Women Walk the World - Rural Women New Zealand

MAY 2013
Women Walk the World
Sponsor partner
350 members, friends and
families took part in 24
walks around the country in
April, clocking up over 2,050
kilometres to raise funds for
books for children in India
and for ACWW’s Pennies for
Friendship fund.
Here are some of their stories:
Moutere branch walked along
the Maitai River, in lovely bright
sunshine, clocking up 18 kms.
Special mention for 89 year old
Irene McNae who was one of 32
walkers from Beaumont/Tuapeka
who walked 8kms, including half
a kilometre through the railway
tunnel on Big Hill. “A lovely day,
and great walk with a cuppa at
the end and spot prizes and a
raffle. The group raised $240 and
were joined by members from
Alexandra, Roxburgh, Moa Flat,
Balclutha, Lawrence and Milton,”
says Margaret Healy. They also
gained a new member from the
day.
Mary Schmack led seven members
from Selwyn Dinner Group on a
walk to the bird hide on the shore
of Lake Ellesmere, along Harts’
creek and through farmland, on
a beautiful autumn evening. “We
thoroughly enjoyed walking and
talking and cementing friendships
along the way.”
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
Eunice Roberts says Southland
Provincial women enjoyed
exploring the new Winton
walkway through bush and around
new houses, clocking up a total
distance of 130kms and raising
$280.
The children at Lake Rotoiti school
swelled the number of walkers
from St Arnaud branch to 38,
as they enjoyed the delicious
sounding Honeydew walk. Andrea
Goodman says a number of
energetic bods walked it twice,
to bring the total distance walked
to 128kms. “A lovely touch was
the school kids putting on an
afternoon tea for us all once we
had completed the walk!”
Continued page 22
Editorial
Liz Evans, National President
objects and many articles concerning
our movement.
We are out to get cheaper (loan)
money, help in the homes, legislation
to get maternity homes more
plentiful, better nursing conditions,
cheaper cost of living, better
educational facilities for country
children, medical and dental attention
same as city schools.
We hope to send books, magazines,
patterns of clothes etc to any of our
women sympathisers.
Greetings,
Picture this: it is January 1926. You
are in the kitchen of your backblocks
farm house worrying about when
the drought will break. There is much
hard work to be done and the new
baby just won’t settle. Your husband
has a broken leg due to a farm
accident and is laid-up on the couch.
A handwritten letter arrives – one of
more than 2000 delivered far and
wide by the rural postal service:
“Dear Mrs.....
Last year, in July, the farmers’ wives
who were in Wellington at the time
of the Farmers’ Union conference
decided to form an association to
take up matters affecting the welfare
of women and children.
Just at present, we are only at the
beginning of things, but we hope
every woman will join up so as to
bring pleasure and interest to many.
So many women have been shut
away from outside interests until their
lives have been narrowed down to
the daily round of small interests in
their homes, their children and their
neighbours.
We wish to promote wider interests:
to get women to realise how great it is
– their power for good, their privilege
to help – not only their neighbours,
but their country.
Doubtless you have read in The
Farmers’ Weekly of our aims and
2
Will you become a member (2s/6d
per year) and help our organisation?
A reply will greatly assist us in our
efforts.
I am, Yours Sincerely,
Mrs N. Mabel Jackson.”
So you, and hundreds of other rural
women, do reply:
“If only we could have reliable help
when we are ill or have to leave
home...”
This was one of the first tasks of the
Women’s Division of the Farmers’
Union as its founders sought ways to
be of practical assistance to families
living on mud tracks or across
unbridged rivers.
given help to subsidise worker
wages. Due to the worldwide Great
Depression, much help was sought
and Community Chest became
known as the “Inspiration of our
Movement”.
What would those
founding members of
the WDFU make of Rural
Women New Zealand
today?
Would they be surprised to learn
that Rural Women NZ in 2013 is still
working to improve many of the
same rural services and ideals that
they initiated in 1926 – especially
relating to in-home health care and
support?
Our archives illustrate that
housekeepers and nurses travelled
to their rural jobs by train, horse and
gig, wooden rimmed bicycles, on
horseback and on foot. Government
grants from 1928 are recorded as
being made available for travelling
expenses.
Today, our home support workers
travel millions of kilometres annually
in modern vehicles, but, it is often
substantially at their own expense
using their own cars.
Responses to their advertisements
in the press during April 1927 for
“Housekeeper willing to do anything”
and “Bush nurse with surgery and
midwifery certificates” effectively
launched the scheme that was to
become our main philanthropic work
in the years ahead.
While it is government policy to
discharge hospital patients to their
homes for care and recovery, it
appears that it should be “someone
else” who pays to facilitate
institutional savings.
But, when the Bush Nurse and
Emergency Housekeeper Scheme
was established in 1929, it was
apparent that many women in need
of either a nurse or housekeeper
would not be able to pay even the
smallest wage.
In 1927, all the delegates to the
Dominion Conference held in
Wellington “marched along the street
to the House of Representatives,
penetrated to the Prime Minister’s
office and stormed his citadel ” to
ask for fair travel remuneration for
housekeepers and nurses.
So, branches were asked to make
voluntary contributions to a fund
to be called the Community Chest.
From this, rural families in need were
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
What would be the WDFU’s
response?
They got it.
Kind regards, Liz
National Conference is coming up fast and it’s not
too late to register for this special opportunity to
be inspired, learn something new, catch up with
old friends and make some new ones!
Topics for discussion session
This year at national conference
we’re having a new ‘topics for
discussion’ session. We’re hoping
for a lively debate on these
topics: The International Year of
the Family Farm, 2014; Te Kura
(The Correspondence School);
quad bikes; and the It’s OK to
Ask for Help campaign.
As background, the
International Year of the
Family Farm 2014 is being
promoted by the World Rural
Forum and supported by over
360 civil society and farmers’
organisations. This worldwide
celebration declared by the
UN General Assembly aims
to stimulate active policies
for sustainable development
of agricultural systems
based on farmer families,
communal units, indigenous
groups, co-operatives and
fishing families. The goal is
to effectively combat poverty
and hunger and search for
rural development based on
respect for the environment
and biodiversity. You can
find out more at www.
familyfarmingcampaign.net/
Water Forum – 9am – 12noon
Thursday 23 May: You won’t
want to miss our topical Water
Forum with a great line up of
experts to lead the discussion.
They’ll be talking on drought
preparedness, water storage,
irrigation systems and more.
We recommend this forum
to all our members who
are involved in land-based
activities, and it’s also open to
the public. Please bring along
your friends and neighbours!
Cost $30 and you can register
and pay through our website
www.ruralwomen.org.nz/shop.
Our prestigious opening
ceremony on Friday 23 May
at 5.30pm with Christchurch
Mayor Bob Parker and Minister
of Women’s Affairs Hon. Jo
Goodhew will set the scene
for an evening celebrating
entrepreneurial success.
Peri Drysdale of Untouched
World will warm us up for the
Enterprising Rural Women
Awards, talking about her
journey to becoming a high
profile merino clothing
producer, before show and
tell presentations from our
category winners and the
exciting announcement of this
year’s Supreme Award winner.
Later in the conference
programme we’ll be hearing
from four young entrepreneurs
from Rangi Ruru Girls School,
who won two awards at the
National Young Enterprise
Awards in Wellington in
December for their Flat Pack
Farming invention.
Our Camelot Medieval
Festival and Gala Dinner
will be a chance to let your
hair down and party! We’re
looking forward to seeing all
the gracious Lady Guinevere
and knightly costumes on
Friday night. The word on the
Funky Hot Mamas who’ll be
entertaining us on Saturday is
that they ROCK!
Rural Women member Helen
Heddell, Farmy Army catering
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
National Conference 2013
Thursday 23 May 2013 to
Sunday 26 May 2013
Chateau on the Park,
Christchurch
co-ordinator, will be leaving us
on a high note as we hear her
inspirational story of leadership
in the face of adversity.
And in between, we’ll all be
taking part in workshops
designed to Inspire a
Generation. The workshops will
cover:
IT Made Easy, How to Influence
your Local Council, and The
Future’s Bright for Rural
Women New Zealand. Where
would you like to see our
organisation in 10 years time,
and what suggestions do you
have to reach that goal? Let’s
share ideas.
And of course there’s the
serious stuff: A presentation
from our homecare company
Access Homehealth Limited;
a report on finances; our
organisational Rules review, new
projects and remits.
To register for national
conference go to
www.ruralwomen.org.
nz and login to the
Members’ only area, or
call (04) 473 5524.
3
Triple ‘F’ Challenge fun
In Support of Booster Seats
Rural Women New Zealand
recently made a submission
on the review of the laws on
the use of child restraints
and booster seats, which are
under the spotlight as current
regulations have fallen behind
international best practice.
The eighty-five people who took part in the Triple ‘F’
Challenge, biking and walking the Otago Central Rail
Trail in the last week of April, might be feeling a little
foot or saddle-sore, but all agree it was great fun.
participants had a chance to try their hand at curling at
the Naseby curling rink, and discovered that not only is it
fun, but it’s quite hard work. Good food and wine during
the evening all helped.
National councillor for Otago/Southland, Margaret
Pittaway, says “The levels of enthusiasm and enjoyment
were high.
“On our final day, Sunday, the riders had a tail wind from
Ranfurly to Middlemarch, and they all arrived safely and
exhilarated. Our final farewell with ‘bubbles and nibbles’
brought home to us all the goals of the Triple ‘F’ venture. It
was obvious that many personal goals had been met, new
friendships had been forged and it all ended on a high.”
“On Friday evening, Dr Sue Walthert, a breast cancer
survivor, spoke of her journey to recovery and of her
work with The Bridge to Health Programme.
Delivered with humour, her speech contained a serious
message about our responsibility of maintaining our
Discover the Southfuels/Northfuels
difference and go in the draw to
WIN 2 return trips to Sydney!
Southfuels/Northfuels are a Fly Buys Partner,
which means you can collect Fly Buys points
on all your bulk fuel and lubricant purchases.
Text RW to 4040 and a Southfuels/
Northfuels representative will give you a call
to discuss your bulk fuel requirements. Text
by 22 May, and you’ll go in the draw to win
two return trips to Sydney.
own good health. A charity auction during the dinner
also raised funds for the Bridge to Health.
“Sue and Swiss husband Eddie biked with us for the
three days, and entered into the Triple ‘F’ spirit of
Fitness, Fun and Friendship. On Saturday evening the
4
Prize draw to take place
at the Rural Women’s
Conference on 24 May
by the Fly Buys team. You
don’t have to be present.
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
Rural Women New Zealand
strongly supports the
development of legislation to
require the use of booster seats
for children 5-10 years (under
148cm) so that children receive
the full safety benefits of adult
seat belts.
A 2006 New Zealand study
found that while 93 percent of
5-8 year olds required a booster
seat to correctly position the
adult seat belt, only 30 percent
were using one.
Booster seat use in
New Zealand is low
and decreases rapidly
after the child’s fifth
birthday.
Child passenger injuries are
the second largest cause of
unintentional injury-related deaths
for children in New Zealand,
and a significant cause of child
unintentional injury hospitalisation.
Correctly installed and fitted
child restraints and booster
seats have been shown to
reduce the risk of death by
70 percent for infants and
47 percent to 54 percent for
children aged 1 – 4 years.
International best practice
suggests governments need to
regulate for the mandatory use
of child car restraints based on
height, and we support this.
Cost benefits of Lepto control in sheep & beef
Under the Spotlight
Rural Women NZ heads the Farmers Led
Action Group (FLAG) which is now two
years through a Sustainable Farming
Fund project to raise farmer awareness
of leptospirosis and improve profitability,
particularly on sheep and beef farms.
National councillor Anne Finnie chairs FLAG
on behalf of Rural Women New Zealand,
working alongside industry representatives
and Massey researchers.
We are currently working with Massey
University to develop a website to
communicate existing and new knowledge
about leptospirosis in an easily digestible
format, with links to scientific papers as they
are completed.
Thanks to funds raised by Rural Women
NZ members, three PhD researchers
have undertaken substantial research for
the Massey Epicentre’s lepto team, with one
dissertation by Swiss researcher, Anou Dreyfuss,
now submitted.
As well as being a serious disease when passed
to humans, Massey scientists have discovered
up to 10 percent production loss in deer through
adverse effects on animal health, growth and
reproduction.
The FLAG research focuses on
the cost benefits of leptospirosis
control for beef and sheep, so
that farmers will be better placed
to make informed decisions on
whether to vaccinate.
Control of leptospirosis has been proven to
increase profitability in deer farming, but this
new information is not yet widely known.
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
5
National Council contacts
Liz Evans, National President,
Phone: 03 572 4809
Mobile: 021 724 809
liz.evans@ruralwomen.org.nz
Stonvar, R.D.6, Blenheim 7276
Marie Appleton, National Finance Chair,
Phone: 09 238 5545
Mobile: 027 351 6807
marie.appleton@ruralwomen.org.nz
9 Puni Road, Pukekohe 2120
Wendy McGowan, National Vice President
Regional Councillor Bay of Plenty/
Coromandel, Region Five,
Phone: 07 332 3586
Mobile: 027 222 7015
wendy.mcgowan@ruralwomen.org.nz
644 Koharoa Road, R.D.2, Rotorua 3072
Mary Dale-Taylor, Regional Councillor,
Top of the North Island, Region Seven,
Phone: 09 436 1400
Mobile: 021 150 6509
mary.dale-taylor@ruralwomen.org.nz
30 Konini Street, Parahaki, Whangarei 0112
Shirley Read, Regional Councillor, Waikato/Taranaki,
Region Six
Phone: 06 752 3698
Mobile: 027 665 9047
shirley.read@ruralwomen.org.nz
268 Pukearuhe Road, R.D 44, Urenui 4377
Anne Finnie, Regional Councillor, Lower North Island,
Region Four
Phone: 06 376 2821
Mobile: 021 145 4409
anne.finnie@ruralwomen.org.nz
Te Rau, R.D. 3, Pongaroa 4992
Pam Thomlinson, Regional Councillor, Top of the
South, Region Three
Phone: 03 574 2380
pam.thomlinson@ruralwomen.org.nz
Raspberry Bay, R.D.1, Mahau Sound, Picton 7281
Kerry Maw, Regional Councillor, Canterbury, Region Two
Phone: 03 302 0896
Mobile: 0274 780 482
Kerry.maw@ruralwomen.org.nz
696 McCrorys Road, R.D.11, Rakaia 7781
Margaret Pittaway, Regional Councillor, Lower South
Island, Region One
Phone: 03 445 1201
Mobile: 021 024 89569
margaret.pittaway@ruralwomen.org.nz
1570 Luggate, Cromwell Road, R.D.3, Cromwell 9383
6
BURSARIES AND GRANTS
Scotlands Te Kiteroa Trust grants
Pirongia Forest Park Lodge
Ormond kindergarten
Parents Inc - Attitude Youth Division
Growing Through Grief
Awatere Early Learning Centre
Rai Valley Cultural and Archive Trust
Golden Bay Family Health Centre
Halcombe Playcentre
Te Roopu Tautoko O Harataunga
RWNZ Agricultural Tertiary bursary
Rachel Taylor, Wyndham
Education Fund
Christina Carless, Whangarei
Jocelyn McKenzie, Maungaturoto
Deborah Ross, Invercargill
Jessica Smith, Hawera
Sara Trafford, Gisborne
Brownyn Wilson Taylor, Otago
Tertiary Bursary
Richard Clough, Stratford
Sarah Bryant, Te Awamutu
Text Book grants
Sarah Bowler, Marton
Laura Ehrhorn, Turua Thames
Sara Kingi, Waitara
Andrew Rowland, Okaihau
Sophie McKenzie, Blenheim
Book Draws
We have three great book draws this month, one
for the coffee table, one to read while rugged up in
front of the fire, and one to make you laugh!
High Country New
Zealand is a beautiful
large format book with
photography by Antonia
Steeg and introduction
by Philip Temple. Antonia
began documenting the
high country in 2008. She
has driven over 120,000
kilometres by 4WD, and made more than 100 station
visits, meeting and working alongside the people who
live there. Over three hundred of her photographs
create a remarkable record and celebration of the
land, its people and their way of life through the
changing seasons.
Inside the Medium by Kelvin
Cruickshank is a tell-all account from
this well known psychic medium,
who shares personal details in his
latest book. Kelvin introduces us
to some of his dearest friends and
family, who describe Kelvin in their
own words.
Bush poet and balladeer Roger Lusby entertained
members at the Top of the South conference with his
amusing New Zealand-based verse.
We have two copies of his book ‘The Optimist’
complete with CDs of Roger reciting to give away.
To enter our book draws email jackie.edkins@
ruralwomen.org.nz or write to Book Draw, RWNZ, PO
Box 12-021, Wellington, stating the name of the book(s)
you’d like to win.
Plus three Community Fund grants.
BOOK DRAW WINNERS
Our spokespeople
Many of you entered our How to Care for your
Poultry (vol 1 and 2) draws written by Muhunoa
member and poultry expert Sue Clarke. The lucky
winners were Sue Pothecary of Morrinsville, Judith
Price of Murchison, Robyn Reid of Puketapu, and
Carol Sanders of Murchison.
Education: Anne Finnie; Kerry Maw
Health: Margaret Pittaway, Marie
Appleton
Land: Shirley Read, Wendy McGowan
Community: Pam Thomlinson, Mary
Dale-Taylor
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
The winners of the Christchurch Sketches and
Calendar were Catherine McLellan of Stoke and Thora
Webster of Wakefield.
The Back to the Land winner was Olive MacLeod of
Rai Valley.
Hot Topic
This month we challenge all groups and
branches to come up with one idea for our
new book on fundraising ideas.
What we’re looking for: Favourite recipes for
best selling easily transportable cakes, slices,
loaves, cupcakes, recipes for sweets and
fudges, pickles chutneys preserves jams drinks
and cordials.
Instructions for making craft items such as
cushions, aprons, soft toys, knitting, coat
hangers, bags, wooden toys, Xmas decorations,
raising plants from cuttings etc. Recipes for
beauty products: handcreams, bath salts,
soaps etc. Instructions for making bunting.
Suggestions for stalls and activities that have
been successful over the years as RWNZ and
other local fundraisers.
ACE Funding available
for Adult Learners Week
If you’re planning any type of learning event or
activity for your group, you might like to time
it to coincide with Adult Learners Week, (2-8
September) so that you can apply for up to $600
of funding from ACE Aotearoa to cover costs of
speakers, hire of hall, transport, materials etc.
All events will be considered for funding if they
have a learning component. For example you
could have an expo of all the groups in your area,
e.g. Toastmasters, book club, SeniorNet, etc. Or
you could use funds for the hire of a hall for an
event or workshops, payment for a guest speaker
on a particular topic, transport to an activity, or a
Women in Farming presentation.
The last date for funding applications is May 30.
The application form is available on our website
(Search for Adult Learners Week).
Crimestoppers survey
We will be reporting back on our recent
Crime and Safety in rural communities
survey at our national conference, along with
a presentation by Crimestoppers and the
Police. They will also be talking about the
Safer Schools initiative, which involves the
forensic marking of school assets, and the
Shut the Gate programme.
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
7
ing
c
u
od
Intr
our
Enterprising
rural women
award 2013
entrants
Harvest Festival
Southland members enjoyed
promoting our book A Good
Harvest at the Harvest Festival in
Riverton in March.
Ann Irving says the event is getting
more and more popular. “We ran a
recipe book draw again and Gayle
Mills of Longwood Road, Riverton
won a copy of A Good Harvest.”
The forms for the draw were an
opportunity to gather details of
people wanting to know more about
Rural Women New Zealand, with 15
enquiries. If you’d like some of these
forms for your event, contact Kiera
Jacobson in national office.
Angela Payne, Agri-lab CoProducts Ltd
Christina Perriam, Christina
Perriam Fashion Design Ltd
Deborah Hambly, Astronomy
Adventures,
Diane Coleman, Treeline Native
Nursery
Long
island
Model
search
In association with Rural Women New Zealand
Diana Baird, Fairview
Enterprises
Virginia Broughton and Moira Jenkins
We hear some of you have already sent in your photos to
Long Island clothing, but it’s not too late to enter the Rural
Women model search for women in the 14-30 size range.
Heather Wilkins, The Vege
Shed
Heidi Rosewarne, Blueberry
Corner
The winner will not only feature on Long Island’s catalogue
cover, but also in the Australian Women’s Weekly. Send your
photo to tracy.thompson@longisland.co.nz by 20 May 2013
to be in to win. The winner will be announced at our national
conference in Christchurch on Saturday 25 May. For the
photo shoot, the winner will be flown to Christchurch and will
also receive a $400 Long Island wardrobe.
Jan Harper, Bluespur Butchery
Jan Shoemark, Bell Cottage
Crafts
Jill Hollingum, Occsafe
Services
Shear Fashion at Golden Shears
The Shear Fashion show was a first
for the Golden Shears in Masterton
this February, where we had on show
items from our very own paddock
to catwalk wool designer, Beverley
Forrester of Blackhills.
Beverley was a finalist in our first
Enterprising Rural Women Award and
sells her wool creations, patterns and
fibre both in New Zealand and at her
shop near Oxford, England. Noeline
Holt our EO, Lower North Island
national councillor Anne Finnie, and
marketing co-ordinator Kiera Jacobson
manned our stand, fielding enquiries
from women keen to find out more
about Rural Women NZ.
8
Jules Smith, Washbar
Kylie Stewart, Rangitikei
Farmstay
Lee Lamb, Lee Lamb
Publishing
Twenty inspiring women entered our Enterprising Rural Women
Awards this year. We have been profiling their businesses
on our website and on our Facebook page. The judges have
had the difficult task of choosing winners in each of our four
categories, Stay Play Rural, sponsored by Access Homehealth
Ltd, Help I Need Somebody sponsored by Telecom, Love of the
Land sponsored by Agrisea and Making it in Rural sponsored by
Fly Buys Ltd.
We eagerly await the opportunity to share the incredible
stories of the winners who have worked so hard to make their
businesses a success. The Awards will be a highlight of the
opening night of our national conference.
Lesley Armstrong-Jennings,
Shopenzed.com
Linda Morrison, Tairoa Lodge
Lynne Johnston, Herd About
Hair & Beauty
Saskia Missaar, Aotea Embrace
Stephanie Evans, Oasis Beauty
NZ
Stephanie Lynch, Sweetree
Honey
Anne Finnie, Noeline Holt and Kiera Jacobson
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
9
Life membership
Cynthia Collier
Cynthia was a long time and valued member of both
Rangiwaea and Taihape Rural Women groups. She
passed away in early March.
Cynthia was dedicated member always willing to be
involved. She was treasurer for many years and a great
photographer and record keeper. Quiet and unassuming,
Cynthia could always be relied on to help no matter
what we were planning, says Jocelyn Fannin. Cynthia
will be sadly missed by all her knew and loved her.
Maureen Sumby and Ellen Orchard of Kenepuru
branch receiving their life membership in March.
President Glen Eatwell in centre
Farewell to old friends
Sheila Anderson
In January Tarras Branch farewelled their much
respected Life Member, Elizabeth Sheila Anderson,
with a guard of honour at her funeral at the Tarras
Church. Sheila, who was affectionately known in
Tarras as Grandma Anderson, had only a few months
earlier celebrated her 100th birthday. An active
member for over 60 years Sheila joined in July 1944.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Sheila was elected junior
vice-president, senior vice-president, and president of
the Tarras branch. Sheila’s continued involvement in
Rural Women was always an inspiration to others as the
elder member of the group. She was awarded Branch
Life Membership in 2001. Sheila raised a family of four
children and along with her husband Bill ran a 1000hen poultry farm.
Joyce Thwaites
Joyce joined Glenham branch of WDFF in 1952,
before joining and becoming president of Morton
Mains Branch, where she was awarded Life
Membership. On moving to Invercargill she became
a member of East Invercargill branch in 1991 and
for 13 years was secretary. She also served on
Southland Provincial including several years as vice
president, president and secretary, and was also
awarded Provincial Life Membership. She was Meals
on Wheels convenor for 19 years and for several
years served as secretary of the Holiday Homes
Committee. For 16 years she was the bus trips
convenor, organising for fellow members to get to
conference or go on holiday. As a loyal and devoted
member she received the Dominion Service Award,
and will be sadly missed.
10
Molly Hurley
Molly joined Otewa branch 15 years ago, after the
closure of Otorohanga branch, of which she was a
Life Member. She passed away recently aged 96.
Nancy Perry
Life Member Nancy Perry joined Cardiff branch in
1953 and was a member for 43 years until the branch
closed in 1996, when she transferred to Stratford
branch. At Cardiff she served on the committee and
held the offices of treasurer and vice-president. She
was very talented in floral art work and will be sadly
missed by all members
Heather Bollond
Heather was an enthusiastic member of Rural
Women NZ since 1967, joining Pungarehu branch,
then Tumahu. She served as president from 1982
to 1986 and was vice president from then until her
passing. She will be sorely missed by us all, says
president Joyce Downs
Dawn Neville
Dawn joined WDFF in 1953 in Takapau, Hastings. She
then went to live in Northland, joining Poria-Ohuru
and then Doubtless Bay branch in 1976, where she
served as president, secretary, treasurer and sales
convenor. She was made a Life Member in 1983.
Valerie Fisher AO, OBE
Valerie, who died on 19 April, came from Victoria,
Australia. She was a former ACWW World President,
serving six years in that position. She also served
as South Pacific Area President, and was a great
ambassador for ACWW, visiting New Zealand several
times.
Branch honours
Korakonui branch – Ann Crichton and Rachael
Hyland
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
Hot Chick!
Pedal power and grit determination propelled Glenorchy member Amanda Hasselman to the
Southland/Otago regional conference in April. She began her adventure from her home at the head
of Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship, and then set off from Queenstown to
Invercargill by push bike on a solo ride that took four days.
It was a journey of discovery for
Amanda who wanted to see ‘if
that adventurous soul that used
to exist was still there or not!’
Clearly it was, and Amanda
enjoyed every minute of the
ride.
“It was just gorgeous
being out there on a
bike. It’s a pretty special
country we live in.”
En route she slept in her tent,
in a mustering hut and stayed
with friends. She enjoyed her
own company and says the
people she met along the way
were all delightful.
“The media tells you it is an
extremely dangerous place to be,
but everyone is really friendly and
really helpful and nice.”
She says on reaching her
destination the Region One
conference was ‘great’ and
commended the organisers
on a really good job.
“There were some great
speakers and I particularly
enjoyed hearing from
Karl Metzler, CEO of Gore
Health, talking about
using technology to solve
medical problems.” He
told the audience that 70
percent of skin conditions
can be diagnosed by
video conferencing, saving
hours of driving to specialist
appointments for people living
in smaller rural communities.
Amanda was a participant in
this year’s Growing Dynamic
Leaders course in Wellington in
February.
Change is afoot for Amanda.
She and her husband, who she
met when he gave her a lift as
she hitch-hiked into Glenorchy
many years ago, have just
completed the tenure review
process for their farm, reducing
their landholding.
Pat Farry Fun Run and Walk
Ten Rural Women NZ members were amongst
the 180 walkers and runners who were up before
dawn to take part in this year’s Pat Farry Fun Run
and Walk held in Rotorua on Saturday 16 March.
The annual event is held in association with the
New Zealand Rural General Practice Network’s
(NZRGPN) annual conference.
The walk is held in memory of tireless rural health
advocate, Dr Pat Farry, and aims to increase
awareness of the value of rural general practice.
Pat’s widow, Sue Farry, who is a member of our
Glenorchy branch, thanked both the NZRGPN
conference and the local community saying “Your
support of this event and the Pat Farry Trust will
ultimately contribute to the quality of rural health
services in all regions of New Zealand.”
Top Ten! Bev, Chris, Sue, Wendy, Lyn, Inez, Colleen, Ruth, Mary and
Margaret
Thanks to the Walking Access Commission and Access
Homehealth Ltd for sponsoring the cool T-shirts.
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
11
Congratulating our new Czech Consul
Glenorchy member Vladka Kennett has just been
made Honorary Consul for the Czech Republic in
the South Island.
Pictured left are members Kate Scott, Sue Farry
and Debbie Crompton, with Vladka holding the
flag, during a celebration at Punatapu after the
official diplomatic soiree in Queenstown.
There is a Czech consul in Auckland too, and an
ambassador in Canberra, both of whom were at
the official opening of the office in Queenstown.
Vladka is married to a Glenorchy local and has
become a vital part of the community. She runs the
community website, and is heavily involved in the
local search and rescue team.
Inspiring speakers gave plenty
to think about at our Growing
Dynamic Leaders course in
February, with 16 women taking
part from around the country.
Amongst the presenters were Silvia
Zuur who launched Chalkle, an
award winning company that offers
people the opportunity to learn
new things from other members
of the community in an informal,
positive, learning environment.
Silvia says Chalkle is a way for local
communities to re-think education
and offers the opportunity for
anyone to learn almost anything.
Bryce Johnson, the CEO of Fish &
Game NZ, talked about advocacy
and the most effective way to take
your case to government.
Relay
for Life
John Ayling, CEO of Access,
Joyce-Anne Raihania of the Injury
Prevention Network Aotearoa, and
former Wellington Mayor, Kerry
Prendergast, shared insights on
their leadership styles.
North Otago Provincial members took up
the baton and joined the Relay for Life in
Oamaru on 16 March to raise funds for the
Cancer Society.
The women visited Parliament
during question time, and had a
meeting with Hon. Jo Goodhew
the Minister of Women’s Affairs
and Associate Minister for Primary
Industries. They also visited the
Ministry of Social Development
to learn about the It’s Not OK
campaign.
Over lunch with Landcorp,
which sponsored the course,
the women gave a series
of presentations on issues
of concern to their rural
communities, and explored ways
of working more closely with
Landcorp.
The importance and value of
rural bus services was a recurring
theme.
ANZAC memorial unveiling
Earlier, each branch had been challenged to
organise a fundraiser, and after ‘bring and
buys’, cake stalls, champagne breakfasts
and donations, $2,035 was raised for the
cause.
Rural Women NZ was one of 40 organisations and
businesses that took part in the 24 hour relay.
Members had travelled from Hampden, Five Forks,
Kauru Hill and Tokarahi to join with Oamaru members.
Margaret Hore says some planned on staying half an
hour and stayed for four. A few hardy souls saw out the
whole 24 hours.
After it was over, the unanimous decision was that they
would all do it again next time. “There are so many very
compassionate members and friends of Rural Women.”
Festive
works
of
art
created by Inch Clutha
members
Jill
Morahan,
Marie
Morrison,
Faylyn
Milne, Casey Groenewegen
and Jocelyn Carson made
special personalised gifts
for Christchurch earthquake
victims.
Members wrapped their art works and included some
Christmas goodies too.
12
Growing Dynamic Leaders
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
Two hundred and fifty people attended the unveiling
of a new war memorial in the West Otago township of
Kelso on ANZAC day, where Rural Women member
Alison Duff spoke, honouring the one woman,
Agnes Herbert, along with the 98 men listed on the
monument. Of those 15 lost their lives in action.
Alison told the crowd that Agnes Herbert was born
at “Ardmore”, Kelso, before serving in Egypt and
England as a Sister in the Voluntary Aid Detachment,
New Zealand Red Cross. For her war service Agnes
received the MBE (military section) and the 1914-1918
War Ribbon.
“We must also acknowledge the women of the
district who were left behind to virtually fend for
themselves - mothers, wives, sisters, sweethearts,
who battled on, supporting one another when they
could, when their menfolk were away. The children
had to be looked after and farms and businesses run,”
said Alison.
Alison Duff at the Kelso war memorial unveiling on Anzac Day
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
13
Promoting the use of Quad bike helmets
National councillor Anne
Finnie fronted our stand at
the Central Districts Fieldays
with a topical quad bike safety
theme.
“We had fun asking passers-by
if they had quad bikes and if so
did they wear a helmet?” Anne
says it soon became clear that
dairy farmers are most likely
to be wearing helmets. Is this
because they are likely to be
employees, rather than farm
owners, or that Department of
Labour inspectors have visited
these farms ahead of the more
remote back country blocks?
Old habits are changing, with
total helmet sales for the year
to June 2012 almost double
the sales for the previous
year, continuing an upward
trend. The number of farmers
reporting that some or all
riders wear helmets increased
16 percent to 37 percent since
2010, while the number of
farmers reporting all riders
wear helmets increased nine
percent since the Department
of Labour (now Ministry of
Business, Innovation and
Employment (MBIE)) project
began in 2010.
A GREAT EXAMPLE
National councillor, Kerry
Maw, says when she was
setting up our display at
the recent South Island
agricultural fieldays at Lincoln,
it was really good to see all
the event organisers who
were riding quads wearing
helmets. We recently wrote to
the Royal Agricultural Society
asking they recommend
There was a great turnout of 21 young women
at a preserving workshop organised by Nelson
Provincial members, together with the Nelson
Environment Centre in early April.
Sharing their skills and recipes from A Good
Harvest, the women demonstrated bottling of
fruit, chutney, relish, jam, dehydrating and cooking
produce in the microwave.
Anne Finnie with Carol Teutscher from the
Mangamahu Fordell branch, who had been
involved with an quad bike accident last year
to A&P show organisers that
all workers and volunteers
be required to wear a safety
helmet while riding quad bikes
during A&P shows. Leading by
example in this way could save
a life or serious injury. The RAS
has forwarded this message to
all A&P show committees.
Drought Shouts
When times are tough the best
support often comes from others
in the same boat who can share
what they’re going through.
Knowing you’re all in it together
is a powerful way of coping with
stress and hard times.
Rural Women NZ has been
offering people the chance to
get together to support each
other during the recent drought,
by providing funding from the
Ministry of Primary Industries’
Adverse Events Fund.
In Dargaville, 70 people came
to eat and meet others for a
‘drought/rain dance/dry off
party’. Organiser Debra Law, the
secretary of Aoroa branch, says,
“We were not very successful
with our rain dance but had no
complaints about the meal and
14
Pictured with the fruits of their labours are Gabriele
Abeltshauser (Provincial president), Annetta
Hodges , Diane Higgins and Margaret Faulkner.
Gifted Kids
Top of the North national councillor, Mary DaleTaylor was amazed at the abilities of the children
she observed during a recent visit to a Gifted Kids
programme class based at Selwyn Park School in
Dargaville, the only one of its type in Northland.
Gifted Kids would love to establish a class in
the mid-north, but funding is a big handicap,
says Mary. While Gifted Kids supplies the books,
computers and furniture, the programme
organisers need to work in with a school that is
MYSTERY FUN NIGHT
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
Diane Higgins says, “We had very positive feedback
and everybody enjoyed it and told us that they
learnt a lot.”
The Gifted Kids programme enables the children
to explore their particular interests in depth for one
day a week, and Top of the North Rural Women
had sponsored one of the children through the Pat
Evans fund during the last term of 2012.
company. I think everyone had
a good time. Thank you to Rural
Women for their financial help so
we could put this on for our local
farmers and their families.”
Meanwhile Tanya Saunders
organised a mystery fun night
for rural women in Hukerenui.
With instructions to wear their
gym gear, the women met up
at the Whangarei Academy of
Gymnastics where they had an
hour’s access to the entire gym
with two instructors. “We had
free running with a warm up
and loads of time to play on all
the apparatus. Fantastic!” says
Tanya. The women were divided
into teams with points awarded
for various challenges including
cheesy gym poses, before
Not in a pickle! Preserving workshop success
adjourning to the Kamo corner
bar for a hotly contested round
of speed pool!
In all, Rural Women NZ has
funded nine drought get
togethers around the country.
We still have funds available
for further events. Contact
national office. Despite the
drought having broken the
effects will be still be felt.
Kath Gillespie from Dargaville and Sheila Bennett from Kaikohe
joined Mary Dale-Taylor for the visit to Selwyn Park.
interested and can provide a vacant classroom.
“I came away wondering how many other rural
children there are out there with similar abilities
who will never have the chance to experience
Gifted Kids.”
CanBead collection
Have a rummage around in your
jewellery box and see if you have
any old beads, broken necklaces or
pre-loved jewellery you no longer
wear. We’ll happily take items off your
hands and pass them on to the charity
CanBead.
CanBead recycles old jewellery and uses
the beads at workshops for women
suffering from cancer and other chronic
illness.
“We do a lot of work creating
memory jewellery for patients in
the hospice.”
We’ll have a collection box at
national conference, or you can
post beads to national office.
For more information go to
www.canbead.org.nz.
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
IMPORTANT REMINDER
RWNZ Financial Requirements
All branches/groups must
ensure that they include ‘Rural
Women New Zealand’ in the
name of the group and on all
bank accounts.
All signatories to the account
must be current financial
members in order to meet
legal requirements.
Marie Appleton,
National Finance Chair.
15
Onewhero on the rise
WAITAKI SAFER COMMUNITIES
Margaret Pittaway, our national councillor for
Otago/Southland, was included as a member
of the assessment team for Waitaki’s bid to
become a member of Safer Communities –
the first time Rural Women NZ has had an
input into such an assessment process.
Onewhero members had lots of laughs at their
recent breadmaking evening.
The nine women took over Albert’s Kitchen, an
artisan bakery in Pukekohe, enjoying a glass of
wine and some nibbles, before getting stuck into
to kneading and shaping their dough and baking
it. “It was great fun,” says Fiona Gower.
ON THE lOOK OUT FOR THE
GREAT WHITE CABBAGE BUTTERFLY
Your help is needed to
stop this major pest.
Though they are likely
to be in the pupa stage
at present, in Spring we
need to look out for the
caterpillars and eggs
and report any finds to
the Ministry of Primary
Industries’ hotline: 0800
80 99 66.
They are found in clusters
on host plants, and are
particularly partial to
nasturtiums, honesty
and brassicas. The Great
White Cabbage butterfly
has been spreading since
it was first found in a
Nelson garden in 2010. A
multi-agency attempt is
being made to eradicate
it and public help is
essential.
More information is
available on the website
www.doc.govt.nz.
16
Margaret says, “I was impressed by the
commitment to the community of those
taking part. The trickle down effect was
very noticeable and included on the job
opportunities for self improvement and
work safety. Features were adult literacy
classes, health clinics, consultations with ACC,
physiotherapists and OSH and counselling
services. Immigration services, aged care,
police and road safety were significant areas
that were included.
In February Margaret attended the
presentation of the Safer Communities
Award – the culmination of hours of work
that had gone into the documentation for
Waitaki’s application.
“I am now a convert to the Safer
Communities concept and would encourage
other communities to take the initiative as
Waitaki has done. Now their real work begins
as they strive to build on the foundations of
their initial work.”
ADWT Escalator course
Fiona Gower of Onewhero branch says the first
module of the Agri-Women’s Development Trust
Escalator course, held in Wellington in March,
was really empowering.
“Our module was all about “Developing Your
Potential” so we learnt about strength-based
development, reflective learning, managing our
impression and making an impact, self esteem and
self confidence.
“We also learned about the ‘imposter
syndrome’- the little voice in your
head that says, ‘Do I really deserve this
opportunity?’ Yes, you do!”
Fiona was back in Wellington in April for the second
module of the course.
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
A visit to Chennai remembered
Fifteen years ago, Jean Bearda,
a recently joined member of Te
Aroha-Waihou branch, visited
India when her husband was
captain of an oil tanker.
One of the ports she visited was
Chennai, (formerly Madras) which
is the capital of the state of Tamil
Nadu, and is also where several of
our members will be heading later
in the year for the 27th Associated
Country Women of the World
(ACWW) Triennial Conference.
It will be interesting to hear how
Chennai has changed in the last
decade and a half.
As India is our country of study
for 2013, we thought we’d share
Jean’s story.
Chennai has a population of just
over 5 million people in an area of
180 square kilometers.
When Jean arrived in the Bay
of Bengal, the ship had to drop
anchor and wait 11 days before it
could enter the port. Once in port,
there were sights, smells and sounds
that made a big impression on Jean.
She recounted seeing ‘rat guards’
on the ship’s mooring ropes, whose
task was to keep the city’s rats
from boarding. Once on shore she
was struck by the sight of women
repairing the roads, mixing hot
asphalt, carrying it in cane baskets
on their heads and then pasting
it on the roads. A snake charmer
sat cross legged on a street corner,
while the sacred - though thin cows had right of way wherever
they wanted to roam.
Jean was struck by the staggering
poverty, side by side with relics
from the colonial era, such as
the shipping office with its solid
wooden furniture, huge hand
written ledger books and a single
black Bakerlite telephone.
Jean wearing an outfit she had
purchased in Chennai for just $10. The
dress was made with several pin tucks
and insertions of different fabrics, and
is comfortable to wear even in hot
weather.
Ruth Shanks’ visit to Papua New Guinea
Water tanks donated to
Tamban elementary school
in Papua New Guinea by the
Associated Country Women
of the World South Pacific
Area will save the whole local
community a two kilometre
trek to the creek to get water
for the school and household
needs.
South Pacific Area President,
Ruth Shanks, recently paid the
Tamban community a visit to
see how the tanks have made a
difference.
North Otago Rural Women
members also sent further
funds to enable the teachers
to purchase books and
resources, as
the government
only provides
the school
building, but no
equipment.
When Ruth
finally arrived
after a long
journey it was
well past school
finishing time,
but the children
and their parents
had waited patiently for her
group to arrive.
“The children were lined up
along a path up the hill. They
crowded around us and held up
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
lovely banners thanking us for
the funds received.”
The tanks were on site but had
not yet been connected.
17
Feeling Rotten
Survey
Thanks to those of you
who took part in our
Feeling Rotten Survey
in early March.
Ninety-four percent of
our responses came
from women, forty
percent of whom listed
their occupation as tied to
farming and agriculture,
and included farmers,
orchardists, vets and
agribusiness consultants. Twenty percent were
retired.
Website members’ only page
National Fieldays - 12-15 June
A reminder that this is the time of year to get
your flu shot.
The members’ only page on our website is
where you’ll find ‘in house’ information such as
the Infopak containing forms and other ‘how
to’ information. Other useful links include the
Constitution and By-Laws, copies of branch
mailouts, information about competitions, national
conference updates, our online shop, the latest
Express and IT Made Easy tipsheets.
We have a spot once again in the Mystery Creek
Pavilion and are looking for volunteers to help
out the few days we’re there. The timetable is as
follows:
To access the Members Only page on the website,
go to www.ruralwomen.org.nz. Click on LOGIN at
the top. Your username is your email address and
your password is your first name in capitals.
Friday, June 14 8 am – 5 pm
Anyone can receive a flu vaccination from their
doctor or practice nurse. For some this is offered
free of charge, including anyone 65 years and
over, pregnant women, children and adults with
certain medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart
disease, kidney problems, cancer or other serious
medical condition). Under 18 year olds living in
Canterbury are able to get free flu vaccinations up
to 31 July 2013 through their GP or medical centre.
NZ Constitution conversation
RWNZ is helping promote the official consultation
on the NZ Constitution, so that all New Zealanders
have the opportunity to share their thoughts.
Anxiety: Seventy percent said they feel anxious
some or all of the time, with the top three causes
being: feeling overwhelmed or over-extended (42
percent), money/financial stress (38 percent) and
family issues (13 percent). Of those who feel anxious
some or all of the time, 75 percent have suffered from
depression. Of those who feel anxious, 60 percent
currently receive or have received medication and/or
counselling. 38 percent were offered support, with
a further 16 percent seeking out support. 38 percent
did not seek and were not offered support. Some
of the support came from counsellors (43 percent)
while 18 percent received support from friends.
Views are sought on the pros and cons of having the
NZ Constitution written down as a single document.
The role of the Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the Treaty
of Waitangi. Maori representation in local and
national government. Electoral issues such as the size
of Parliament and the length of its term.
Depression: Just over 60 percent of respondents
have suffered from depression and of those
45 percent felt they had moderate symptoms.
Contributing factors included family stress (22
percent), work stress (18 percent), post-natal
depression (16.8 percent) and abuse (physical,
sexual or mental) (12.8 percent). Seven percent felt
isolation was a contributor. Of those who suffered
from depression 70 percent receive or have received
medication and/or counselling.
1.
That Rural Women New Zealand requests
the Ministry of Health and District Health
Boards to urgently implement a sustainable and
consistent fair travel policy for home support
workers which is reviewed and adjusted annually;
this is to cover the real and actual costs of
travelling, including vehicle costs and time spent
travelling.
2.
That Rural Women New Zealand ask the
Ministry of Transport to make the wearing of
high visibility, reflective clothing compulsory for
cyclists, walkers and joggers using roads.
3.
That Rural Women New Zealand urges
the Government to ensure that all Rural Support
Trusts throughout New Zealand proactively
provide the same range of services.
58 percent of all respondents felt
belonging to a group or community
was very important in overcoming
anxieties and/or depression. The two
most helpful things people noted
were having a support system, and
recognising and accepting the issue.
You can get help at www.depression.org.nz or talk to
a health professional.
18
Flu shots
If you want to discuss this in your group, we can
provide fact sheets, power point presentations etc.
Submissions close in July 2013. More information is
available at www.ourconstitution.org.nz.
National Conference Remits
Items for the Express are welcomed and can be
sent to the Editor, Jackie Edkins email:
jackie.edkins@ruralwomen.org.nz, or
Rural Women NZ, PO Box 12-021, Wellington
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
Tuesday, June 11 afternoon - set up of display.
Wednesday, June 12 8 am- 5 pm
Thursday, June 13 8 am – 5 pm
Saturday, June 15 9 am – 5 pm (includes help with
packing up the display)
Please contact Kiera Jacobson at national office.
Email contacts
Do we have your email address? Not sure? Do
you receive our e-newsletters?
If the answer is ‘No’ you’re missing out on some
great books draws, not to mention information
about events, happenings and opportunities that
go with being a Rural Women NZ member. Please
send us your email address so we can update our
database and keep you ‘in the loop’, by emailing
enquiries@ruralwomen.org.nz.
Agricultural Leadership
Programme
Women in rural business survey
Women in rural New Zealand are not to be
underestimated when it comes to marketing –
but then we know that, don’t we?
A new survey by heartland research company
Tracta heard from 250 women who shared
information on the role they play on farms and in
rural businesses. It found that rural women are
involved to some degree in most farm decisions
made on a daily basis, but many feel undervalued
by product and service marketers.
An agricultural leadership programme being run
in partnership with Landcorp Farming Ltd and
the New Zealand Institute of Management is
being offered in May and November this year.
While 26.6% of respondents consider that they
have ‘no specific on-farm role’ most identified that
they are involved to some degree in purchasing
decision-making. Just over 50% of respondents
identified they are responsible for 100% of bill
payments.
The seven-day residential program is designed
to prepare and develop future leaders of New
Zealand’s vibrant agricultural sector. If you are
interested in finding out more go to
www.nzim.co.nz/
But here’s the rub: only 35.4% of rural women
feel they are understood and respected by rural
product and service marketers, leaving 64.6%
feeling that providers do an average to extremely
bad job of talking to them.
Dangerous Decibels Programme
30 places have been reserved for Rural Women NZ
members to attend a Dangerous Decibels training
course on 17 and 18 June at the University of Auckland.
The two day course is free, though travel and
accommodation is up to the individual. On
passing the course, people will be qualified to
deliver the programme to rural schools and adult
audiences.
For more information go to
www.dangerousdecibels.org.
Hi-Vis vests for Amuri kids
The Amuri dinner group has a very active and
ongoing interest in supporting safety for school
children. To date they have supplied around 500
hi-vis vests to four schools.
They recently held a 4WD station tour attended
by 65 people which netted a further $800 for the
cause. “We were lucky enough to be invited to view
the Balmoral Station, driving to the old fire lookout
followed by a picnic in the gardens of the historic
Balmoral Homestead,” says Sharron Davie-Martin.
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
19
Branch, Provincial and
Regional news
ELSTOW branch celebrated its 80th birthday in
November 2012, with a lunch for 90 people at the
Elstow hall. No birthday would be complete without a
cake, and this one was cut by newest member Anne
Browne.
After lunch the group were entertained by the
Qualtrough singers. As part of the milestone
celebrations, Elstow published a cookbook with
members contributing their favourite recipes. “It’s a
piece of history that we will pass on to our children,
grandchildren and friends and in which, through our
contributions, we hope we are remembered,” says
branch president, JenniTorrens.
AROHENA Rural Women members are holding
their 75th jubilee celebration lunch on 1 May, revisiting
their history with members past and present.
RAI VALLEY celebrated its 85th birthday in January with
a lunch at Mt Richmond Estate, where branch members
and partners were joined by National President Liz
Evans and National Councillor for Top of the South, Pam
Thomlinson and their husbands. A cake made for the
occasion by Mary Neal was cut by the longest serving
member, Jan Young .
Today the small branch continues to promote the
concept of ‘Growing dynamic communities’ the latest
project being to raise additional funds for the Nellie
Schroder Educational Bursary. The group’s involvement
with the school nursery and planting days has developed
into collecting seeds and growing natives for riparian
plantings.
CANTERBURY members, led by National Councillor
Kerry Maw, attended the South Island Fieldays at Lincoln
from 22-26 March, giving out information on Rural
Women NZ activities, Access Homehealth, stress and
depression support, and school bus safety. They also
had cookbooks and copies of “Ragwort & Thistles” for
sale. Kerry says “Several praised us for our efforts and
encouraged us to keep up the good work. We held a
lucky draw for a lady’s pamper package and received a
large number of entries and contacts for follow up.”
Seventeen membersfrom PIAKO/MORRINSVILLE and
WAIKATO attended a training event run by Hamilton
Toastmasters at the Eureka Hall recently to learn the
skill of introducing and thanking speakers at meetings.
Organiser Janet Williams says it was a great learning
curve and focused on the ‘CRC’ approach, commend,
recommend and commend, and included video clips
and handouts.
20
Regional Conferences
Southland and Otago / Region 1
You can see first hand some of the action from this
conference, as Provincial president, Heather Smith,
who took part in our Growing Dynamic Leaders
course this year featured on South Today News
during the conference. You can watch her here at
9.29 minutes into the clip:
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=n0G5OQJbNOk
Canterbury / Region 2
A successful Regional Gathering was held in
Ashburton on 15 March. A presentation from Access
was very well received with many members gaining
a greater understanding of the business environment
of our wholly-owned healthcare company.
Top of the South / Region 3
Fifty-five members gathered on a beautiful Motueka
day for the Top of the South conference.
Highlights included fashions from Long Island
clothing, presentations from the Nelson Tasman
Chamber of Commerce and Good Homes for
Good Lives and Sue Higgins talking about her
Kellogg Rural Leadership project, “From Sandpit
to Paddock, Growing our Future Farmers.”
National President Liz Evans spoke about the
changes that need to be made to the RWNZ
constitution, as she has at all the regional
conferences this year. She welcomed comments
or suggestions.
Lower North Island / Region 4
Members from the Lower North Island gathered
in Waipukurau for an afternoon’s exploring before
some serious discussion about our organisation and
the opportunity to listen to interesting speakers.
With drought on everyone’s mind, the early topic of
conversation was how much rain had fallen in various
areas.
BOP-Coromandel / Region 5
The Pat Farry walk was the grand finale of a healthfocused regional conference in Rotorua for 26 Rural
Women members from BOP/Coromandel region.
Ten pin bowling and a walk around Rainbow and
Fairy Springs, the Kiwi Encounter, Wingspan, and the
trout hatchery were also part of the fun.
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
North Taranaki Land Girls
A new group, calling themselves the North Taranaki
Landgirls, held its first get together at the end of
April. The theme was “Surviving the Drought” and
as organiser Shonagh Hopkirk says, “We’re all in this
together. The rain may have come, but
the consequences of the dry months
will be felt for many months to come.”
Held at the Huirangi Hall, the evening
was an opportunity to network and
socialize and hear from speakers on
how the dry has impacted landholders
in Taranaki.
The women heard from a dairy farmer and other
speakers on the immediate and long term impact on
pasture condition, the financial impact for farmers,
lifestylers and the region as a whole. The focus was
on neighbourhood support and what people can do
to help themselves and their neighbours through the
tough times.
The group is already planning its next
meeting - a hands-on introduction
to a range of practical tasks such as
water pipe, trough and fencing repairs,
chainsaw safety and basic animal
husbandry on 26 May.
“Our aspiration is to bring women and
men who are interested in sharing experiences, learning
more about working the land and connecting with rural
neighbours, from back yard horticulturists to large scale
agri-business people,” says Shonagh.
Field trip to Taupo
Women In Farming
representatives from around the
country took the opportunity to
meet in Taupo for 48 hours of
networking and learning on 9 and
10 April.
The group was kindly hosted
by three farmers and shown
around their properties within the
Mangakino, Taupo catchment area.
Thanks to Mike and Sharon Barton,
Andy and Rachel Mitchell, and
Peter and Marilyn Kidd.
The women took the opportunity
to learn about the challenges
of farming within the Taupo
catchment and the future of
farming systems for this area
as sustainable, productive and
profitable agribusinesses.
“It gave us all plenty to think about
and take back to our regions and
individual farming systems,” says
trip organiser, Bron Muir, of the
Taranaki Women in Farming group.
“The opportunity to spend two
days of networking with a great
group of like-minded farming
ladies, many of whom were
involved in the initial setup of
the Women In Farming network
in 2003, was fantastic, and the
enthusiasm for the reason as to
why WIF groups are needed is still
there.”
An outcome of the Taupo field
trip, which was also attended
by Taranaki/Waikato national
councillor Shirley Read, and
Rural Women NZ’s marketing
and development officer, Kiera
Jacobson, was the decision to
meet with any interested members
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
to discuss working together
strategically to re-envigorate the
Women in Farming programme.
A meeting is being planned in
Wellington for the end of May or
early June.
If you’d like to be involved in this
meeting, or to find out more,
please contact Kiera Jacobson
on (04) 473 5524 or email kiera.
jacobson@ruralwomen.org.nz.
21
Women Walk the World
Liz Morgan writes to tell us that
Waitanguru branch walked
49kms, while two sets of three
generations enjoyed family time
as they walked with Rukuhia
branch around Lake Rotoroa
in Hamilton city. In all 29 took
part including five children,
who tallied up 103kms and $75
raised for ACWW. “We finished
the afternoon with a picnic
afternoon tea,” says president
Dianne Alston.
Our Taranaki women hit the
news headlines as a large group
of 48 stepped out in style at
Lake Rotokare. Margaret Vickers
says, “We need to keep this as
an annual event and the Taranaki
area want me to arrange more
walks throughout the year.”
South Canterbury Provincial
members were joined by friends
and family for their walk, with
one member having the honour
of being supported by her
daughter, granddaughter and
great-granddaughter! Another
was joined by her daughter
and grandson. All enjoyed their
walking experience in beautiful
weather, tallying up 53kms and
raising $207 for ACWW Pennies
for Friendship.
Scotts Ferry members decided
on a change of scenery when
they walked from Kowhai Park to
Kitchener Park in Feilding.
When you spend the day on
the farm, it can be fun to pound
the pavements for a change. In
Martinborough six members set
off around the outer perimeter
of the township, clocking up
40kms.
The extended summer made for
a lovely walk for 10 members of
Wharepapa South Rural Women
22
continued from page 1
and friends who walked from
the Little Waipa Domain to the
Pokaiwhenua Bridge and back.
After the 11.4km walk the women
enjoyed a well-deserved lunch
and cuppa with views of the
Waikato river.
Four members and a guest from
Whakamaru walked to the Blue
Pool on Te Waihau Walkway,
where water is collected for
bottling. “It was beautiful with
the clearest water we have ever
seen and many fish sighted,” says
Erna Brown. At the mid point
the group enjoyed a picnic, and
using a pedometer clocked up a
total of 15,000 steps each.
In Marlborough, eleven members
from Pelorus branch walked
around the Cullen’s Point track
at Havelock, enjoing a great view
down the Sounds from the top.
“On the Havelock side of the
hill we walked through beautiful
beach forest, punga trees and
many different native ferns,
which made the climb back to
the top more enjoyable,” says
Melva Robb. In total the group
walked 34km and raised $32 for
ACWW.
Fifteen keen walkers from Fordell
Mangamahu ventured forth to
walk a local ‘piece of paradise’
on the Mangamahu ‘Walk the
Bridges’ trail. Each walked
15.2kms and enjoyed great
views over the river, with golden
autumn trees and hills for miles.
Yummy scones and other plates
of goodies brought along were
much appreciated.
Nine Cromwell walkers explored
the Bannockburn goldfield
sluicings blessed with a perfect
day. “As we walked we viewed
what remained of dams, water
races, tunnels and cliff faces,
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
and talked about the hardships
faced by the old miners. We
had panoramic views over the
Cromwell basin as we walked
back to the Bannockburn Hotel
for a most enjoyable glass of
local wine and lunch.” The 9km
walk took just over two hours
and $90 was raised for ACWW.
Two octogenarians were
amongst the seven women who
walked 4km around the Te Aroha
Heritage Trail, ‘refreshing our
memories of what significance
each site held for us’, says Flo
Mace of Te Aroha-Waihou
branch. The group raised $40 for
ACWW.
St Arnaud school children joined in the fun
Into the maw
Henley branch set off for the Taieri river walk
with Beaum
Hill walking for Pelorus Sounds
ont branch
Rukuhia members relax at Lake Rotoroa
Elstow branch enjoyed walking
through the Howard Memorial
Wetlands in Te Aroha, admiring
the many fruit trees and natives
planted by volunteers, adding
28km to our national total.
Twenty-three people from
Mangatoro branch met at the
old Motea school and walked 7.5
kms to Waitahora. Their numbers
were boosted by eight children
who joined in the fun on their
bikes. Gold coin donations and a
raffle saw them raise $260.
Wharepapa South on the
Waikato River Trail
Te Aroha Waihou on the Heritage Trail
A long walk ahead for Fordell Mangamahu
Going bush
with Onewhe
ro
Well done to all!
Moutere members explore the Maitai River
The sun shone for Franklin walkers
On the boardwalk at Lake Ellesmore with Selwyn dinner group
At the end of the day, fond farewells
from Moutere walkers
Martinborough members en route
www.ruralwomen.org.nz
Through the wetlands with Elstow branch
23
Update
At our recent round of regional
conferences, Access board chair
John Ayling, and CEO Graeme
Titcombe, gave presentations
on Access to our members,
highlighting the strength and
success of our wholly-owned
home healthcare company.
We’ve come a long way since the
bush nurse and house keeping
services were first set up by
the Women’s Division of the
Farmer’s Union in the 1920s.
The value of RWNZ’s ownership of
Access as at 30 June 2012 was over
$6million, and the dividend paid to
RWNZ on that date was $300,000.
This shows the importance of this
business for Rural Women NZ,
enabling us to provide a high level
of services to our members and
representation for rural communities.
Some more facts and figures ...
•
•
•
Five of the nine members
of Access’ board are Rural
Women NZ members.
Access’ 3,000 staff provide
home-based aged care,
short term discharge
services, chronic conditions
management, community
nursing, rehabilitation
services, medication
management, and, through
Amida, health and disability
training.
Access’ commitment to
training means it has one
of the most highly trained
teams in the industry.
Access’ head office is in
Wellington, next to Rural Women
NZ’s offices. It also has three
administration and referral
Southern DHB
chooses
Access
Our wholly-owned healthcare
company, Access, is now one of
only three providers delivering
a new model of home and
community support services in
Otago and Southland.
centres, seven regional offices
and 19 branches from Whangarei
to Invercargill.
Our early members’ vision was
to bring quality home-based
care to all parts of New Zealand.
Eighty-five years on Access
still celebrates the legacy of its
founders and embraces their
ideals of caring, service, strength,
loyalty, perseverance and
equality.
Our company continues to face
challenges:
•
Fair and reasonable
recognition of travel for home
support workers
•
Fair and reasonable
employment arrangements that
provide career opportunities for
employees
•
Establishment of a
nationally consistent cost model
that reflects the true costs of
providing services
•
Creating opportunities
to grow existing contracts or
by establishing contracts where
there is presently no presence by
Access Homehealth Ltd
•
Supporting the RWNZ/
Access ‘Partnership Agreement’
And because Access is
employing support workers
from unsuccessful tenderers,
in virtually all cases clients will
continue to have their previous
support worker looking after
them.
To resource the new Otago
contract, Access has purchased
the well-established local
company, Dunedin Home
Support Services.
It also has a subcontract
arrangement with another
highly regarded organisation,
Mosgiel Abilities Resource
Centre.
The new goal-based service
is designed to maximise
independence for homecare
clients.
Access has extensive
experience in other major
New Zealand population
centres delivering the flexible
client-focused services being
introduced by the Southern
DHB.
Access’ NZQA certified training
company, Amida, is also a
valuable asset for helping staff
gain skills and qualifications.
For those looking to extend
their career path, this training
can provide a gateway into
more advanced areas of care.
© 2011. Rural Women New Zealand Inc (and subsequent years) All rights reserved. This publication is entitled to the full protection given by the Copyright Act 1994 to the holders of the copyright. Reproduction of all or any substantial parts of the publication is in breach of the copyright of the publisher Rural Women New Zealand Inc. This copyright extends to all forms of photocopying and any storing of material in any kind of information retrieval system. All applications for reproduction in any form should be made to the publishers – Rural Women New Zealand Inc.
24
www.ruralwomen.org.nz