The collective, Women of Australian Distilling, launched last week with a vision firmly in place to promote and supporting women and gender diverse people within the Australian Craft Distilling industry while collaborating with the industry’s peak associations and organisations.
Established in 2014, the team at WAD has been working at finding our footing and establishing its and has reached a point where it has now established an advisory board of industry leaders, including:
- Kathleen Davies (Chairperson) – Founder of Nip of Courage & NOC Wholesale
- Dervilla McGowan (Vice Chairperson) – Founder & Head Distiller at Anther Spirits
- Harriet Leigh (Treasurer & Secretary) – Head of Hospitality at Archie Rose Distilling Co.
- Nicole Lestal (Board member) – Communications & Program Manager at Spirits & Cocktails Australia
- Paul McLeay (Board member) – CEO of the Australian Distillers Association
Women of Australian Distilling will support the professional development of women and gender diverse people in roles across the whole spectrum of distilling from manufacture, ambassadorship to management and cellar door operations.
Founder of Women of Australian Distilling, Kathleen Davies, says that, “Women are often reluctant to talk up their accomplishments because they are often dismissed when they do. Women of Australian Distilling aims to help shine a light on women’s accomplishments, guide and encourage women in the industry to follow their passions within their chosen career.”
The organisation has brought in partnerships with a number of highly respected Australian drinks businesses and organisations, including a Senior Leadership Mentor Program with Spirits & Cocktails Australia with Brown-Forman’s VP and MD ANZPAC, Eveline Albarracin one of the mentors on the program, as well as a scholarship with Young Henrys.
The organisation launched with a board meeting and celebration on board the MV Kokomo on Tuesday, 7 March.
“The craft beer industry is a pretty fun and exciting place to be. It’s full of open-minded and interesting people but still has a way to go with regard to gender diversity. The Young Henrys Brewers Scholarship is our way of trying to show women (this includes all who identify as women) who may have considered a career in the brewing industry that we want you here, that there are great careers and workplaces waiting for you and that we truly believe the industry will be all the better for it!” said Oscar McMahon, Young Henrys co-founder.
The Young Henrys Brewing Scholarship is back for its second year providing mentorship to up-and-coming brewers across Australia. Young Henrys will fund the entire tuition for the recipient in 2023 including the Certificate III Food Processing (Micro Brewing) in partnership with TAFE NSW, alongside quarterly mentorship from YH’s Head Distiller Carla Daunton, Zoe Catterall from the Young Henrys Lab, and Mariel Santiago from the Young Henrys brew house.
Carla Daunton, Young Henrys Head Distiller, said, “I am looking forward to meeting this year’s recipient and to witness the continued growth of the careers of these high calibre brewers and distillers. I’m really excited to see the impact this opportunity will have not only on the brewer each year but also the industry as a whole by showing genuine and practical support for women in brewing and distilling.”
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