Women Who Venture
A Night of Empowerment, Connection and Community
By Karoline Wasiak
Mid this year, the Venture Hunting & Outdoors megastore in Brisbane transformed into a vibrant hub of community, storytelling and celebration of outdoor women. More than 100 ladies gathered for the inaugural Women Who Venture event. Hosted by Kahlee Andrews from Devote Digital and Catherine Sayce from New Zealand, the evening was designed to showcase, entertain and support women in the world of hunting, conservation, fishing, outdoors and adventure.
The event combined film, education and authentic storytelling in an environment that was equal parts inclusive and inspiring.
The panel were more than happy to share their adventures and answer questions from the more than 100 women in attendance.
The night kicked off with the premiere of a short film featuring alpine hunter Melanie Kirley. The Melbourne born, now Townsville-based hunter took the audience on a journey through her experiences stalking fallow bucks during the Tasmanian rut, reflecting on the solitude, challenge and spiritual reward of hunting in remote landscapes. Melanie’s story emphasised respect for animals, the power of silence and the deep personal growth that comes from spending time in the wild.
The event also featured interactive sessions designed to build practical skills in a supportive environment. Attendees were invited to talk one-on-one or in small groups with each of the panellists, which gave everyone the opportunity to ask about fieldcraft, gear selection and bush navigation, as well as general skills essential to both newcomers and experienced hunters alike.
The highlight of the night was the entertaining, engaging and powerful panel discussion featuring four extraordinary women, each bringing a unique perspective on life in the wilderness.
Melanie Kirley further elaborated on her philosophy of ethical hunting during the talk, describing how patience, stillness, and humility are essential to success in the bush. Her call for respectful representation in outdoor media struck a chord with many in the audience. It was great to hear her story about growing up as a hunter.
Joining her was Rachel Lynch, co-founder of the delicious Dog & Gun Coffee and a newcomer to compound bowhunting. Rachel shared her journey into the sport, candidly speaking about the initial doubts and barriers she faced and how mentorship and community helped her find confidence. Her message was clear: women belong in the field, and their stories are worth telling. Being outdoors is good for the mind, body and soul.
Alex Edwards, a New Zealand-born spear fisher and recent silver medallist at the 2023 Spearfishing World Championships, offered a unique perspective from the ocean. She emphasised sustainable harvesting practices and the overlap between underwater hunting and terrestrial skills such as tracking, reading terrain and decision-making in high-stakes environments. Her energy and cross-discipline experience broadened the evening’s scope beyond rifles and bows.
Rounding out the panel was Karla Pound, a seasoned outback guide currently working as an expedition leader for National Geographic, former ranger and survivalist featured on television series Alone Australia. With a background in zoology and years spent piloting helicopters and leading remote expeditions, Karla brought a rugged, no-nonsense approach to bushcraft. She spoke passionately about the emotional strength required to survive solo in the wild and encouraged women to learn practical survival skills not just for safety, but to connect more deeply with nature.
What’s remarkable is that every woman who was up on the stage that night, had turned her passion into a career – living their best lives!
The most powerful takeaway of the night was community. Many attendees expressed how rare and valuable it was to find such a welcoming atmosphere within the broader outdoor world.
Women Who Venture is already more than just a single event. More than 50 attendees have now joined an Instagram Group Chat – a community space that will continue to build and grow as Venture Hunting & Outdoors looks to create specialised events for female community members. Ultimately, the goal is to build a national community of women who hunt, fish, forage and explore the wild – an initiative that will help to protect and shape the culture of hunting in Australia.
