Tickets are now on sale for the Drinks Association’s 2026 International Women’s Day Lunch, one of the industry’s most anticipated events. Now in its 13th year, the event shines a spotlight on the women shaping our industry while inviting everyone to be part of the conversation on equity.
We are delighted to announce that Zara Seidler, co-founder of The Daily Aus, will be the keynote speaker at our event on Friday, 6 March 2026.
Zara has redefined how young Australians engage with news and current affairs. Since launching The Daily Aus in 2017, she has grown the platform from a side hustle into the fastest-growing youth news company in Australia, reaching over a million people each month with clear, accessible storytelling. In 2022, she was recognised on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and in 2023, she co-authored the bestselling book No Silly Questions, equipping young Australians to be part of the nation’s most important conversations.
Passionate about the role of International Women’s Day, Zara says, “It is a place to celebrate women, but also to bring men along for the journey. Women know what the problem is, but men need to be part of the solution as well.” She also notes that younger generations are demanding more than symbolic gestures: “Young people can see straight through when something is inauthentic. They want industries and government to really walk the walk.”
Zara’s leadership style combines strength with compassion, authenticity with transparency, and she is driven by the belief that amplifying diverse voices leads to lasting impact. Her story reflects the courage to challenge the status quo and the vision to inspire new generations.
Join us as Zara shares her journey of entrepreneurship, leadership and purpose, revealing how courage, creativity and conviction can break barriers, challenge norms and pave the way for lasting change.