Young Rural Regional and Remote Women’s Advocacy Panel (YRRRAP)

Sara Makeham was born and raised in country NSW, in 2020 after completing her degree in Criminal Justice, Sara moved to WA. Sara is currently working as a domestic violence caseworker which allows her to focus on her two passions in life - rural, remote and regional communities and women's safety.

Phoebe Britten is an internationally-recognised founder and advisor driving transformative change in education, gender equality, and civic engagement. As CEO of Inspire Tomorrow Education (ITE), she uses technology to provide free tutoring and scholarship access to underserved communities, impacting hundreds of students nationwide. Selected as a WTO Young Trade Leader, Phoebe amplifies Asia-Pacific voices in global trade, focusing on gender and regional equity. She has advised on youth governance and human rights as a Board Director at Voices of Influence Australia and as an OECD Youthwise Advisory Member. Phoebe also founded The Modern Democracy podcast and has been recognised as a Top 100 Future Leader by the AFR.

Jaime Colley is a young professional based in Southeast Queensland, combining experience in agricultural advocacy with a passion for storytelling. Growing up on a sheep and cattle property in Texas, QLD, Jaime developed a passion for rural life and agriculture early on. She holds Bachelors in law and creative industries from QUT, and has focussed her career on supporting Queensland producers through impactful advocacy and policy work. An accomplished writer, Jaime won the 2023 Allen & Unwin Writers Prize, was a 2024 creative resident with WhyNot, and have been published in a range of publications, including Voiceworks Australia. Jaime is committed to making a positive impact by connecting people and communities through the power of storytelling.

Coming from a dryland farming family in regional South Australia, Loren has firsthand experience with the challenges of marginal areas. Her family's struggle with agricultural hardship shaped her resilience and problem-solving skills. Now pursuing a Civil Engineering degree, she thrives in hands-on roles, working as an undergraduate engineer with a civil construction company and contributing to the Naval shipyards at Osborne, expanding her technical expertise. Passionate about sustainability and equality, Loren has advocated for regional students through her involvement in the SA Youth Forum. As a STEM Ambassador for Flinders University, she promotes careers in science and engineering, focusing on supporting disadvantaged groups and encouraging women in STEM, helping to break barriers and create opportunities in the field.

Haylee hails from Gunnedah in North-West NSW where her love for agriculture came from. She has a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of New England. Haylee has worked in varying roles in agriculture, agronomy, rural event coordination, student recruitment and currently works for the AgCAREERSTART program attracting students to careers within the agriculture industry. She is incredibly passionate about the future of Australian Agriculture and the role rural women play in it. She hopes to help provide opportunities for more women in remote, rural and regional areas.

Natalie is a passionate advocate for diversity and innovation in agriculture. Based in the Riverina region of NSW and holding an Honours degree in Agricultural Science, she is committed to driving continuous improvement and fostering participation across the industry. In 2024, Natalie was recognised as an EvokeAg Future Young Leader after founding a start-up dedicated to reducing plastic waste in the livestock industry. Currently working as a Business Analyst, Natalie enhances the efficiency of high-value agricultural assets in the Northern beef industry. She is dedicated to amplifying the voices of rural women and believes in the power of networking across industries to build a more adaptive and inclusive agricultural sector.

As a 5th Medical Student at James Cook University, hailing from a Remote QLD town, I have been extensively involved in my community, which has allowed me to develop strong time management and interpersonal skills. I am a grounded, hardworking person who loves meeting new people and enjoys challenges. My caring, considerate and respectful nature is evident through my commitment to serving on multiple boards and my participation in a wide range of activities. As a leader within the community, I am driven by the unwavering values of empathy, excellence, integrity and respect. These core values serve as the foundation of my philosophy, committed to providing outstanding care to those in need and sustainable strategic direction.

Claudia is an award-winning solicitor and human rights advocate committed to advancing justice and equity across regional Australia. Raised in the Illawarra region, where she continues to live and work, Claudia brings deep local insight to her advocacy. Her work centres on supporting marginalised communities and driving systemic change. Beyond her legal practice, Claudia serves on the boards of national not-for-profits focused on housing insecurity, youth leadership and gender equality. Claudia’s work has garnered international recognition, including receiving the Education Leadership Award from the Legacy Project. She also received the Early Career Lawyer of the Year Award from the Law Society of NSW in 2024.