On Saturday 7 November, we celebrated the power of women, community and connection in unforgettable fashion, welcoming internationally recognised body image advocate, award-winning filmmaker, bestselling author and 2023 Australian of the Year, Taryn Brumfitt, to headline the 2026 Women of Strength event.
Held at Oaks Hotel Toowoomba, the celebratory 10th event brought together women from across the Darling Downs and south-east Queensland for an evening of empowerment, inspiration and meaningful conversation, all while raising vital funds for cancer care in our region.
Guests were captivated by Taryn's powerful keynote, which explored themes of self-acceptance, body image, resilience and personal growth. Through her signature authenticity and humour, Taryn encouraged attendees to embrace their worth, challenge unrealistic beauty standards and recognise the influence they have on future generations.
One of the evening's most impactful messages centred on breaking the generational cycle of diet culture and creating a future where young people can grow up with greater confidence, self-worth and freedom from appearance-based pressures. Taryn challenged guests to consider the way we speak about our own bodies and the way that this influences children learning to see their bodies, reinforcing the importance of leading by example and embracing self-acceptance.
Reflecting on the event, Taryn said it was incredibly special to see the Toowoomba community come together to celebrate women while supporting such an important cause.
“Strength isn't about being perfect or having everything figured out. It's about embracing who you are, recognising your worth and knowing that you are capable of incredible things.”
The evening was made possible through the support of an incredible network of sponsors, donors and community partners whose generosity helped bring Women of Strength to life.
As Platinum Sponsor, Lannah Dunn Fine Jewellery played a significant role in creating a memorable event experience. The renowned Queensland jeweller proudly styled Taryn Brumfitt and MC, Davina Smith, for the evening and generously supported the event through the donation of an extraordinary prize package for the Grand Charity Draw.
The evening wound to a close with guests enjoying the Lannah Dunn sponsored, Diamond Desserts and Signature Cocktail experience.
Toowoomba Hospital Foundation also extends its sincere appreciation to Silver Sponsor The Glennie School and Bronze Sponsors Murdoch Lawyers and Fairholme College, whose partnership contributed to the success of the evening and the ongoing Regional Cancer Centre fundraising campaign.
A special thank you also goes to the many generous businesses who donated prizes to the Signature Prize Raffle.
Toowoomba Hospital Foundation CEO Jude Wills said the event demonstrated the remarkable impact that can be achieved when women are empowered, and communities unite behind a shared purpose.
“Women of Strength was about creating a space to celebrate the incredible women in our lives, recognise their contributions and remind them of the strength they bring to our community every day,” Wills said.
“It's the generosity and support of our local community that makes events like this possible. When people come together with a shared purpose, we're reminded of just how much we can achieve and the difference we can make.”
“We're incredibly grateful to Taryn for bringing her world-class keynote to Toowoomba. Her powerful storytelling, infectious energy and ability to connect with an audience made for a truly unforgettable evening.”
The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation extends its deep gratitude to everyone who attended, sponsored, donated prizes, volunteered and supported Women of Strength 2026. Together, we are helping make a lasting difference for patients and families across the Darling Downs.
