about us

Although 'on the drawing board' for a couple of years - the Tablelands Business Women's Network had its inaugural dinner meeting in April 2004 at the Malanda Dairy Centre.

This meeting was attended by over 80 eager and energetic women from across the Tablelands.

From this first meeting emerged a Foundation Taskforce - Rhonda Sorensen, Lyn O'Connor, Liz Duncombe, Marcy Urken, Lesley Moseley, Jane Lamont, Carmel Panther, Trish Nemani, Jeanette Harvey, Dagmar Hoellerer, Jan Naismith, Maria Pesavento and Sue Fairley - that took up the challenge of bringing the group to formalisation and its first Annual General Meeting in September 2004.

During this meeting, TBWN was launched by the Honourable Desley Boyle, member for Cairns and Minister for Environment, Local Government, Planning and Women.

The TBWN is not just about dinner meetings once a month. It is a professional club offering support and development opportunities for women and men from all walks of life and personal or professional backgrounds interested in: business; developing themselves, their families, and their communities and the Tablelands as a whole.

TBWN is to become a forum for networking, expertise, mentoring and training, as well as showcasing the Tableland's rich diversity in products and talents.

Strong and dynamic leadership has produced and developed this successful organisation. The TBW Network thanks all the past and present Comittee members for the time, creativity and business skills donated by them to build and grow the organisation.

Special thanks to our fabulous Presidents:

PRESIDENT 2008-2009 Leslie Tye-Parsons
After living in a number of countries, Leslie recently returned to her home town of Atherton to live in what she says is ‘the best place in the world’. Leslie is a Civil Celebrant who creates unique and memorable wedding ceremonies and heartfelt funeral services - www.athertonweddings.com.au. With university degrees in the ‘caring’ disciplines, and a professional background in counselling, teaching and management, she is a born organiser who enjoys a challenge and helping others. 2009 President's Report

PRESIDENT 2006-2008 Louise Nielsen
My background is in retail management and training. I hold a dip: in Frontline Management and a Cert 1V in Training & Assessment.I currantly work for the National Australia Bank and am married with 3 grown children, I've lived on the tablelands for 8 years and can't imagine living any where else. 2007 President's Report | 2008 President's Report

PRESIDENT 2005-2006 Liz Hughes
Having taught Phys. Ed. in Malanda & Atherton for 20 years, I retired in 1996 to take over my daughter's wholesale plant nursery. Beantree Nursery now needs eight employees and we sell plants Australia-wide although mostly within Queensland. I'm hoping to retire for a second time by the end of the year.
2006 President's Report

PRESIDENT 2004-2005 Jeanette Harvey
Taking over the reins from Rhonda gave me a wonderful opportunity to move TBWN to its next phase. Some fine foundations were laid and the organisation became incorporated. We made a great splash into the community with our Ladies Race day commemorating International Women's Year - which may become an annual event. Though virginal in this role - I believe the experience has been a fabulous opportunity to participate and to develop personally. 2005 President's Report

FOUNDATION PRESIDENT 2004 Cr Rhonda Sorensen

Rhonda fiercely promotes sustainable development that retains the quality of life, character and identity of our rural and remote communities. Her strong vision to create prosperous and vibrant rural communities includes rewarding our farmers for being good stewards of the land, roads, freight, and communications infrastructure.