meet the farmer
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Sixth-Generation & First Female Farmer
Maintaining a focus on soil health, nutrient density, and climate resilience, Cressbrook Station is now run by sixth-generation, Caitlin McConnel, who is the first female to own and operate the family business.
Caitlin combines deep practical on-farm experience with a strong legal and governance background having worked as a litigator and environmental lawyer at national law firm Clayton Utz for 9 years until December 2024.
Keynote Speaker & Author
As a passionate advocate for regional resilience and youth engagement in agriculture, Caitlin is an active keynote speaker and published academic on topics including climate-smart land management and food security in the context of environmental protection and human rights law.
Most recently, Caitlin was a guest speaker at the 2025 Crawford Fund for Food Security Annual Conference in Canberra; and in October 2025 represented Australia as a panelist at the UN Food & Agriculture Organization's Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation in Rome.
Current Industry Involvement
In April 2025, Caitlin was appointed the first female chairperson of the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).
In February 2026, Caitlin was appointed as an Independent Member of the Audit & Risk Management Committee of the Department of Premier & Cabinet and the Public Sector Commission (Queensland).
In March 2026, Caitlin was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Toowoomba Grammar School.
Industry Recognition
In 2024, Caitlin was identified as one of the most influential lawyers in Australasia aged under 40 who have had an extraordinary impact on the profession or society, was awarded the St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School Young Past Student of Distinction Award; and was a 2024 Zanda McDonald Award Finalist.
In August 2025, Caitlin was recognised as one of Queensland’s 40 Under 40, also receiving the Rural & Regional Award which is presented to a finalist who demonstrates influence and leadership in contributing to the prosperity of a rural or regional business and community.
In October 2025, Caitlin was recognised by NewsCorp as one of the top 250 Young Entrepreneurs in Australia.