The "Choose to Change" message she delivered was inspired by her third marriage breaking up only six weeks ago.
The broadcaster, journalist and former politician said she was faced with the choice of being buried by the developments or doing something creative, she said.
"I could go to bed and suffer death by duvet, because it's all too sad, but I thought: 'No. I'm open to coming to such a brilliantly titled event'."
"Sometimes you have to be open to change," she said.
Ms Corkery said when reading about the genesis of PCW and women supporting each other, she realised she had never been on a holiday with her sister.
Ms Corkery's sister Judy Hanley flew over from the Gold Coast to join her for a 13-day break on holiday in Owaka.
"We got on the plane the other day, and we were like two kids," she said.
With a mother from the Katea Valley and a father from Owaka, Ms Corkery said this trip was a bit of a homecoming.
"I remember the huge trip to Owaka, the anticipation of seeing Grandma ... An amazing raft of memories are coming back."
"It's good to check in with your roots," Ms Corkery said.
"All the planets aligned for this trip ... I think this is going to be really profound."
