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We put a call-out to the women in Australian distilling to give us an insight into who they are, and why they chose this industry, here’s some of their responses! AMY SHAW Owner and Distiller at Hillmartin Gin Distillery, VIC HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? 1-3 years. WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY? My dad started to experiment with distilling during lockdown in 2020. I still remember when he messaged me a photo of the 30L still he had brought, I thought to myself 'he will never use that', but he did and I have him to thank for everything. As a big gin lover and like most daughters, I thought I knew best. As dad continued to develop his gins, I became more involved to fine tune the flavours and finishes. I started working nights and weekends with dad as I loved every aspect of distilling and growing our brand, the rest is history. YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY? My proudest moment was when our London Dry Gin was awarded Australia’s best London Dry Gin at the World Gin Awards in 2023. As a small young distillery with big dreams that award gave us the boost of confidence to push the limits and know our possibilities are endless. WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY? Prior to this I had never worked in the industry or hospitality for that matter. My background is corporate, the week I finished university I started working in finance and up until 2022. Most of my time in corporate I had worked in organisations with thousands of people but at HM Gin when we first started it was just dad and I. At times it has felt like I wear 10 different hats from marketing, sales, website development to production. Being a small team we need to be across so many things whilst competing with big players in the industry is challenging. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT AUSSIE CRAFT SPIRITS? Behind everyone craft spirit made in Australia there is an incredible amount of thought, passion and love that goes into it. Most craft distillers are putting everything they have into their business simply for the love. WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF? Always be your biggest fan. WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL TALENT/PARTY TRICK? My special talent is never losing at the Basketball arcade game Hoops. I’ve never played basketball but for some reason I never miss. WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR? My dad. He probably should be retired relaxing on a beach somewhere but instead he works 7 days a week and is always looking for ways he and HM Gin can improve.

International Women’s Day is the one day a year where globally, we stop and celebrate women's achievements, acknowledge the presence of women in every environment, and stand against inequality and lack of inclusion. But why do we limit it to just one day a year? As a person, it’s important to feel included – to feel represented in every environment you step into. That’s why inspiring inclusion is something we need to live by and practice every day. To amplify this message, I want to recall a story from when my mother was nearing the end of her high school experience. Her male career advisor asked what she wanted to be and she agreed to completing a Tafe certification in travel and administration. With this certificate, she ended up working in the travel industry for 15+ years. However, the other day she was telling us how she had wished she had gone on to university and studied further. She had the marks, she was smart, but because she came from a low socioeconomic area and a Portuguese immigrant family, her career advisor told her that she should focus on something more ‘attainable’, like a career in travel administration as she would ‘eventually end up being a mother’. When I persisted and asked my mum why she didn’t just ignore what he had said and do what she thought was best for herself – she shrugged and said “I didn’t see people like myself at university… Instead, they were cleaners, stay at home mother’s… Women like me don’t go to university.” Perhaps if she had seen women like herself in different industries, she wouldn’t have settled for something her heart wasn’t set on. To me, this was a shock. I was fortunate to have grown up in a family and a schooling environment where I was encouraged to pursue an education – a career – and still hold hopes of being a part of a family unit. This year’s theme of ‘Inspire Inclusion’ is extremely important and brilliant – but are we a little too late? Women should be celebrated in every aspect of their life, no matter their life path – a wife, a mother, a business owner, a doctor – we need to have every kind of woman in every walk of life to inspire younger women to do what they want to. Be who they want to be. Not to be held back, and thrown in one direction when their hearts lay in another. Inclusion shows women that they can do anything that they want if they put their mind to it. Having women from different cultures, races, sexualities, etc. is extremely important. So that one day, we won’t have young girls being held back from what they want. Let them be distillers, doctors, business owners, university professors, astronauts, mothers, wives. As long as they have options to choose from because they were included in the decisions that will create their life. Inspire Inclusion. So, women don’t have to settle.

We put a call-out to the women in Australian distilling to give us an insight into who they are, and why they chose this industry, here’s some of their responses! DEBRA CLAYTON Director and Co-Owner of Puss & Mew Distillery, VIC HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? 4-7 years. WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY? I found the world of gin and whisky captivating and filled with diverse flavors and intriguing histories. The artistry of distillation, the alchemy of aging, and the endless array of botanical to experiment with is so exciting. Every bottle made reflects a unique journey of its creation. The cultural and historical contexts in which spirits have evolved is fascinating and I wanted to be a part of that world. We had a need to choose our own adventure in life, a desire to be creative in what we do in our lives and change it's course to become something completely our own and so we left our day jobs and began our journey in the industry. YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY? Being crowned the Victorian Distiller of the Year in 2023 was our proudest moment. It was not expected and even to have been shortlisted amongst some of the best of the best in our industry was the most humbling experience. WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY? Time! We have so many ideas and love experimenting and trying new things, however, between distilling, masterclasses, and running a venue there is just enough time to get some sleep if we are lucky! WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT AUSSIE CRAFT SPIRITS? The thriving community of distillers across Australia is dedicated to pushing boundaries and redefining traditions, resulting in an array of unique and daring concoctions that showcase the diversity of our country. We have the most beautiful native botanicals to be innovative and experimental with, each bottle tells a story of passion and artistry. The Aussie craft spirits continue to gain recognition on both domestic and international fronts and it is an exciting time to be a part of this. Unfortunately, the return on investment is not as great for us here then it is overseas. We need the support from Australians to keep the industry alive. WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF? Don't sweat the small stuff it really is not worth your time and energy. Choose your own adventure, be happy in what you do and make a plan towards that. Listen more. Stay in the moment, its so fleeting and you can not re-create that time. WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL TALENT/PARTY TRICK? Haha - Once upon a time I was a very talented swimmer. I love the water it's the only place I can completely switch off from the noise. I come up with my best ideas when floating in the water. I also have an expert Teacher Voice (also from my previous life) which can stop anyone from doing anything at anytime (also works well at a bar when you're trying to get people out on a Saturday night haha). ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT US TO KNOW? The most important thing for us is to give people an amazing experience, to share our adventure and story and the stories behind the history of distillation and spirit. WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR? Lyn Lark, Lyn did all of the distilling work at Lark in the early days, she was the first to use native botanicals, into an Australian distilled spirit. She was the first full time distiller at Sullivans Cove. Lyn was a very hard worker and had a vision, she worked with Bill to create a legacy for her family. I'm sure it was not an easy path. She kept a low profile in the public eye and I admire her for all she has achieved.

We put a call-out to the women in Australian distilling to give us an insight into who they are, and why they chose this industry, here’s some of their responses! BRIE WARDEN Assistant Distiller at Billson's Beverages, VIC HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? 1-3 years. WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY? I have loved whisky since visiting and living in Scotland. I loved doing all of the distillery tours and tastings, I couldn’t get enough. I got into gin during covid and my mum directed me towards Billson's - a local brewery/distillery to apply for once lockdowns ended. Working in the tasting room, my interest in gin grew and I would often help Trev, our lone distiller at the time, bottle and label our gin. I had the opportunity to join the distilling team from there and grow my interest even further. YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY? Creating my first gin from R&D and recipe development to bottling and hand labeling the finished product. Even now whenever I see one of my products out in the world, on socials or on the shelf at the tasting room, I feel extremely proud. I am also proud of growing my confidence in a little over a year from just a helping hand to confidently managing the distillery space and all of the challenges that come with it. WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY? One of the biggest challenges I face along with every other woman in the industry, is gender bias - I am often referred to as the “female distiller” whilst my male colleagues simply get “distiller". This attaches gender to my vocation, reaffirming gender stereotypes (conscious or unconscious) implying that I am not inherently suited to the profession of distilling due to my gender identity. When people see me as the “female distiller” it diminishes my authority and contribution to the industry by underestimating my abilities and negatively setting me apart. Due to the ratio of female to male distillers, it is imperative to celebrate women and other genders within this industry through championing our contribution and breaking gender bias. It is easy to fall into tokenistic gestures with good intentions, however it is important to celebrate our achievements rather than point out our differences. It is also a massive challenge to find durable women’s workwear that isn’t pink! WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT AUSSIE CRAFT SPIRITS? The vast amount of craft distilleries in Australia with world class spirits is mindblowing - visit and taste as many and as much as you can. WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF? It’s okay not to know what you want to do when you grow up, opportunities will present themselves to you (but maybe don’t waste your time on that teaching degree). WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL TALENT/PARTY TRICK? My special talent is all things craft and being able to pick up any new craft quickly from painting to lino printing and cross stitch to crochet. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT US TO KNOW? The work this organisation does to promote and support women and gender diverse people in this industry is amazing. It’s comforting to feel a part of a community of likeminded people in such a male dominated industry. I’ve met some amazing people through Women of Australian Distilling and now have some amazing women in the industry to look up to. Thank you! WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR? Trev - my mentor and friend. One of the smartest people I know, he has taught be everything I know in this industry. He has been extremely patient and supportive of me and treated me like an equal. There are also many inspiring women in the distilling industry; Holly Klintworth, Carlie Dyer, Lisa Macrae and Leslie Gracie, just to name a few - I'd love to meet and work with them one day.

We put a call-out to the women in Australian distilling to give us an insight into who they are, and why they chose this industry, here’s some of their responses! LUCY O'BRIEN Distiller at Lawrenny Estate Distillery, TAS HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? 1-3 years. WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY? Throughout my 10+ years of hospitality experience, I had the privilege to work in a number of incredible venues where I was exposed to the weird and wonderful world of spirits and cocktail bartending. I was drawn to the intricacies of sensory analysis, and the vast array of aromas and flavours that one singular spirit was crafted to emit. I often pondered about the science and processes behind each spirit, which inevitably led me to my position in the industry today. With an ever growing love and appreciation for whisky (having both Irish and Scottish ancestry), I decided to make the move from FNQ to Tasmania, a space where the craft whisky industry is flourishing. 3 months after making the move, I commenced my role at Lawrenny Estate Distillery. YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY? My proudest moment would have to be when I secured my position as a distiller; a mere 9 months after working in the bottling, cellar door sales and events role for Lawrenny Estate Distillery. WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY? The biggest challenge I have found is definitely the constant realisation that ‘the more you know, the more you realise you don’t know’. It is a challenge, but also a driving factor to learn and gain as much knowledge as possible in order to progress in this industry. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT AUSSIE CRAFT SPIRITS? Although, in comparison to our international counterparts we are still relatively new to the distilling game; I always implore others to explore the incredible range of craft spirits that Australia continues to produce. There is a reason why our spirits are bringing home numerous gold medals from competitions such as the San Francisco Spirit Awards and World Whisky Masters. Why not support your local distilleries, rather than gravitate towards the less costly big brand international distilleries. WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF? Be patient with yourself. Good things take time and the right path will show itself when you are ready for it. WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL TALENT/PARTY TRICK? I’ve been playing the ukulele for close to 10 years now. So I love to share this talent with those that appreciate a little song to brighten their day. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT US TO KNOW? Never stop reading, researching and learning. Even whilst completing the most menial tasks, you can gain knowledge from completing if you’re open to it. WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR? The people that have inspired me would have to be my colleagues. Our Head Distiller Joe Dinsmoor, for being such an incredible mentor and all up extremely talented human being when it comes to every aspect of this industry. As well as my colleague Chloe Oppitz. Without the knowledge that I have learnt and continue to learn from Chloe, I wouldn’t be the distiller that I am today.

We put a call-out to the women in Australian distilling to give us an insight into who they are, and why they chose this industry, here’s some of their responses! LAURETH RUMBLE Co-Owner and Founder of Reef Distillers, QLD HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? Less than 1 year WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY? "We have been involved in the hospitality industry for quite a few decades and it has been a dream of ours to venture into the distilling industry. We joined forces with our friends who have been in the industry for nearly a decade to start up a new distillery on the QLD coast, inspired by the Great Barrier Reef." YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY? "Working with local producers and farmers to source sustainable, pesticide free and organic produce for our spirits. Being inspired by the landscape and environment we live and work in makes us so proud of what we have created." WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY? "The regulation in terms of a start up and the endless paperwork can easily put you off." WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT AUSSIE CRAFT SPIRITS? "Australia's immense and varied landscape and environment lends itself to exciting flavour profiles and innovation. There is so much to explore and experiment with in terms of the native flora." WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF? "'Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.' —Jean-Jacques Rousseau." WHAT IS YOUR PARTY TRICK? "My special talent is bringing people together in collaborations to create extraordinary experiences and products. I am a very visual and aesthetic person and bringing beauty into the world in whatever form that may take is something I am passionate about. I also love making cocktails, so that would be my party trick!" WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR? "My mother Martina is one of my great sources of inspiration. She was a force to be reckoned with. Strong, feisty and hard working. Yet at the same time so filled with love, passion and endurance. She would always find a solution to any problem she faced. We have also named our 200 litre copper still in her honour. She passed away from a brain tumour in April 2021. The photo of me is standing next to our still "Martina"." ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WANT US TO KNOW? "We are so passionate about sustainable business and local procurement that this is the cornerstone of our business. We love supporting local farmers, suppliers and trades. We use the highest quality organic and pesticide free produce and botanicals we can find. We support conservation, recycling and reducing waste as much as possible. Our background in ecotourism and being the first solar powered island on the Great Barrier Reef and beyond carbon neutral will form a strong base for our distilling business and future endeavors."

We put a call-out to the women in Australian distilling to give us an insight into who they are, and why they chose this industry, here’s some of their responses! Jennifer Hunt Director and Head Distiller at Lily Fields Distilling Co, NSW HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? Less than 1 year WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY? "I've been a Drug Development Chemist in the pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years and about 3 years ago I started to feel I wanted to do something (really) different. The idea or dream of opening my own distillery came about because I felt that I could use my chemistry and scientific experience to develop, distill and manufacture some pretty special spirits. There was 2-3 years of research, planning, product development, obtaining licensing, finding a suitable venue for the distillery before launching in November 2022. I quit my pharma job at the same time which was a huge risk financially, but sometimes you just have to go for it and back yourself and your capability. I've never worked so hard, but I've also never had so much fun and the reward you get from that is something truly special. I still to this day can't believe how much I've been able to use my chemistry background at the distillery - the chemistry of what's actually happening at a molecular level in the still, new product development methodology, obtaining consistency, the analytical mind, the list goes on and on. Every day I learn or relate something new and that is super exciting." YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY? "The recent Trophy, Best in Class Award in the 2023 Australian Gin Awards for our Juniper Dry Gin in the Classic Dry Gin Class. There was so much risk in starting this new business - quitting a successful career and changing to a new industry, it took a lot of guts and I'm super proud. This trophy confirmed I have made the right decision, and I couldn't be prouder to achieve such a prestigious trophy so soon." WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY? "At the same time as launching the distillery we launched a garden bar in the middle of the beer garden at the Leichhardt Bowling Club. Reflecting, this was like launching two businesses at the same time. We had zero hospitality experience and you can imagine its rather different to doing research at a computer or running tests or trials in a laboratory! It's one of the best decisions we have made though, it's been such a great way to let people trial our products, hear our story and the directors and staff at the bowlo are all legends and super supportive. The R&D of making new drinks is pretty fun too." WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT AUSSIE CRAFT SPIRITS? "Support Australian Distillers and Spirits. So many people don't realize that as Australians we import the majority of spirits from overseas. Buy Australian! And the tax! Australian spirits are one of the highest taxed spirits in the world. On a $78 bottle of gin they take 10% GST in addition to about $30 per bottle in excise. This needs to change." WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF? "You should have started this journey earlier. Its honestly like it was meant to be. But go back 5 years ago and I don't think I had even remotely considered doing something like this. There was multiple things that happened, including COVID lockdown and spending so much time at home that meant I had time to reassess how I wanted to spend the rest of my career - I still have to sort of kick myself to realize what we have done. Sometimes you just believe in yourself (and worry about the finances later)." WHAT IS YOUR PARTY TRICK? "I can make Gin disappear!" WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR? "The distillery literally started as a dream, and I sat on the idea in my head for a while before telling my husband Shannon. I thought he would just laugh at me, but the first response was "Do it". It was his trust and believe that I could do it is what inspired me to do this and I'll never forget that. I was also super proud when Holly Klintworth became the first female president for the Australian Distillers association. Ive never met her but I hope to one day." ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WANT US TO KNOW? "You be hard pressed to find someone more passionate in what they do - I'm not at all scared of hard work and I have so many ideas - what this space!"

We put a call-out to the women in Australian distilling to give us an insight into who they are, and why they chose this industry, here’s some of their responses! JANE HOLCOMBE Owner and Director at Holcombe Distillery, VIC HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? 1 to 3 years. WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY? "Distilling also allows me to combine my passions- for creativity, attention to detail, and love for experimentation. I love the idea of creating something that brings joy and pleasure to people's lives, and the distilling industry provides the perfect platform for me to do just that." YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY? "One of my proudest moments was receiving gold and silver medals at the spirit awards. As the judging process is independent blind tastings & judges having no knowledge of the brands or distillers. This recognition validated the quality and excellence of my gins. It was a humbling experience to know that my creations stood out among a pool of talented distillers and were appreciated by experts in the field." WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY? "Distribution and Sales - securing distribution channels and establishing a strong sales network." WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT AUSSIE CRAFT SPIRITS? "Australian craft spirits are quite unique and diverse. Australian distillers are innovative and creative in their approach to crafting spirits and love to celebrate our country's distinctive ingredients." WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF? "If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be to embrace entrepreneurship earlier and not be afraid to take risks. Being an entrepreneur comes with its share of challenges and uncertainties, but it also opens up a world of opportunities and fulfillment." WHAT IS YOUR PARTY TRICK? "I love people and am genuinely interested in their stories, I enjoy a party and creating memorable experiences for others." WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR? "In the spirits industry, there are several inspirational women: Helen Mulholland, Sophie Decobecq, Lynnette Marrero & Dr. Rachel Barrie. They all showed determination, expertise, and creativity. We need more though, so I hope one day I help inspire future generations of women in the industry too." ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WANT US TO KNOW? "I’m a mother, I have 2 children and I work full-time in the corporate world while also building my own gin business. Juggling responsibilities and pursuing my passion simultaneously isn’t easy but I have a strong drive to succeed."

We put a call-out to the women in Australian distilling to give us an insight into who they are, and why they chose this industry, here’s some of their responses! JAINE EIRA Head of Spirits and Operations Manger at The Catfish Bar, VIC HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? 8 to 10 years. WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY? "I've been a hospitality professional for 18 years, and I'm highly passionate about drinks in general, but for the past 9 years of my career I've chosen to specialise in whisky and Australian craft spirits. My love of whisky began with an obsession with Scotland, but evolved from there. Whisky will always be my favourite child, not only due to personal taste, but due to the 'magic' of the spirit - the diversity of expressions that can be produced from just three simple ingredients: grain, water, yeast. For me, whisky is not just about the spirit, but about history, community, and culture. This ties into my passion for Australian craft - while Scotch whisky is now largely commercialised (with exceptions), ours is still a burgeoning industry. We are at the grassroots level, and who doesn't want to get involved in building history, community, and culture?" YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY? "I'm always learning, so proud moments happen frequently! Becoming the Head of Spirits and then Operations Manager of one of my favourite bars - The Catfish - will always feel like achievement unlocked, and passing my WSET in Spirits with Distinction is a vindication of my years of study. Selling the country out of Glen Moray in my first year as BA is both a point of pride and a hindrance to my job! But more than anything I'm proud of the relationships that I have built and of my reputation in the industry." WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY? "It sounds banal, but the biggest challenge for me has been gender. Hospitality management is a male dominated field, and particularly in my early years I had to fight hard to gain and retain respect and positions of seniority. I was told I wasn't allowed in cellars because they were dangerous and dirty. I was told I couldn't be a manager because it wasn't safe for a woman to be alone in the venue at night. I was told women can't effectively deal with troublesome patrons. We still see women relegated to floor while men run the bar, which leaves us in the dust for career progression. The industry has come along way, but the micro-aggressions occur near daily. Whisky is even worse. While at the helm of one of Melbourne's whisky bars I was frequently challenged on whether I even drank the stuff, let alone knew anything about it. Whisky shows aren't much better, and social media groups are the worst - we can't even get people to stop addressing posts to the lads/gents." WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT AUSSIE CRAFT SPIRITS? "That the industry as we know it today is younger than I am (again, with exceptions). That when I started in hospitality the only Australian examples you would see behind the bar were Bundaberg, or *maybe* St Agnes, but that we've expanded at a rate of 10+ distilleries per year on average. That not all Australian whiskies come from Tasmania, in fact we have whisky distilleries in every state (and my favourite is from SA). That might be more than one thing but I feel like they're related points." WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF? "That it's better to be yourself than to be liked, and often the latter will follow the former." WHAT IS YOUR PARTY TRICK? "Double joints. Most of them." WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR? "It varies depending on the area of the industry. In hospitality I have a network of amazing friends who inspire me daily. As a BA I look up to Jonathan Minihan for his knowledge and passion, and Georgie Mann for her energy and innovation. In whisky production I'm most interested in blending, and I've had great chats with Fleurieu's Angela Andrews and Starward's Carlie Dyer. Dr. Rachel Barrie is the person I'd most like to meet. Show me a badass woman in any area of this industry - someone who knows their shit and doesn't take shit about it - and I'll be inspired."

It's time to have a conversation about women missing out on opportunities in their career. Argh! Time after time I see roles advertised in the liquor industry and there are not enough women applying for these roles whether it's an Ambassador role, a Distiller position or a management role. As women I believe at one stage or another we purposely derail our own careers without knowing it. And why, I believe it is because of imposter syndrome. What is imposter syndrome? noun: imposter syndrome the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills. "people suffering from impostor syndrome may be at increased risk of anxiety" Imposter syndrome haunts us in many forms: Experiencing a lack of self confidence A feeling of inadequacy Constant comparison to other people Feelings of anxiety Doubting yourself Lack of confidence in your own capabilities Speaking negatively about yourself Dwelling on the past Irrational fears of the future Shrugging off accolades Not applying to job postings unless you meet every single requirement I try to touch on this subject each time someone gives me a microphone. At one stage or another I feel that we all experience at least one of the points listed above. How do we move forward as women from thinking this way when our next big career opportunity arises? My personal tips for helping to overcome self doubt when applying for our next dream job; Think like a man and wing it. Men don't always tick the boxes when applying for roles that they really want, so why should we? Men just have a crack whether they tick all of the boxes for a role or not. They say fake it 'til you make it...have a crack! Don't fear failure or rejection. The best lessons in life are learnt when we fail or don't get the job that we really wanted...just learn from your failures and get up and have another crack. It's called resilience, thicken that skin up and stop dwelling on why it didn't happen! It's OK to fail. Talk dirty and get a bloody grip. 'I can't do it. I won't get it. I'm not smart enough'...blah blah blah blah... it's getting old so stop talking to yourself like you would your worst enemy. Ask yourself would you speak to your child like that or your best friend? Be self aware and be kind to yourself. It's much easier said than done. You could start by saying to yourself under your breath 'I know I can, I am smart, I've got this, I'm a hot sexy [insert something provocative here] '...the dirtier that you talk to yourself the more it will stick in your head ;) You do truly deserve it. A new year is just around the corner. C'mon take a deep breath and pull your big girl undies up, wing it, start talking dirty to yourself like a long lost lover and start having a crack at awesome opportunities in your career! I dare you x

We put a call-out to the women in Australian distilling to give us an insight into who they are, and why they chose this industry, here’s some of their responses! JONTI MURRAY Assistant Distiller at Flinders Gin, SA HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? Less than 1 year. WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY? "My first introduction to gin was as an 18 year old on a train from London to Edinburgh. I spent the 4 hour train ride guzzling beefeater gin with a not so generous splash of tonic. Gin has been my drink of choice ever since. I first heard about Flinders Gin when my Mum met Leah and Alby at a market and bought me a bottle of their Butterfly Pea Flower gin. I was instantly curious at the prospect of a gin distillery using native ingredients found in the Flinders Rangers. I have always had a deep connection to Outback Australia, from spending time in Birdsville with my family growing up and hiking through the Flinders Rangers as an adult. I love the idea of taking advantage of the incredible botanicals and native flora that we have in Outback Australia and introducing people to new and exciting ingredients." YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY? "My most proud moment in the industry to date has been making my own ferment to later be turned into my first ever bottle of gin. It may seem pretty normal and is something that I have repeated again already and I'm sure will be repeating many times over but I was overwhelming proud to have made my first bottle of gin from scratch. From starting the fermentation to flavouring with local Quandongs and finally hand bottling and labelling the final product." WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY? "I started with Flinders Gin with no prior experience distilling. I am grateful that Leah and Alby were keen to take me on in their rapidly growing business. From day one I have been hands on in the distillery and having to pick up skills and processes quickly. Flinders Gin has expanded their distillery and tasting room, taking on more people through the door everyday and bigger quantities of gin to produce, as well as experimenting with new flavours and even new forms of alcohol. In a lot of ways I have felt like I'm trying to join in on an already swinging jump rope. Luckily, Leah and Alby have been extremely patient and detailed with my training even offering further study through external avenues." WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT AUSSIE CRAFT SPIRITS? "One thing I would tell someone who doesn't know anything about Aussie craft spirits is about the importance of the process that is used and the opportunity it presents to showcase a local region." WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF? "If I could go back and have a conversation with my younger self I would tell her that she is much more capable than she thinks she is. Working in any kind of trade job seemed far fetched for a girl who has only worked front of house. Since starting my job here at Flinders Gin I have surprised myself greatly. From aligning pipe work in the still to working machinery, this job is very well rounded and allows me to grow in many ways within my career in distilling." WHAT IS YOUR PARTY TRICK? "My party trick is that I can crack a whip. I have spent time in outback Queensland with my family and love the bush lifestyle. My dad taught me how to crack a whip when I was young and bought me my first whip. I like to 'whip' this party trick out every now and then." WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR? "The person who has inspired me the most in my career has been my mentor Alby. He is an incredible business man and passionate about his craft. He is a fantastic teacher and really does act as an open book. He has a wealth of knowledge and super motivated to pass on everything he knows to me, and just about any one who will listen." ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WANT US TO KNOW? "I love the platform and promotion that Women of Australian distilling do. It’s so empowering and impactful and I hope I can inspire more women to join the industry!"

We put a call-out to the women in Australian distilling to give us an insight into who they are, and why they chose this industry, here’s some of their responses! CARLIE DYER Blender & Distiller at Starward, VIC HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? 4-7 years WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE INDUSTRY? "I started my journey in the wine industry in 2011 and the blossoming craft spirits industry in 2018 really appealed to me and lured me in!" YOUR MOST PROUD MOMENTS IN THE INDUSTRY? "When Starward launched into the USA in 2019 I was featured in the New York Times. That’s pretty neat! I’m also proud of how well we have done in the San Francisco Spirits awards in 2022 & 2023, as a Blender I hold our whiskies pretty close to heart." WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY? "The lack of female representation has been a challenge. There are many misconceptions around women & whisky and as much as we are moving away from this it's still there to some degree. In saying that, female and non binary presence is definitely expanding and in my time within the industry I've seen exponential growth in whisky becoming a more inclusive and diverse drink, which we really champion at Starward. Whisky is for everyone!" WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT AUSSIE CRAFT SPIRITS? "Australia has over 300 distilleries making top quality spirits that have won best of their category in the world. Find out what’s near you and go check them out and support and buy local!" WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF? "That my future would lie in spirits instead of Audio engineering! That would have saved me a bit of time and money with studies haha." WHAT IS YOUR PARTY TRICK? "I can play guitar, drums and sing and also do the worm/caterpillar. Not at the same time unfortunately." WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR? "Rachel Barrie master blender of GlenDronach, BenRiach and Glenglassaugh. She’s a legend and genius, I hope my resume looks as good as hers in the future." ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WANT US TO KNOW? "I love the platform and promotion that Women of Australian distilling do. It’s so empowering and impactful and I hope I can inspire more women to join the industry!"