Courtney Wilson

Cranbrook branch

President

Courtney farms with her husband Jack on his family’s mixed sheep and cropping farm at Cranbrook. They have two boys born in 2016 and 2020, who love farming! Courney has a passion for sheep more than cropping but does admit to looking forward to harvest each year.

While at uni undertaking a Batchelor of Business degree, Courtney developed a great interest in the event management industry and ended up majoring in that field. Moving back to the farm however, saw Courtney use her degree in the area that was in her original plan – accounting. She now works off farm, part-time, as an accountant. This has allowed Courtney to connect and support other women involved in agriculture – not only those on the farm but those involved in the many, varied aspects of agriculture.

For the last five years, Courtney has been involved in the Cranbrook branch and is currently in her second year as president. She was the event convenor when the branch hosted the 2022 Women in Farming Annual Seminar.

When not busy working, farming or occupied with her kids, Courtney can often be found on the road, driving around the countryside to get to various towns to umpire on netball courts across the Great Southern.

Carolyn Reid

Boyup Brook branch

Immediate Past President

Growing up on a developing farm with the most hard-working of parents was the best education ever according to Carolyn but she continued it in Perth, graduating from UWA in industrial relations and politics majors and some journalism units at Curtin. Moving to Boyup Brook in 1990 with her husband, they built up a sheep and cropping enterprise together but found it important to maintain involvement in organisations including the Kondinin Group and Australian Open Gardens, as well as a myriad of local community groups as their family grew.

Approaching 30 years farming in the same area and with children going through university and working in agricultural careers, Carolyn has a heightened interest in the future of our rural communities and ensuring they prosper.

Naomi Hall

Gairdner branch

Vice President

Naomi lives and works with her husband and 2 children at Gairdner in the Great Southern region of WA running 3000 head of sheep and cropping canola, wheat and barley.

With a passion for all things agriculture and promoting positive ag to as many people who will listen, Naomi came back onto the Women in Farming board to not only help our members but to continue learning as much as she can to better herself and her business.

When not working on the farm, you’ll find Naomi volunteering on many different local committees and driving children to various sports.

To relax Naomi enjoys being in the garden, sitting with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and tripping off in the caravan to new destination- as much as the farm allows the family to be away!

Laura Butler

Kulin-Kondinin branch

Secretary

Laura lives in Narembeen with her partner Clint and puppy Charlie on a mixed farming enterprise of sheep and cropping.

A highly experienced professional, Laura has a strong business background across a range of sectors in WA including education, not for profits and financial services. She has completed a Master of Business Management at Swinburne University of Technology and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) at Curtin University of Technology.

Laura is a professional member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Associate Fellow Member (AFAIM) of the Australian Institute of Management WA.

Jenny West

Wagin branch

Treasurer

Jenny grew up in Perth then attended agricultural college where she fell in love with the country. She moved to a broad acre farm between Wagin and Dumbleyung, after meeting partner Sam. Here they farm sheep and crop with Sam’s parents. Jenny loves helping out around the farm while also doing the bookwork.

Sam and Jenny have three young children and Jenny is very involved with the local playgroup and toy library committees. Her current passion, apart from Women in Farming Enterprises and taking on the Wagin branch president role, is being involved with the Dumbleyung netball club - both playing and being a coach.

Peta Hubbard

Cranbrook branch

General Board Member

Peta lives and work with her husband, Jarrad, running a livestock agency for 10 years in the Wheatbelt and Great Southern. They have two sons.

Peta is a seasonal professional with significant experience in corporate agricultural. When Peta isn’t helping her husband, she is volunteering on many different local committees and driving children to various sports.

Peta is committed to advancing the role of women in agriculture, leveraging her extensive experience to empower and inspire others in this vital industry.

Jane Kowald

Kojonup branch

General Board Member

Along with her husband Anthony, Jane runs a mixed cropping and sheep enterprise north-east of Kojonup. They have three children, one away at boarding school and two attending local government schools in Katanning. Jane studied Applied Geology at Curtin University and has worked in various roles in state and local government agencies with duties ranging from hydrologist to local landcare officer before recently returning to the farm full time.

Jane volunteers for many community groups including landcare, sporting and scout groups. Jane’s responsibilities on the farm include book keeping, HR management, sheep work and general farm duties. Off-farm interests include playing tennis, fishing, reading, sewing and crochet. Jane looks to Women in Farming as the platform to share information to keep up to date with advances in farming, networking opportunities and professional development.

Darcey Ward

Wagin Brach

General Board Member

Darcey is originally from Wagin, having moved to the Kimberley as a child, attending boarding school and ag college, she has found herself back in Wagin. Darcey, her husband Jay and their two children live on a farm between Wagin and Dumbleyung where they run an earthmoving business and lease most of their farmland out, apart from a small paddock where they keep their flock of 17 sheep.

Darcey has a strong finance and administration background, holding various finance roles in not- for -profits, local government and volunteer organisations/groups. While her favourite and most important job is being Mum, Darcey also works part time as the bookkeeper for Wagin Community Resource Centre and as the Admin Officer for St John Ambulance Sub Centre Wagin. She also enjoys working at the neighbours farm when required, helping out with any sheep work and getting her ‘farm fix’.

This year, Darcey was the 2025 Rural Ambassador for the Wagin Woolorama, a title that she is very grateful for and honoured to hold. As part of the Rural Ambassador role, Darcey would like to bring focus to the ‘rural mum’ and all that they bring to their communities. Darcey believes that the Women in Farming organisation is the village that all rural women need, where it isn’t only nitty-gritty business talk but  a place for connection and support from other rural women and mums.