WATAC Conference 2025
More than 120 people — predominantly women of all ages from across Australia — gathered at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney, from 14–16 November for the national Women and the Australian Church (WATAC) Conference.
With the theme Shining Bright, Living Loud, Standing Together, the conference set the tone for a dynamic, hope-filled weekend designed to inspire and sustain women committed to a church that is inclusive, diverse and welcoming. Across three rich days, participants encountered a vibrant alternative to hierarchical and clerical models of church life and were invited to imagine what becomes possible when faith is lived in creative, collaborative community.
Inspiring voices, grounded wisdom
The conference featured two outstanding keynote speakers:
- Dr Julia Baird, award-winning journalist and bestselling author, widely respected for her writing on awe, grace, faith, gender and power.
- Cathy McGowan AO, former independent Member of Parliament for Indi (2013–2019), a pioneer of community-led politics, and a long-time member of WATAC.
Conference organiser Danielle Anne Lynch reflected on the depth of engagement across the weekend:
“We were thrilled that the conference theme resonated so deeply and that participants engaged so wholeheartedly with every aspect of the program.”
A church shaped by discipleship of equals
While WATAC’s roots are Catholic, its membership is ecumenical and its commitment broadly Christian. WATAC works alongside diverse churches and faith communities to model new ways of being church, grounded in a discipleship of equals. Through regular gatherings, reflections and written communications, WATAC nurtures and supports those seeking a more just, inclusive and participatory church.
Founded in 1984 as a national project of Catholic religious women and men, WATAC held its first national conference in 1987. After nearly folding in 2019, the organisation has experienced a strong resurgence. A significant part of this renewal has been the co-production of the widely respected Australian Women Preach podcast with The Grail, an ecumenical movement of women grounded in Christian faith.
As WATAC President Andrea Dean shared:
“We decided not to wait. We chose to host a conference that would nourish women, strengthen community, and chart WATAC’s direction for the future.”
Awe, courage and community-led change
On Saturday morning, Dr Julia Baird invited participants into reflections on awe and grace in everyday life, offering practical ways these might be cultivated within church communities. Known for her thoughtful contributions to public conversations on gender, faith, politics and domestic violence, Baird challenged attendees to shine bright and live loud, even in difficult and constrained contexts.
At the conference dinner, Cathy McGowan AO spoke compellingly about her decades of work amplifying rural voices, advancing gender equity, and advocating for Indigenous constitutional recognition and humane asylum seeker policy. Drawing on her experience in community-led politics, she offered insights and encouragement for those seeking faithful and effective change within the Australian church.
Honouring Country and creative expression
The conference was grounded in Indigenous wisdom and ritual through the presence of First Nations women — Canon Auntie Di Langham, Belinda Roberts, Brooke Prentis and Kelly Humphrey — who acknowledged Country and shared generously from their lived experience and faith.
Original music by Danielle Anne Lynch, Gen Bryant, Steph Jorna and Beth Doherty enriched the prayerful and communal spirit of the gathering, weaving creativity deeply into the conference experience.
Energised for what comes next
Participants left the conference energised, encouraged and challenged. As one attendee reflected:
“The speakers and workshop presenters were exceptional. They explored theology and perspectives that were new to me. I found the whole experience challenging, thought-provoking and inspiring.”
Danielle Anne Lynch expressed heartfelt thanks to the dedicated organising team, while Andrea Dean paid special tribute to Danielle’s vision, leadership and skill in bringing the conference to life.
Planning is already underway for the Patricia Horsley Memorial Lecture in 2026, to be held in another Australian city, along with early conversations about the next vibrant WATAC Conference.
Together, WATAC continues to shine bright, live loud and stand together — imagining and embodying a church renewed by justice, inclusion and shared leadership.