Book Stephanie Trethewey keynote speaker

Stephanie Trethewey

Stephanie Trethewey is the 2024 Australian of the Year for Tasmania. She’s a visionary leader who has transformed personal challenges into a nationwide movement to support rural mothers across Australia. Stephanie’s transition from life in the city and a successful career in television journalism, to embracing farm life and rural motherhood in Tasmania, has been both a brutal and beautiful journey. Her struggles with postnatal depression and isolation inspired the creation of Motherland, a national charity that fervently advocates for the mental health and well-being of rural mothers, and celebrates and connects them through platforms like the Motherland podcast and Motherland Village program.

The Motherland podcast has been downloaded over one million times, and Motherland Village, Australia’s first online rural mother’s group program, has connected hundreds of rural women to their own personalised support group. In 2022, Stephanie was named the national winner of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award and in 2023, she celebrated the release of her debut book, Motherland. Stephanie also sits on the Australian Advisory Council of Thankful4Farmers.

Based in Tasmania
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Book Stephanie Trethewey Keynote Speaker: Rural Mental Health Advocate and Australian of the Year

Organisations that book Stephanie Trethewey keynote speaker engage one of Australia’s most compelling voices on mental health, resilience and community, recognised nationally as the 2024 Tasmanian Australian of the Year. Stephanie’s journey from city-based television journalist to isolated rural mother, and ultimately to founder of a national charity, gives her a rare authenticity that resonates deeply with corporate, agricultural and community audiences alike.

After swapping a successful media career for life on a remote Tasmanian dairy farm, Stephanie experienced firsthand the isolation and postnatal depression that so many rural mothers face in silence. Determined to build the support network she never had, she founded Motherland, a national charity dedicated to the mental health and wellbeing of rural mothers. The Motherland podcast has since been downloaded more than one million times, and Motherland Village, Australia’s first online support group program for rural mothers, has connected hundreds of women to personalised peer support.

Stephanie’s advocacy has earned significant recognition, including the national title in the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, and in 2023 she released her debut book, Motherland, sharing her story with a wider audience. As a motivational keynote speaker, she draws on this lived experience to deliver powerful presentations on mental health, isolation, community building and resilience, encouraging audiences to check in on one another and seek support when it is needed most.

Stephanie’s warmth, honesty and journalism background make her a natural, engaging presenter who connects instantly with any audience. Whether speaking at corporate conferences, agricultural events or community forums, she leaves audiences with practical tools for supporting mental health and a renewed sense of connection. Her story is a powerful reminder that vulnerability can become a catalyst for meaningful, lasting change. Based in Tasmania, Stephanie is available to speak at events across Australia.

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