Celebrating Connection, Growth & Gratitude: A Night to Remember at the Ignite Women Tasmania AGM 2025

On a crisp winter’s night at Spreyton Cider Co, the room was warm with laughter, conversation, and connection as women from across our community gathered for the 2025 Ignite Women Tasmania AGM and Celebration.

We began with deep respect and reflection acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land, the palawa people of lutruwita/Tasmania. As women coming together in community, we paid tribute to the wisdom, care, and storytelling of First Nations women and committed ourselves to walking gently on this land with gratitude and growing respect.

Then came the practical essentials like where to find the bar and loos (priorities!), and where to go if we needed to evacuate (without spilling your bubbles, of course).

With hearts full and spirits high, we launched into an evening that was equal parts meaningful and fun, true Ignite style.

More Than Just an AGM

AGMs can often be dry and formal. Ours? Not so much. This was a celebration. An empowering evening of reflection, laughter, and deep appreciation.

We welcomed new members who’ve recently found their way to our community (you’re going to fit right in!) and gave a huge thank you to our long standing members who continue to show up and give so much of themselves. Ignite wouldn’t be what it is without each and every one of you.

Financial Strength, Community Focus

Outgoing Treasurer Erica Jeffrey shared not only our solid financial standing but also the heart behind every dollar. Ignite is committed to keeping events affordable and accessible to all women.

Much of that success is thanks to the extraordinary efforts of Theresa Loughlin, who secured grant money to help Ignite. Her dedication and behind the scenes brilliance were acknowledged with heartfelt applause and more than a few misty eyes.

These funds allow us to do more, reach further, and support our community better than ever before.

A Year in Review: Moments That Mattered

Our Events Queen Trudi took us on a joyful recap of the year’s highlights:

Pottery & Meditation with Miranda & Anna

ChatGPT Business Breakfast hosted by Erica

Wellness Day by the Ocean: yoga, reflexology & a sea dip!

Christmas Party at Prems:  laughter, music, and gifts galore

Vision Boarding with Kelly Dern to kick off the new year

International Women’s Day with over 100 women in the room and voices that truly inspired

Mindful Art & Gong Bath in a Yurt with Megan, Yolanda & Gillian

DISC Workshop with Angela Revell to better understand ourselves

Martial Arts Empowerment Night where we welcomed new members and new energy

Each event was a reminder of what makes Ignite so special: the laughter, the learning, the safe space to just be.

Farewells with Gratitude

We also said a heartfelt thank you to some beautiful committee members who stepped down this year: 

Lynne our calm and kind membership officer 

Yolanda our storyteller and thoughtful secretary 

Trudi our event superstar and joy bringer 

Sophie our former President and passionate leader

You’ve each left your mark, and your presence will be felt in everything we continue to do.

Leadership with Heart

We officially welcomed our new President, Claire Fielding, whose warmth, gratitude, and vision lit up the room. She spoke from the heart about what this group means to her and how she never expected to find herself here, but is so glad she did.

Claire leads a team of powerhouse women, each stepping into key roles that will shape the year ahead:

• Erica Jeffrey – Vice President

• Theresa Loughlin – Secretary

• Gillian Binet – Social Media & Marketing

• Sam Baldock – Treasurer

• Annie Anderson – Memberships & Community Cultivator

• Renae O’Neill – Events

• Jill Reid – Grants

Together, they form a beautiful mix of experience, energy, and empathy, a committee ready to hold space, build connections, and keep the fire of Ignite burning brightly. 

Getting to Know the Committee – with a Twist

One of the most memorable moments of the evening, after the formalities, was a fun and fabulous game of Two Truths and a Lie. Every committee member submitted three statements about themselves, two were true, one was a lie and everyone in the room had to guess which one was the fib!

It was a hilarious and heartwarming way to discover some surprising and cheeky facts about the women who lead Ignite. Here’s what they revealed:

Trudi Wilson

• Trudi has met Chris Hemsworth here in little Tassie

• Trudi has been to prison

• Trudi has met TayTay at her Red Tour

Renae O’Neill

• Renae used to own a bridal store

• Renae once won karaoke on an overseas cruise

• Renae and her hubby eloped

Claire Fielding

• Claire has found over 50 four-leaf clovers in her life

• She forgot to pick up her daughter more than once

• Claire drinks 6 coffees a day

Annie Anderson

• Annie sang karaoke and partied all night with the cast of Hamilton in Melbourne

• Annie did the Hokey Pokey on stage in front of 300 people

• Annie danced in a flash mob

Theresa Loughlin

• Theresa ended up in a spa with Kel from Kath & Kim on a family holiday

• As a child, she used to stroll her pet cat Timothy around like a baby

• She won a $100 voucher for a nearest-to-pin competition at a corporate golf day

Jill Reid

• Jill fell off a moving train

• Jill sang at the Albert Hall in the UK

• Jill performed a magic trick to impress Trev, who became her husband

Erica Jeffrey

• Erica seriously dislikes watermelon

• Erica cried on the London Eye

• Erica loves country music

Sam Baldock

• Sam flipped an ATV motorbike as a teenager

• She was selected for Tasmania’s first Women’s State soccer team

• Sam can’t go without two cups of coffee a day

Gillian Binet

• Gillian has received a National Emergency Medal

• Gillian has flown a plane

• Gillian has walked the Overland Track

There were some very surprising truths in there and some wonderfully convincing lies! It reminded us all that behind every committee title is a woman with stories, quirks, and a great sense of humour.

Looking Ahead

The coming year promises to be one of deeper connection and continued evolution. We’ll be focusing on more informal, inclusive events, strengthening our online presence, and creating even more opportunities for members to share their stories, skills, and passions.

We’re not just a networking group.

We’re a family.

We’re a movement.

We’re a spark, and together, we Ignite.

If you’ve ever thought about stepping up, sharing an idea, or getting involved please do. The door is open, and your voice is welcome.

To every woman who joined us that night, thank you. Your laughter, energy, hugs, and generosity make this community what it is. Whether it was your first Ignite event or your fiftieth, we hope you felt the love, the power, and the sense of belonging that fills the room every time we gather.

Here’s to another year of supporting each other, celebrating each other, and rising together.