Radiant Energy and Resilience: Reflecting on IWD 2026 with Liv Phyland

Reflecting on IWD 2026 with Liv Phyland

On Friday 6 March, the Wagga Wagga community came together in a truly spectacular fashion to celebrate International Women’s Day 2026. With tickets completely exhausted and a bustling waiting list, the room was filled with an undeniable sense of connection, empowerment and shared purpose.

This year’s Morning Tea wasn’t just a celebration, it was a deep dive into the journeys that shape us as women, entrepreneurs and community members.

A Morning of Inspiration with Liv Phyland

We were incredibly fortunate to welcome the vibrant Liv Phyland as our guest speaker. Liv’s day began early, spending time with local high school students to share messages of self care and resilience, before joining our Women in Business (WiB) community.

Liv captivated the audience with her "life journey" story, moving from her well known career in television to the gritty, rewarding realities of entrepreneurship. Her talk reminded us all that while the "invisible load" of being a woman in business is real, there is immense power in vulnerability and staying true to one's passions.

Celebrating Local Excellence: Ann Adams OAM

A highlight of the morning, and a moment that brought a sense of profound pride to the room, was the announcement of the 2026 Wagga Wagga Electorate Local Woman of the Year.

A massive congratulations to Ann Adams OAM on receiving this prestigious honour. Ann’s award recognises her extraordinary 59 year legacy of contribution to the community through her dedicated work with the Country Women’s Association (CWA). Ann is a testament to the impact one woman can have when she dedicates her heart to service and it was a privilege to celebrate her achievements alongside her peers.

The Power of Collaboration

An event of this magnitude is only possible through the strength of local partnerships. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Wagga Wagga City Council and Dr Joe McGirr for their continued collaboration with Women in Business Wagga Wagga. Together, we are able to create spaces where local women feel seen, heard and inspired to lead.

Thank you to every member, guest and partner who made IWD 2026 a morning to remember.