More than 400 members from across the drinks industry gathered on Friday, 6 March to mark International Women's Day at The Drinks Association's annual lunch, an event that continues to bring the sector together to reflect on progress and the work still ahead.
Sarah Abbott opened the event in her first year as Chair of the Embrace Difference Council, welcoming guests with a reflection on the origins of the day and a reminder that progress toward gender equity requires ongoing, intentional action.
"Gender equity is a shared business responsibility, not a women's issue," she said, encouraging attendees to consider the everyday actions available to them – from mentoring and sponsorship to recognising talent and challenging bias.
Attendees watched a video that celebrated the successes of the Embrace Difference Council over the past 12 months.
The popular event raffle, supported by prize donations from Drinks Association Category One Members, raised $22,000 for the Katrina Dawson Foundation, surpassing the $19,000 raised in 2025.
Scholarship recipient Phoebe Britten shared how the foundation's support had enabled her to pursue a law degree at the University of Sydney and build a pathway toward a career in human rights. During her studies, she also founded a nonprofit delivering free tutoring and support to disadvantaged students.
Spotlight speakers Jamila Diamonon and Kitty Johnstone explored the concept of “give to gain”, drawing on their own experiences of mentorship and sponsorship in the drinks industry. Both spoke about the people who had supported them and the importance of continuing to create opportunities for others.
"A sponsor is someone who advocates for you when you're not in the room," Jamila said, underscoring how much visible support can shape a career.
They encouraged everyone in the room to consider what they could give – time, mentorship, visibility – and how those actions could help strengthen the industry's leadership pipeline.
Keynote speaker Zara Seidler, co-founder of The Daily Aus, gave an engaging and candid presentation about building new pathways and challenging traditional expectations. She spoke about launching a social-first news platform as a side project in her early twenties and the value of backing new ideas and new voices.
"Not knowing the rules isn't a disadvantage. Sometimes it's the whole advantage," she said.
She also spoke about representation and the role leaders can play in opening doors for others.
"Every woman in this room has at some point been in a room that wasn't designed for her. Once you stay long enough in that room, make sure you leave that door open for someone else to walk through."
The event also marked Jade Hunter's first International Women's Day as Gender Equity Workstream Lead.
International Women's Day is a powerful opportunity for us to reflect on how far we've come whilst we recommit ourselves to the work that still lies ahead,” she said. “What I value most about today is the sense of community. We have a chance to listen, to learn and to champion one another, to lead with purpose, with integrity and with courage.”
View the full image gallery of the Drinks Association's 2026 International Women's Day event.
Event photography by Belinda Rolland.