committed to seeing people live happy and healthy lives, with equal opportunities regardless of their circumstances.

Board Director

Charlene Donovan

charlene@womenofthemurray.com.au

Charlene Donovan is a proud wife, mother of two and a dedicated community and stakeholder engagement professional. With over 15 years of experience supporting and strengthening regional Victoria, Charlene brings a calm, grounded approach to every role she steps into.

A graduate of both the Fairley Leadership Program and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, Charlene is deeply committed to building strong, informed, and connected rural communities.

Board Director

Jackie Elliott

Jackie Elliott was born in Echuca and now lives on the land as a farmer with her husband and their newborn son. Her lived experience across regional Victoria shapes her deep understanding of rural life and the importance of genuine connection between women in remote and farming communities.

In 2019, Jackie founded Rural Women’s Day to create meaningful spaces for rural women to connect, collaborate and celebrate one another.