Woman of the Year Finalist Spotlight: Lizette Snaith
For Lizette Snaith, success isn't measured by scale. It's measured by consistency, resilience and creating something that lasts.
As a finalist in the 2026 Meat Business Women Australia Woman of the Year Award, proudly supported by BOTT Insurance Group, Lizette has spent more than two decades building a business that champions quality, sustainability and the value of connecting consumers directly with the people who produce their food.
Together with her family at Warialda Belted Galloways, Lizette has demonstrated that small-scale producers can thrive through innovation, dedication and an unwavering commitment to their customers.
Twenty-one years of building something special
Reflecting on her career, Lizette is most proud of the longevity of the business she has helped create.
For 21 years, Warialda Belted Galloways has traded at farmers' markets, supplying 100% grass-fed beef while embracing a true whole-animal philosophy. From premium cuts and smallgoods through to value-added products crafted from hides, every part of the animal has been thoughtfully utilised to minimise waste and maximise sustainability.
Along the way, Lizette has helped pioneer paddock-to-plate experiences, hosting on-farm dining events that brought hundreds of people together to better understand where their food comes from.
Recognition has followed, including receiving the National ABC Delicious Produce Award for "From The Paddock" and induction into the Legends Hall of Fame by Melbourne Food & Wine in 2025. Yet for Lizette, the greatest achievement has always been earning the trust of customers who continue to return year after year.
Leading without a title
Ask Lizette about leadership and she'll tell you she never thought of herself as a leader.
Running a micro business has never been about hierarchy or job titles. Instead, leadership has been woven into everyday decisions through integrity, empathy, accountability and a willingness to keep learning.
"Being flexible and consistent, while always looking for something new and thinking outside the box, has become second nature," she reflects.
It is a leadership style built on action rather than authority.
Quietly challenging perceptions
Like many women in agriculture, Lizette has experienced moments where her expertise has been overlooked.
She recalls the frustration of technical discussions about carcass specifications being directed to her husband, despite being the person responsible for developing the cutting specifications and managing the business's meat operations.
Rather than allowing those moments to define her, Lizette has continued to advocate for herself through professionalism, persistence and expertise—earning respect by consistently demonstrating her knowledge.
Sharing knowledge to strengthen the future
Looking ahead, Lizette believes her greatest contribution lies in helping others.
Whether she's talking with customers at local farmers' markets or supporting fellow producers, she is passionate about sharing practical knowledge with micro farmers, encouraging whole-carcass utilisation and demonstrating that sustainable, locally produced meat businesses can succeed.
Having rebuilt after the devastating 2009 Victorian bushfires, resilience has become one of the defining characteristics of both Lizette and her business.
Today, she hopes her journey encourages more producers to pursue their own paddock-to-plate ambitions while advocating for greater support to ensure small producers remain an important part of Australia's food system.
Celebrate with us in Melbourne
Lizette is one of five outstanding finalists in the 2026 Meat Business Women Australia Woman of the Year Award.
The winner will be announced at the MBW Australia Gender Representation Report Insights & Awards Evening on Tuesday, 28 July, at the RACV Club, Melbourne.
Join industry leaders from across the meat and food supply chain for an evening of networking, thought-provoking insights from the 2026 Gender Representation Report and the celebration of women who are helping shape the future of our industry.
Tickets are on sale now.
Woman of the Year Award Proudly supported by Bott Insurance Group
Insurance should do more than just tick a compliance box. It should protect the people who keep a business moving, owners making tough calls, teams showing up every day, and customers who rely on you. That’s why BOTT Insurance Group exists: to deliver insurance with purpose, grounded in genuine relationships and practical outcomes.
Backed by more than 30 years of broking experience and the strength of long-standing insurer partnerships, BOTT’s focus has never been one-size-fits-all products. The team takes the time to understand each client’s operations, risk appetite, and what a good outcome looks like - then works through the detail to deliver a solution that fits.
BOTT’s principles are simple:
- People are at the centre of the business
- Whatever it takes
- Together we’re better
- A desire to understand and deliver
That means a hands-on team that works closely with clients from advice and placement through to claims management, because support matters most when something goes wrong. With offices in Melbourne, Bendigo, Cairns and Sydney, and the ability to service clients nationwide, BOTT supports organisations ranging from small businesses to large private and ASX-listed companies. Across commercial and corporate risks, financial lines, people risk and employee benefits, risk consulting and more, BOTT’s goal is to make insurance feel clearer, more human, and more useful.
As sponsor of the MBW Woman of the Year Award, BOTT Insurance Group is proud to support an initiative that recognises leadership, values people and highlights the impact individuals can have across business and industry.
