Join us for RRR Women’s Toowoomba Long Lunch: Women and Wealth; proudly sponsored by People First Bank and Braeside.

It’s a premium professional and personal development event designed to strengthen rural, regional and remote Queensland womens’ financial literacy, confidence, and long-term economic security.

Featuring leading finance experts, this high-value program will deliver practical, evidence-based insights into budgeting, superannuation, and financial planning to support informed and confident decision-making.

This event is an ideal opportunity for organisations to invest in their teams. Bring your colleagues to connect with like-minded professionals, expand networks, and access mentoring opportunities that support leadership growth, career advancement and personal development.

Guests will enjoy a two-course long lunch and three-hour drinks package, with lucky door prizes and raffles; all hosted in the marquee set within the garden surrounds of Toowoomba’s iconic Gips Restaurant.

Secure your tickets today and support the financial empowerment of women in your workplace and community. Members, use your discount code to access special pricing. Not a member? Join from just $66 to unlock member benefits.

Meet the speakers  

Join MC Caitlin Crowley in conversation with our expert Women and Wealth panel to unpack practical examples of ‘what wealth means to you’ and high level financial literacy and economic security tactics for rural women. Guests will leave having learnt something new about  wealth, financial literacy or economic security, and with a tactic you can choose to implement right away to secure your wealth.  

You can join in the Q&A in this relatable, genuine and approachable conversation, and network with our experts over the afternoon.  

MC: Caitlin Crowley
Caitlin Crowley is an experienced journalist and MC whose work helps inform, uplift and inspire audiences and spark critical conversations. Having spent more than a decade reporting on the issues shaping life in country Queensland, Caitlin is driven by a genuine commitment to championing rural and regional Australia and the women redefining what’s possible in the bush. 

Panellist: Michelle McVeigh
Partner, BMO Dalby and RRR Women Treasurer
Determination, high technical competence and empathy for clients are qualities that characterise BMO Business Centre Partner, Michelle McVeigh. After Michelle completed her Bachelor of Business (Accounting), she launched her career working in accounting and finance in the cotton industry. In 1994, Michelle joined BMO and went on to become a partner in 2008. She has extensive taxation and accounting experience, is a specialist in self-managed super funds and has a strong interest in succession planning. At busy times in the office, her calm nature is reassuring to both clients and the BMO team. Michelle enjoys the challenge of helping clients and their families balance good business decisions with their personal goals. Raised on the family farm at Jimbour, Michelle has always had a connection with the land. With husband Andrew and their two sons, they operate a grain property near Condamine. Michelle was named as an Australian finalist in the Women in Finance Awards for Regional Professional of the Year in 2021. 

Panellist: Polly Saraiva
State Manager Queensland, Rabobank
Pollyana Saraiva is Rabobank’s State Manager for Queensland, leading the bank’s rural banking operations across one of Australia’s most significant agricultural regions. With nearly 30 years of experience in financial services and food and agribusiness, she brings deep expertise and a lifelong passion for supporting farming families and agricultural enterprises. Since joining Rabobank in 2007, Pollyana has held a wide range of leadership and client -focused roles, including Regional Manager for Rabobank International Brazil, as well as branch manager and relationship manager positions. Before ta king on her current role in Queensland, she spent six years in São Paulo as Head of Rural Banking for Rabobank’s Latin American business. In that capacity, she led rural banking operations across Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru, managing a team of more t han 200 people and a substantial multi-billion-dollar client portfolio. Pollyana’s connection to agriculture runs deep. The daughter of an agronomist, she grew up on her family’s farm, fostering a lifelong understanding of the realities, challenges and opportunities of primary production. Prior to joining Rabobank, she also spent nine years in credit roles with a major agribusiness corporation, further strengthening her insights into agricultural finance. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration/Management from the Federal University of Uberlândia (Brazil). Passionate about supporting the ambitions of Rabobank’s clients, Pollyana is committed to helping Queensland farmers grow their businesses, invest in productivity, adopt sustainable practices and build strong foundations for future generations. Now based in Queensland, she brings extensive global experience and heartfelt dedication to one of Australia’s agricultural powerhouses. For Pollyana, agribusiness is more than a career — it’s part of her life, and she approaches her work with authenticity, expertise and care.  

Panellist: Cathy Hunt AM
Chair, Women of the World Australia
Cathy Hunt AM is a mission-driven leader and change-maker in the cultural, creative, and community sectors. She champions cultural expression as key to solving societal challenges, innovating to fill gaps and deliver impact and has extensive international experience in cultural project management, planning and policy development. Cathy co-founded the WOW movement in Australia and has initiated 10 Festivals across the Country including directly producing 8 in Queensland. Cathy has always had a focus on the economic security of artists and women, developing initiatives like the QuickstART microloan fund and investing in women led businesses. Through WOW Cathy has led conversations on this topic exploring all issues from financial literacy to intersecting policy debates such as on housing, childcare, and workplace culture, whilst advocating that ‘A Man is not a Plan’. Recognised with an AM for services to arts, culture, and women, she is committed to equity and inclusion and serves on various governance boards including Screen Queensland. 

With thanks to our supporters Quest Apartments Toowoomba who have a special offer on accomodation bookings for our Toowoomba Long Lunch guests. See details here. 

About our events 

RRR Women activities bring together women from diverse backgrounds to share knowledge, build networks, and develop leadership skills.

Rural, Regional, Remote Women’s Long Lunch is well-known as a purposeful, community-building event designed to bring together women from across the region to strengthen professional networks, share expertise, and spark new opportunities for collaboration.

Building on the success of the longest running event on the RRR Women calendar, we’re hosting even more Long Lunches in 2026 – next stop Toowoomba!

With thanks to our generous Silent Auction Donors. More to be announced soon!