The Exchange encouraged wide-ranging discussion, and sought to inspire

Hosted by HealthWISE, The Exchange brought together a diverse panel of women to discuss their business successes and challenges.

Topics were wide-ranging and included everything from launching new businesses and fighting imposter syndrome, to birthing calves.

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It was a regional event, with and attendees and panellists coming from all over, including Armidale, Narrabri, Gunnedah, Moree and surrounds.

HealthWISE director Amy Creighton did the Welcome To Country address, explaining the importance of honouring the Gomeroi people and the need to switch focus from generational trauma to generational strength.

Host of the wildly popular Australian news podcast The Squiz Today and commercial director of The Squiz media entity, guest speaker Kate Watson talked about creating a viable business from the free service. She encouraged attendees to be courageous in pursuing their careers, recalling her journey from political staffer to working for the Australian Women's Weekly to Sky News before taking a 'calculated risk' on The Squiz.

Panel member Heidi Austin had the audience rolling in the aisles when she recalled the early days of her career, when many farmers doubted the abilities of a female vet.

"One bloke said to me 'You don't look strong enough (to deliver a calf),'" she said.

"The calving was so easy that I actually had to hold the calf in the cow for a while before I delivered it to make him feel ok! At the end he said 'I should have been able to do that,' and I said 'Yes, you should!'"

Belinda Judd and Penny Crawford spoke about their own start-ups in education and foot wear respectively.

Ms Judd outlined the challenges of bringing talented teachers together and meeting the needs of the syllabus, while Penny discussed the obstacles she faced bringing her safety boot invention to life and how to command respect in a male-dominated field.

HealthWISE integrated care manager Anne Williams inspired audience members to consider mentoring others in her discussion of the mentors who helped her adjust when she stepped into the high level management role.

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