Danielle England wins - Rural, Remote and Regional (RRR

YOURS
TO KEEP
autumn: 13
Edition 63
ISSN 1445-7210
Danielle England wins
2013 RIRDC Rural Women’s Award
A l s o in t hi s i s su e
1 Wow what a journey
2 Flight of angels
Department of Agriculture and Food
3 A rural balancing act
Department of Regional Development and Lands
GOVERNMENT OF
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
from the chair
In si d e t hi s i s su e
From the Chair
Leonie Noble
From the Chair.......................................2
Finding the links....................................3
Across my desk.....................................4
Start snapping for 2014.........................4
More than honey...................................5
Passionate about pearls.........................6
Forgotten skills brought back to life........7
Coastal Connections..............................8
Multi-media mentoring...........................9
New ways to work................................ 10
Reflections........................................... 11
A little idea making a big difference.....12
Wow, what a journey: thank you,
RIRDC Rural Women’s Award ............. 14
Flight of angels.................................... 15
The rural balancing act........................ 16
Southern scribes have done it again.... 18
Portraits at the bin...............................19
The Gidgegannup to Cambodia Chain..20
Taking tea in the garden......................22
Winning Two Mates..............................23
Living in the regions survey..................23
My view............................................... 24
Welcome to the autumn 2013 edition of the RRR Network News.
Since its inception the RRR Network has had amazing, knowledgeable,
and talented women forming its Reference Group. These women live in
your communities, have very diverse interests, lives and skills, and most
importantly, they care. They care about people, about their communities and
about making a difference.
It is with some sadness that I farewell Dianne Westlake of Geraldton and
Cathy Denehy of Albany from the Reference Group. These women have
tirelessly worked to raise rural issues for discussion and action, they’ve
profiled RRR at local events and shared the achievements of RRR women.
It is with many thanks I say farewell and wish them both success in their
future endeavours.
Fortunately, when we lose members we also gain members and I would
like to warmly welcome Jackie Jarvis of Margaret River, Monica Treasure of
Wandering and Renee Manning of Merredin to the RRR family.
February, along with school starting and our first meeting for the year, saw us
celebrate the achievements of WA women through the annual RIRDC Rural
Women’s Award. I would like to congratulate the winner, Danielle England, and
all the outstanding finalists. Their stories are showcased in this edition for your
enjoyment.
2013 also sees the RRR move from the Department of Agriculture and Food
in South Perth to the Department of Regional Development and Lands on
William Street. This move will be completed by 30 June. Any changes to
contact details will be on the RRR website.
I hope that you enjoy the stories of amazing Western Australia women
showcased in this edition of the RRR Network News, and if you have a story
you would like published, please contact us.
Yours in RRR
Leonie N oble
Chair RRR Network
WA winner of the 2013 RIRDC
Rural Women’s Award
Danielle England of Narrogin
Photo courtesy of David Bicknell
2
The Rural Remote and Regional Women’s Network
is a communication network whose main role is
to provide a mechanism for networking, sharing
and disseminating information relevant to the
development of women and communities in
rural, remote and regional Western Australia.
The RRR Reference Group provides advice and
feedback to the Government on issues impacting
women in RRR Western Australia.
Network News autumn 13
CO V E R STORY
narrogin
Images courtesy of David Bicknell
Finding the links
The 2013 Western
Australian RIRDC Rural
Women’s Award winner
was Narrogin agricultural
consultant and farmer,
Danielle England.
A typical Wheatbelt girl, Danielle
grew up on a wheat and sheep
farm in Lake Grace where she has
fond memories of catching yabbies,
swimming in the dam, chasing
sheep on her horse, helping with the
seeding, and working ‘on-the-bins’ at
harvest.
Her passion in agriculture was
instilled early and was fostered
during her time at Muresk Institute,
where she graduated in 1997 with
first class honours and a Degree in
Agribusiness Marketing. Danielle has
spent the past 15 years working and
living in rural Australia where she
has worked with the grains, sheep,
grass-fed cattle and dairy industries
Danielle England
The Rural Industries and Research Development Corporation (RIRDC)
Rural Women’s Award acknowledges that women offer a unique approach
to leadership, and identifies and supports emerging leaders to drive
innovation, productivity and sustainability within primary industries, and
build economic and social development within rural communities.
in Western Australia, Victoria and
South Australia. She is a strong
supporter of agricultural research
and industry development, and is
passionate about its role in improving
industry resilience, sustainability and
profitability.
opportunity to live and work in rural
WA and to enjoy Wheatbelt views out
their kitchen window.
After graduation, Danielle and
her husband Jonathan managed
an 8,000 head Merino flock on
Jonathan’s family farm in South
Australia for eight years, before
moving back to WA in 2006.
During this time Danielle worked
with the Department of Primary
Industries and Resources SA as
a pasture consultant, and then
privately with groups and farmers
across SA and Victoria.
“As an industry we need to explore
how we can welcome and introduce
new ideas into our family farm
businesses, grow our international
markets, and maintain the rural
communities that are the cornerstone
of rural WA,” she said.
Danielle initially worked with the
Department of Agriculture and Food
WA when she moved back to WA,
helping industry bodies demonstrate
their environmental sustainability.
She has now been with Planfarm for
two years as the Grain and Graze
2 project officer. This role involves
State-wide coordination of extension
activities with farmers, research
organisations, grower groups,
agronomists and farm business
consultants.
Danielle’s RIRDC Rural Women’s
Award project will look at the
role research, development and
extension have played in keeping
New Zealand agriculture innovative
and internationally competitive.
New Zealand agriculture enjoys a
strong link between private business
consultants and the delivery of
extension and industry development
projects, a link that is weak in WA
broad acre agriculture.
Today she is still enjoying the country
lifestyle with her husband, and
daughter Georgina, on their small
property near Narrogin where they
run 80 ewes, and crop about 20ha
per year. Whilst it is very small by WA
standards, it still gives the family the
Network News AUTUMN 13
With the market and finance
structures changing, Danielle
believes that WA agriculture too
needs to be changing.
“It is going to be an exciting 10 years
or so as we begin to restructure
our industry to optimise outside
capital, yet maintain our family and
community connections.”
Danielle is keen to explore how these
two, seemingly separate, parts of the
industry can better work together
to encourage greater adoption of
industry research, leading to more
profitable, sustainable and resilient
farming businesses.
Danielle@planfarm.com.au
3
across my desk
RRR NETWORK NEWS
Network News is published quarterly by the
RRR Network to share stories and photographs
from and about women living in rural, remote
and regional Western Australia.
The RRR Network was established in 1996
to bring together women in rural, remote and
regional Western Australia to recognise, promote
and expand on the contribution they make
to their communities. The Network is a joint
project of the State Government’s Department
of Agriculture and Food and Department of
Regional Development and Lands.
Circulation for this edition is 10,032. The
magazine is distributed free to regional
subscribers throughout Western Australia and
organisations in Australia and overseas.
Editorial material in RRR Network News is
copyright and may not be reproduced without
permission from the Editor. Views expressed in
Network News are not necessarily those of the
RRR Network.
DISCLAIMER: Inclusion of an advertisement
or sponsor’s symbol in the RRR Network
publications does not imply endorsement of
the product or sponsor by the RRR Network
and the Department of Agriculture and Food
and Department of Regional Development and
Lands.
RRR NETWORK EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Katrina Hayes
EDITOR
Katrina Hayes
RRR NETWORK OFFICE
RRR Network News
Tel (08) 6552 4486
Fax (08) 6552 4417
Email: rrr.network@rdl.wa.gov.au
Website: www.rrr.wa.gov.au
REGIONAL EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
Jen Collins, Janine Phillips, Sally Thomson
RURAL, REMOTE AND REGIONAL WOMEN’S
REFERENCE GROUP
Leonie Noble – Geraldton (Chair), Michelle
Barrett – Munglinup, Margaret Bertling –
Karratha, Paula Bray – Derby, Jenifer Collins –
Northam, Jo Fulwood – Cunderdin, Jackie Jarvis
– Margaret River, Lola Jones – Broome, Irene
Mills AM – Pithara, Renee Manning – Merredin,
Jodie Mortadza – Bindoon, Janine Phillips –
Peaceful Bay, Sally Thomson – Woodanilling and
Monica Treasure – Wandering.
GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES
DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
AND LANDS
Deborah Rice
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
Michael Tindall
DESIGN
Linkletters
PRINTING
Quality Press
NEXT EDITION
Theme: Our Creative Side
Deadline for copy for the summer edition of RRR
Network News is 15 April 2013. The next edition
is due in June 2013.
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
See the subscription form on the back page or
contact the RRR Network office.
ISSN 1445-7210
4
Across my desk
Katrina Hayes
Welcome to the first edition of Network News for 2013. This edition is
themed Stepping Out as women across Western Australia demonstrate their
determination, strength and drive as they love living, working and sharing in
their communities.
The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural
Women’s Award is also featured in this edition of Network News. There were six
strong finalists in this year’s WA award, and a big congratulations to the winner,
Danielle England of Narrogin, and runner-up, Leilani Leyland of Beechboro.
The award supports women with a vision for the future sustainability of
agriculture, including forestry, fisheries, natural resource management
and related industries. The six finalists were from diverse industries and
showcased the amazing work of Western Australian women.
It has been a busy start to the year for RRR as we farewelled two members
from the Reference Group – Cathy Denehy of Albany and Dianne Westlake
of Geraldton – and welcomed three new members to its Reference Group at
the February meeting – Jackie Jarvis of Margaret River, Renee Manning of
Merredin, and Monica Treasure of Bannister.
If you’re not already registered, sign up for the RRR e-newsletter to hear more
from them throughout the year.
Among a variety of articles, this edition also includes a story from one of our
Reference Group members who used the services of the Royal Flying Doctor
Service (RFDS) to access timely medical care locally. Western Australians
have always experienced vast distances between towns and many RRR
women depend on the RFDS to continue to live safely in their communities.
I look forward to another productive year with the RRR Network and
encourage you to share your stories and to contact us with information of
interest to RRR women and communities.
Katrina Hayes
RRR Network, Executive Officer
Contact the RRR on our new number 08 6652 4486
or email rrr.network@rdl.wa.gov.au
Start snapping for 2014
Following the success of the RRR 2013
Family Organiser, now is the time to start
planning your photos for the 2014 edition.
Each month will have a theme including
land and environment, water, arts and
culture, community sport, generations,
enterprise and innovation, and
celebrations.
Send in your images of rural, remote and
regional life throughout the year.
Network News autumn 13
CO V E R STORY
B ee c h i n a
More than honey
Realising the importance of faceto-face contact with the community
– and to increase awareness of the
honeybee industry – we began to
sell at local markets and at events
such as the Dowerin Field Days and
Gidgegannup Show.
One of the six finalists in this
year’s RIRDC Rural Woman’s
Award is Leilani Leyland.
Leilani is from Beechina, about
an hour east of Perth, and her
passion is bees.
Did you know that one in every
three mouthfuls of food we eat is
brought to us by bees?
I met my beekeeper husband Dave
in 1982 and began learning about
bees and honey. I can’t say I had
ever considered how honey was
produced before I met Dave, and
what I am still learning 30 years on
continues to amaze me.
Early on I would occasionally help
out in the extraction plant or help
Dave move the bees. It wasn’t until
after our two girls started school
that I began to actively assist in the
business, aptly named Bees Neez
Apiaries.
I began with bottling, labeling and
supplying tubs and jars of honey to
our local service station, and from
there it snowballed to supplying
around 30 shops with different size
containers of varietal honeys.
I also realised that it was important
to teach young people about the
value of honey, so I arranged to
visit pre-primary schools where I
would take a beehive and varietal
honey for the children to try. I
am passionate about teaching
children about honey bees and the
importance they play in other food
production. The knowledge gained
from these talks is evident from the
questions asked by the children.
My vision for the beekeeping
industry is for it to continue to
grow with beekeepers producing
more honey and providing greater
pollination services to the agricultural
and horticultural industries.
Australia’s 9,600 beekeepers
produce about 30,000 tonnes of
honey a year from 600,000 hives,
however their main contribution is
the pollination of many vegetable and
fruit crops worth between $4-6 billion
to the Australian economy. There are
approximately 1,000 beekeepers in
WA who produce 3,000 tonnes of
honey from 29,000 hives.
To do this, beekeepers need to
work with government departments
and highlight that we are a viable
industry. We also need to encourage
more young people into the
industry, improve the marketing
of our hive products, and provide
training to enable the businesses
that are established to be more
successful. All these things can be
achieved through Honey Week.
Network News AUTUMN 13
Leilani Leyland
Being involved, and with the
knowledge I am gaining, I can see
the industry is in danger of decline.
It is for this reason that I have
found myself nominating for various
committees within the industry:
Secretary for Pollination Association
of WA, Bee Informed Industry
newsletter, Jarrah Honey Promotions
Committee and recently the
Agricultural Producers Beekeepers
Committee and WA Farmers
Beekeepers Section Executive
Committee.
The inaugural 2012 Honey Week
Festival exhibited that there is an
interest by the public and there is
a need for the industry to further
educate the public about honey
bees and encourage more people
to look at beekeeping as a career of
choice.
We aim to make Honey Week a
yearly event to promote honey bees
and their products and their role as
pollinators in food production. For
the 2013 Honey Week Festival we
would like to upscale the activities to
showcase the industry.
This year will offer a unique
opportunity to promote honey
bees as research scientists at
UWA were involved in the making
of a theatrical movie “More
than Honey”. The launch of this
documentary will certainly generate
broad public interest and promote
bee related issues.
I applied for the Rural Women’s
Award as I believe it is the vehicle
to attract the attention our industry
needs, to show the importance
honey bees play in many areas, not
just the production of honey.
beesneez@iinet.net.au
5
CO V E R STORY
Ge r a l d t o n
Passionate about pearls
Pia Boschetti
Diamonds may be a girl’s best
friend, but pearls are the passion
of RIRDC finalist, Pia Boschetti.
In just a short period of time, the
Gallery is now considered a major
tourist destination in Geraldton.
Back in 2007, Pia was encouraged
to enter the RIRDC Rural Woman’s
Award, at which she achieved
Runner-Up. This was a lifechanging award as it gave Pia
a greater appreciation of what
woman in the rural sector have
to offer. Surrounded by women
demonstrating great examples
of what could be achieved, Pia
realised that she needed to
dedicate herself to up skilling,
growth and development in order to
achieve her dreams and not waiver
from her goals.
To lead others effectively, Pia must
lead herself with passion and
enthusiasm, a quality she shares
with all her team members.
Pia Boschetti is part of the family
business Latitude Fisheries Pty Ltd.
Her role in the company for the last
12 years has been managing the
pearl farm, located 70km off the
coast of Geraldton at a group of
islands called the Abrolhos Islands.
Encouraged by the compliments she
receives regarding the gallery, her
determination of ensuring excellent
customer service and outstanding
results is to be applauded in the
current climate in the retail sector.
Located in Geraldton, Latitude Gallery
showcases Pia’s pearls.
I also want to open the
eyes of young women to
all of the opportunities
that lie before them …
At Latitude Gallery, Pia insists
that all team members under
her influence go beyond what is
expected to create a successful and
growing business.
Pia’s vision is to market her pearls
to the world and plans to exhibit
in Florida USA. The exhibition
would include original handcrafted
jewellery made with her own
Abrolhos Island pearls.
“I would like to show the world what
we can do,” she said.
“I want to exceed the expectations
of all those that will attend the
exhibition. I also want to open the
eyes of young women to all of the
opportunities that lie before them.
With hard work and dedication,
dreams can be achieved.”
info@latitudepearls.com.au
Initially she used to sell her pearls
through the family seafood shop,
often to the amusement of many
customers, however it was this
casual and honest environment that
made Pia’s pearls stand out.
Four years ago Pia progressed to
opening a separate retail outlet,
named Latitude Gallery, where she
could showcase her pearls along
with other Australian produced
opals, diamonds and South Sea
pearls. The Gallery also exhibited
collections of jewellery and art from
renowned Western Australian artists.
6
For the past 12 years, Pia has managed the
pearl farm located at the Abrolhos Islands.
Network News AUTUMN 13
CO V E R STORY
Ma r g a r e t R i ve r
Forgotten skills brought
back to life
Jodie Lane
RIRDC finalist Jodie Lane is
passionate about sustainable
farming and rural communities.
I’ve always had a passion for
healthy sustainable lands and
communities; to me they go handin-hand. Living in Margaret River
I am witnessing a shift from a rural
population to a suburban one, yet
so many of the people that have
recently moved to the region do so
because they love the country and
want to be a part of it.
The demand for local, fresh produce
is growing, something that can be
seen by the expanding farmers
markets, small businesses based
on local produce springing up
everywhere, and people growing
more of their own food in their
backyards. This is not just a local
phenomenon but a nationwide
one that is beginning to have real
implications on our agricultural
community as more farmers,
especially farmers on smaller
properties, are catering for the local,
fresh and organic markets.
I am one of the founders of Fair
Harvest, a permaculture farm 5km
out of Margaret River in Australia’s
beautiful South West corner,
where we wish to support and
encourage this growing demand by
offering a place for demonstration
and learning, and a place that is
accessible to all members of our
growing community. We want to
be able to offer a range of handson experiential courses from bee
keeping to jam making, where those
with the skills and knowledge can
pass it on to others and inspire
them to get involved with the land
and its produce.
In December last year we held a
Festival of Forgotten Skills, a day
that was open to all to come and
learn some of those skills that are
used less now days. We had a
huge response to the day with far
more people coming through the
gates than we expected. Skills on
offer ranged from cheese making to
spinning and felting. All of the skills
were based on local raw materials,
and all were skills that could be
passed on with a little time and
patience. In total there were 25
skills demonstrated.
Network News AUTUMN 13
From this day, we have developed a
program of skills-sharing workshops
such as making haloumi and feta
cheeses, tomato chutneys and
sauces, basket weaving using local
materials and basic beekeeping.
These courses are being received
enthusiastically and we hope to
develop more courses as time goes
on and more people with more skills
come on board.
Our business is based in our
renovated farm shed and extends out
through our veggie gardens, orchard,
poultry, aquaponics and other
practices through the olive grove and
out into the paddocks where we have
cattle, plantation timber (bush poles
and firewood) and areas of bushland
re-vegetation. Over time we wish
to develop each of these systems
to be classrooms for sustainable
agriculture, inviting both local and
visiting teachers to pass on their
knowledge of land management.
For now, we are loving the sense
of community growing around us
as people get to learn new talents,
meet new people and participate in
real meaningful activities.
jodielane@iinet.net.au
7
CO V E R STORY
N o r t h B ea c h
Coastal Connections
Fishing is more than just a
recreational activity according to
RIRDC finalist Ellen Smith, as
she demonstrates why aquatic
sustainability is essential for both
the eco system and the economy
of many regional communities.
quick to get an amazing job in the
role of Regional Policy Officer at
Recfishwest, the peak independent
body representing recreational
fishers in Western Australia.
Having grown up in Albany I
had a great appreciation for the
importance of aquatic resources
to the social and economic fabric
which drives regional communities
and just how much value is placed
on recreational fishing.
Now, over twelve months after
beginning the role at Recfishwest,
I continue to develop relationships
and strong ties with the people of
regional WA who are so passionate
about their fishing pastime, and so
driven on topics and issues they
truly pour their heart and soul into.
I loved living by the ocean in Albany
on the South Coast of WA and it
took a steely determination to drag
myself away from it to face the
challenges of city life as a university
student.
The long queues, traffic lights,
suburbia, eating two minute noodles
for three meals a day… boy did I
miss home!
There was always the light at the
end of the tunnel that drove me
forward though; knowing that once
I had graduated I would have a
career which never strayed far from
the ocean.
I completed a Bachelor of Aquatic
Science and Coastal Zone
Management in 2011 and was
8
Ellen Smith
I see the fishing clubs of regional
coastal towns as the life of the
community. They are a place where
people come together to meet,
socialise, debate, raise concerns
and make changes for the better.
It is my belief that fishers should
be recognised as the “stewards of
our aquatic environment”, being
eyes on the water and attuned to
long term changes to their precious
environment.
The positive impact of recreational
fishing on industries in regional and
remote towns is immeasurable. We
only need consider the local petrol
stations, caravan parks, mechanics
and tackle stores to begin to see the
positive impact this activity bestows
upon communities.
My vision focuses on the water
catchment areas of South West WA,
which feed into important nursery
areas for aquatic life.
Network News AUTUMN 13
The positive impact of
recreational fishing on
industries in regional
and remote towns is
immeasurable.
In order to continue the intrinsic
Australian recreational fishing
pastime, fish must be sustainable.
With many fish species completing
an important part of their lifecycle
within estuaries, it is imperative that
water quality remains healthy. Many
local communities recognise the
significance of these waterways, but
lack the resources and leadership to
take the next step.
I plan to work towards a greater
community understanding,
ownership and participation in
the active maintenance and repair
of the tributaries, streams, rivers
and estuaries of the South West
to ensure fish populations remain
sustainable well into the future.
I am committed through my work,
and through a strong personal
passion for aquatic resources, to
continually improve the recreational
fishing industry for those who
impact and are impacted by it.
Ellen@recfishwest.org.au
CO V E R STORY
Mt Barker
Multi-media mentoring
Kim Tyrer
What does it take to be a woman
who is empowered as a leader of
her business or community?
RRR found out from RIRDC
finalist Kim Tyrer.
But three months later my father
was diagnosed with cancer and
within another three months he
passed away. I was 26 years old.
I dropped everything and began
working for my family business.
At the time there was a winery full of
wine to be bottled, a warehouse full
of wine to be sold, and a vineyard
that had burst from spring. Where
was one to begin?
Ten years later and I have been on
the biggest learning curve of my life.
The biggest lesson was turning my
business from controlling me, to a
business that I controlled.
Kim Tyrer and Galafrey Wines Vineyards
Platters
I grew up in the wine industry but
choose not to live in my father’s
shadow (it was a big shadow) and
I wanted to be successful in my own
industry – the Arts – just as he had
done in wine.
After seven years practising as a
successful visual artist in my own
right, my father sat me down and
spoke to me about his succession
plan.
‘In 10 years I will retire at the age
of 65. Do I build the business to be
sold or do I build the business to
be taken over by you as a managed
position?’ he asked.
Thinking I would have the best of
both worlds – art and wine –
I answered the question as any
emotional person would have ‘No,
no dad, I will take on Galafrey as a
managed position.’
When my father died I looked for
advice. I wanted answers.
I believe my project will help
women became leaders within their
own fields. Why? Because when
I was in a difficult place I had to
make good decisions, take on roles,
work hard, learn from my mistakes
and know who I was and what
needed to be done.
My project is a 12 week journey
of self-discovery and selfempowerment, creating a 12 week
online course aimed at empowering
women to take on leadership roles
within their own business and
communities, enabling woman
anywhere to come on a journey with
me from the comfort of their homes,
to learn, be inspired and help build
their own business skills.
I had to make good
decisions, take on roles,
work hard, learn from
my mistakes …
Often we are isolated within our own
business, not only by distance, but
also when we are in family business
repeating what our parents did or
being in business with our parents
who have certain ideas!
By producing a series of online
webinars, supported with audio
and transcripts, I will create multimedia content that can be readily
accessed by anyone, regardless
of their location. It is an innovative
project that directly deals with many
of the issues of family business.
What does it take to be a woman
who is empowered as a leader of
her business or community? Selfbelief and confidence, a support
network, knowledge and passion
with conviction, being organised and
above all seizing the opportunity.
My 12 week course will teach all
of these skills and be an innovative
concept to really make women stand
out in their fields.
kim@galafreywines.com.au
I have found mentoring a very
valuable tool to the development
of our regional business however
mentoring is generally a one-on-one
experience.
Network News AUTUMN 13
9
Ne t w o r k s
meckering
New ways to work
In the Wheatbelt, like many other regional areas in WA, the attraction
and retention of skilled staff is a significant challenge. The remoteness
of some parts of the region make traditional office-based work impossible
and for many, limits opportunities for participation in the workforce.
across the whole of the Wheatbelt
region” said Executive Officer
Rebekah Burges.
“When you cover a region that
spans a geographical area of greater
than 150,000 square kilometres and
encompassing 43 Local Government
areas, the task of getting out and
engaging with our diverse range of
stakeholders is a huge challenge.”
Rebekah Burges, Executive Officer of
RDA Wheatbelt, on the family wheat and
sheep farm in Meckering, where she lives
and works.
So how do we overcome this barrier
of distance and isolation? For
Regional Development Australia
(RDA) Wheatbelt, embracing
telework has proved to be an
effective and highly productive
employment model.
The RDA network is an Australian
Government initiative that aims to
develop, strengthen and ensure the
long-term sustainability of Australia’s
regions. RDA Wheatbelt is one of 55
RDA committees that are working to
develop solutions to the economic,
social and environmental issues
affecting regional communities
across Australia.
“A key component of the work that
we do, involves actively engaging
with a wide range of stakeholders
10
RDA Wheatbelt’s response to this
challenge has been to employ
people strategically around the
region rather than having a central
office base.
“At present we have a staff of
11 people and there are no two
people located in the same town,”
explained Rebekah.
RDA Wheatbelt has two office
locations: one in Gingin, which acts
as the administrative office, and
one in York which accommodates
RDA Wheatbelt’s Youth Connections
program. One staff member is
located in each office and the
remaining staff, including the
Executive Officer, work from home
under a teleworking arrangement.
RDA Wheatbelt staff member
Sharyn Day said the teleworking
system results in a highly productive
and relaxed team.
“I find working from a home
office beneficial in my approach
towards my work. I find it less
stressful because I am in a relaxed
Network News AUTUMN 13
Rebekah Burges
A key component of the
work that we do, involves
actively engaging with a
wide range of stakeholders
across the whole of the
Wheatbelt region …
environment in my own space which
allows my productivity and creativity
to flow,” said Sharyn.
“I am an email away from help
if I need it and the response
time is more expedient than
making appointments that suit all
schedules.”
So is telework the solution for all
businesses? Maybe not, but as
Rebekah Burges explains, it is
definitely an option for regional
teams.
“In our context this model makes
the most sense. It is both strategic
and productive as our staff are well
informed and responsive to local
needs, they can be where we need
them when we need them and we
are not wasting money on office
space that would be empty most of
the time.
“Our telework model has also
enabled us to employ talented
people that due to isolation or
other factors may have otherwise
been unable to participate in the
workforce.”
For more information on telework
and to see RDA Wheatbelt’s
“Telework in Action” video casestudy visit www.telework.gov.au
rebekah.burges@rdawheatbelt.com.au
Ne t w o r k s
e s pe r a n c e
Reflections
Lois Saunders
The women’s triumphant return on the foreshore at Esperance. (Photo by L Johnson)
Adventure, achievement and an overwhelming demonstration of community spirit were the outcomes of the
Esperance 100s and 1000s Women’s Walk to raise funds to support the rehabilitation of young patients
with disabilities and injuries.
Sixty intrepid walkers set off on
29 September for a four-day, 100km
trek to an unknown destination
along an undisclosed route across
varied terrain.
Through a wide range of fundraising
activities, and the financial
support of family, friends and local
businesses, each walker raised the
$1000 entry fee and often more.
In all, $65,000 was donated to erect
a playground at Esperance Hospital
to be used for rehabilitation for
young patients with disabilities and
injuries, and as a family space for
visitors to meet newborn siblings.
On day one, silence was scant as
women, aged from 15 years to 75,
set off on a westerly course
to discover the changing
vistas of seascapes,
sand hills, salt lakes and
pastures.
The challenges of blisters
and a smothering, hot
northerly wind on the
homeward leg along the
beach on day four failed to
dampen the collective will.
Accredited traffic management
crews assembled signage; Lions
manned the checkpoints; volunteers
prepared meals; Rotarians
transported the mountain of tents
and luggage and erected the circus
tent, camp kitchen, toilets and
hot showers at the campsite; and
a Pilates instructor eased aching
muscles.
On day two, walkers were treated to
stunning wildflowers, lush farmland,
rustic lanes, wetlands, an aeronautic
flypast and spectacular bellydancing display.
After a long trek along orderly
tree-farms on day three, one
family opened their backyard and
swimming pool to the walkers for
their lunch break, while another
family hosted the campsite in a
stunning location beneath
Mt Merivale.
Many farmers mowed paths through
their paddocks to help walkers better
see the lively and abundant dugites.
The challenges of blisters and a
smothering, hot northerly wind on
the homeward leg along the beach
on day four failed to dampen the
collective will.
It was a proud moment when the
women returned to the Esperance
foreshore en masse and crossed the
finish line together.
loiss@westnet.com.au
Donated banana bread,
yoyo biscuits, oatcakes
and brownies at the first
pit-stop hinted at the
incredible community
support for their trek.
Myrup campsite
Network News AUTUMN 13
11
S t epp in g O u t
KULIN
A little idea making
a big difference
Nicole Thompson
“It is the simple things in
life that many of us take for
granted and that these children
need the most,” a sentiment
expressed by a volunteer camp
counsellor for the Global Good
Foundation.
by domestic violence, through the
provision of education, training and
empowerment programs.
What really caught Yvonne’s
attention was that the article also
mentioned the GGF had a vision
to run programs in a rural-based
environment.
Recognising the opportunity to do
something good for others, Yvonne
sent an email to Tanya Dupagne
suggesting that Kulin was the ideal
place to host the GGF rural camps.
Accommodation was available, and
sports facilities, farm activities and
bush picnics could all be arranged
and topped off with the wonderful
country hospitality.
Campers painted the tin horse.
This same sentiment rang true for
Kulin resident Yvonne Bowey, a busy
mum of three boys, farmer’s wife,
business woman and community
volunteer, when earlier this year
she came across an article in
the Weekend Australian on the
charitable organisation The Global
Good Foundation (GGF).
The article explored the work of
two women, Tenille Bentley and
Tanya Dupagne, who through their
work with GGF aim to set a global
standard on the rehabilitation
methods used for children affected
12
Statistics show that one in five
children in Australia have been
impacted by domestic violence, and
80 per cent of them will repeat the
cycle later in life. The Global Good
Foundation camps aim to have a
place where children can feel safe,
where they can learn, have fun and
improve their self-confidence, and
achieve things they never thought
were possible. This opportunity,
together with the provision of
ongoing support, assists children
affected by domestic violence in
breaking the cycle.
Living in a town like Kulin, a place
where creating a quirky tourist
attraction known as the Tin Horse
Highway, hosting the annual Kulin
Bush Races and building the
biggest water slide in regional WA is
all in a day’s work.
Network News AUTUMN 13
Volunteering at camp
with the GGF has been
the most meaningful
week in my life.”
Camp volunteer.
Making things happen is second
nature in Kulin. So Yvonne, being a
‘doer’, soon spread the word around
Kulin that the idea of hosting such a
camp was possible and had merit.
The Shire agreed and soon after the
dynamic Jane Ardagh, Manager of
Leisure Services, came on board.
Jane and Yvonne worked hard to
bring it all together – organising and
coordinating sponsors, volunteers,
caterers and buses. It wasn’t long
before ideas became reality and
soon the camp was booked!
Twenty seven campers from the
Perth metropolitan area, ranging
in ages eight to 12 years and who
have witnessed or been impacted
by domestic violence, made their
way to GGF Kids Camp in Kulin with
a team of camp counsellors and
Tanya Dupagne.
Climbing Jilakin Rock tested the campers.
S t epp in g O u t
Due to the success of the October
camp, GGF (in conjunction with the
fantastic community of Kulin) are
working to ensure this is an ongoing
project. Recent news from Jane is
that an additional camp was held in
January and another is booked for
April 2013.
Kulin Aquatic Centre provided one of the camp activity venues.
Over four nights and five days
they worked together through a
series of activities designed to
teach leadership, trust, confidence,
self-esteem and teamwork, all
while absorbing the fantastic
country lifestyle Kulin offers. They
discovered the iconic Tin Horse
Highway, explored a local farm to
learn about the machinery and play
with chickens, lambs and goats.
The troop of campers caught
yabbies fresh from the dam – a big
highlight of the trip – and tested
themselves climbing Jilakin Rock,
which for many was a chance to
overcome their fears and learn to
place trust in others.
The feedback from all involved in
the camp has been amazing, with
Jane and all sponsors receiving
beautiful handmade cards from
the kids.
Tanya also put together the Global
Good Foundation Kids Camp
Feedback Pack which demonstrates
the impact the camp had on the
lives of these young people.
The Kulin community was proud to
host such a worthy camp funded
entirely by sponsors and local
businesses.
For more information visit
www.ggf.org.au/project@kulin.wa.gov.au
Global Good Foundation believes
that through instilling these values
and skills at a young age, and
providing long-term ongoing support
and encouragement to the children
attending the camp, they are
provided with the tools they require
to break the domestic violence cycle
later in life and to go on to achieve
their goals.
The food should get a special
mention with local sporting groups
participating in the catering.
Roast lamb and vegetables, lasagne,
homemade scones, fresh fruit – all
of which we are fortunate to sit down
to most days in our homes – were
sometimes tried for the first time by
many of the children on camp.
Any program that teaches the
fundamentals of moral behaviour,
respect for self and others, and also
builds a sense of self esteem and
pride in children, is worthwhile and
meaningful.
Network News AUTUMN 13
13
In sp i r in g W o m e n
B O Y U P B ROOK
In 2012 Catherine Marriott was
the Western Australia winner and
national runner-up for the RIRDC
Rural Women’s Award. She has
rejoiced in her experiences in the
year since she won the award.
Wow, what a journey:
thank you, RIRDC Rural
Women’s Award
Catherine Marriott
What an amazing journey it has
been. I have met some really
inspirational people, shared stories,
laughed, cried, had amazing
conversations and thoroughly
enjoyed the whole experience.
I have a dream, where all
Australians have a mutual respect,
passion and understanding for
Australian agriculture. I also have
faith in fellow rural women and know
that together, we can contribute to
our industry and make my dream a
reality, one conversation at a time.
Following the live trade ban and
watching the powerlessness of
producers, I decided that I wanted
to do something that would prevent
this happening again. Producers
were starting a conversation from
a place of defence, and this is no
place to start a conversation.
Upon reflection I can’t and won’t
blame the public for their reaction
as they had no other information
to compare it to. To them, that
was main stream. How was urban
Australia to know it didn’t represent
what happens generally? Where had
the farmers been in the agricultural
conversation?
I applied for the RIRDC Rural
Women’s Award in February last
year to see if I could create a
space where we took back some
control over the way agriculture is
portrayed.
14
I launched my project in Broome in
April last year. My project was to get
a group of women together to learn
about ourselves, gain confidence
and learn how to communicate and
engage effectively. We held a three
day workshop with three amazing
presenters: Charlie Arnot from the
American Center for Food Integrity,
Rebel Black from I’m Not Fussy and
Zoe Routh from the Australian Rural
Leadership Foundation.
Last year we ran two forums and
took the first ever women’s only
tour of the Indonesian beef supply
chain. Those women are now doing
amazing things on the ground with
Indonesian women, all on their own,
and I am so happy for them all and
proud of what they are achieving.
I am passionate about building
confidence and capacity in our
industry’s richest resource, its
people. Last year I did my MyersBriggs Type Indicator accreditation
and spent three weeks in the USA
with Charlie Arnot learning what they
do and how they are changing the
agricultural conversation.
In agriculture, we have so much to
celebrate, including the role we play
in working with and caring for our
animals, our environment, our local
communities, our families and being
able to provide the world with safe,
nutritious food. However we don’t
talk about this.
I have been so inspired by the
people that I have met on my
journey this past year and am
looking forward to what life will
bring next.
I want to do a huge shout-out for
all the women in rural Australia:
you are inspiring, energising,
intelligent people. Thank you so
much for your belief in yourselves
and in rural Australia.
For more information on
Influential Women, visit
www.influentialwomen.com.au
Catherine@influentialwomen.com.au
Network News AUTUMN 13
Ne t w o r k s
Cunderdin
Flight of angels
Jo Fulwood
It’s sometimes called the flight of the angels. The one flight that just might save your life. The angels on board
come in all shapes and sizes, disguised as doctors, flight nurses, and pilots. And it was one particular flight that
saved my daughter’s life.
… the single greatest contribution
to the effective settlement of the
far distant country that we have
witnessed in our time …
Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies
once described the RFDS as
“perhaps the single greatest
contribution to the effective
settlement of the far distant country
that we have witnessed in our time.”
Susan Highfield RFDS
On a December evening we
became part of the 270,000 people
Australia-wide each year that rely on
the incredible skills and dedication
of the Royal Flying Doctors Service
(RFDS).
Susan was our nurse and Nigel was
our pilot, and even though it was
the end of the day and they had
families to go home to, they were at
the airstrip waiting patiently for our
ambulance to arrive. They said they
were enjoying the sunset.
Full of humour and good spirits, they
kept me sane and stable while my
tiny daughter struggled to breathe
without oxygen.
To tell you our story I need
to explain how health care in
Wheatbelt communities works.
Our farm isn’t so far from the
metropolitan area, and on previous
occasions when my little girl has
been hospitalised we’ve relied
on the amazing support of the
community volunteers who run the
St John Ambulance service. As
long-term volunteers retire and are
not replaced, the remaining few
dedicated volunteers can no longer
maintain a full-time service to local
communities.
So on a night when there were no
available St John volunteers, my little
girl and I found ourselves in serious
trouble. Cue the RFDS.
This service was established by
Presbyterian Minister Rev. John
Flynn specifically for pioneers in
outback Queensland, and has been
operating there since 1928. It was
officially established in Western
Australia in June 1936, however,
early records show that a medical
aircraft service had been operating
in the eastern Goldfields as early as
1931 or 1932.
Network News AUTUMN 13
The RFDS operates 53 fully
instrumented aircraft from 21
bases across Australia. Their
pilots annually fly the equivalent
of 25 round trips to the moon and
their doctors and flight nurses are
responsible for the care of nearly
270 000 patients.
To put it simply – out here in rural
and regional WA, the RFDS is our
safety net.
We made it to the city, we made it
to the hospital and we also made
it home again. Healthy, but much
wiser from our adventure. I’m sad to
say it took a first-hand experience to
make me realise how vital the RFDS
is to families who live outside the
metropolitan area.
It also took an event like this to show
me how dedicated and important,
but also how incredibly short
staffed, the country volunteer St
John Ambulance stations are.
On both accounts, I hope others
don’t need the sort of convincing
that I did!
jo@fulwood.com.au
15
In sp i r in g W o m e n
l ake gr ace
The rural balancing act
Sarah Allen, writer & mother
For rural women, life is often one big balancing act as we aim to
be a good mother, friend, sister, daughter, businesswoman, partner,
community member, or all of the above. But is it possible that we can
find the right balance to be our personal best at all of these?
My Nan chuckles at me over the
phone, as she hears me struggling
to get my youngest boy out of
the storeroom where he’s into the
cat biscuits again. I recount my
frustration and anger at his refusal
to eat a lovingly prepared meal, only
to sneak outside minutes later to
chomp on some dry Friskies.
“Ah Sarah,” she says. “Do you
remember how you used to tell me
that you were never going to live on
a farm, and how you were absolutely
never going to get married or have
children?”
In fact, I do remember it quite
clearly. Some days, when I wake
up and hear the parrots scratching
noisily on the tin roof and a toddler
banging his cot against the wall in his
room, waiting to be freed, I wonder
fleetingly how I got here. Then I hear
a succession of clicks as my fouryear-old methodically turns on every
light in the house and the thought is
lost as I scramble out of bed to give
him the it’s-wasteful-to-use-lightswhen-there’s-enough-sunlight talk
again (and prepare for the barrage of
“but why’s?” that follow).
I grew up on a farm in
Northampton, north of Geraldton,
and loved every minute of the big
space, tight community, freedom
and responsibility that living on a
farm offered; but when I moved to
Perth for high school and remained
there afterwards for university,
I found the hustle and culture and
experience that a city offered was
16
just more appealing. I thought,
“this is for me.”
Finishing my degree in Mass
Communication, I set myself up
(mentally) for an edgy career
in journalism, void of marriage,
children and farming.
So, along with my family, I often
look back at my younger self
and laugh as I now try to juggle
marriage, farm-life, raising children,
community work and, more
recently, some resemblance of a
career again. I’m slowly finding
time to pursue my interest in
communication and design, but it’s
difficult to maintain a professional
conversation on the phone when
you know the listener can hear the
banging and whining of your toddler
on the other side of the office door,
making his case for your attention.
But, bit by bit, and with a lot of
patience, and a few tears, I’m
finding my way.
One of my loves that I never used to
prioritise was art, so when I recently
decided to start a blog – as a sort
of online visual diary – it turned out
to be a great technological learning
curve, as well as a way to keep my
creative thoughts flowing. Though I
didn’t start it for any kind of audience,
the fact that it’s still public ensures
that I make time to contribute to
it; even if it is just a photograph or
musing here and there.
It’s one of the reasons that I love
the technology we have access to.
Network News AUTUMN 13
When farm and family life permit, Sarah
keeps her creative thoughts on track by
snatching a few photos for her blog.
I often look back at my
younger self and laugh
as I now try to juggle
marriage, farm-life, raising
children, community work
and, more recently, some
resemblance of a career
again.
It allows me to work more from
home on the farm, at my own pace,
so that I can still take the time to
garden with the kids, make dinner
or attend to a teething toddler when
need be.
One night a week I also try to get
an edition of my community email
out. It’s a simple, text-only email
that lists short posts of local news
and events. A few years ago I
noticed people faced an information
overload when they sat down to
their computers – yet many were
still missing out on important
snippets of local information. So I
started a free community email to
filter the relevant information from
the excess and to connect the
small communities within our large
Shire. Most importantly, it was (and
still is) a way to contribute to the
community that suits my lifestyle.
More recently, I’ve been doing the
groundwork for (re)starting my
freelance communication business.
I’ve been lucky enough to pick
up some small writing and design
projects, both locally and further
afield.
In sp i r in g W o m e n
Cooking dinner and making a business call was a little easier when youngest son Tate (who’s now a typical active toddler) was happy to sit
in the backpack.
I just have to keep reminding
myself of that wise saying,
“women can have it all, just not
all at once”.
Re-establishing old connections in the industry
– as well as forging some new ones – has been
easier than I thought, thanks to email and
professional networking sites. Now that I’m
starting to dip my toes into the field again,
I just have to keep reminding myself of that
wise saying, “women can have it all, just not
all at once”.
I don’t want to work full-time while my boys are
young, but even these small projects have been
enough to provide the intellectual stimulation
I was missing. As much as I love mud pies,
stick-whacking and macaroni necklaces, it’s
invigorating to reclaim some of those other sides
of life that get overshadowed when you acquire
the title of “mother”.
My location and lifestyle is definitely different to
what I imagined earlier on in life, but I actually
think it gives me (and all women in rural and
regional Australia) an advantage. I think the
resourcefulness, patience and selflessness,
that rural life and parenthood afford, allow us to
contribute to the workforce and our communities
in a very unique and effective way.
At home in her artspace, freelance writer and designer Sarah Allen works on
a street banner for recent centenary celebrations in the town of Kukerin.
thesleepingtree@bigpond.com
Network News AUTUMN 13
17
S t epp in g O u t
r aveN s t h o r pe &
H o pe t o u n
Selvetico’s bike and other stories
Southern scribes have
done it again
Beryl Semple
Now up to their sixth publication, and with its wealth of illustrations the most time consuming publication to
date, the Southern Scribes continue to develop stories from their regional upbringings.
There we all are: if you look closely and use your imagination.
In the boughs of a Moreton Bay fig, beside the river or in the
canoe, on the cover of our latest publication, Selvatico’s Bike and
other stories. A line of animals featured in the book walk across
the other bank with Rex on Selvatico’s bike bringing up the rear.
“Snippets” from the book
‘Fresh Bread’ by Kay Hanrah
an
On Fridays the baker delive
red fresh bread. He
left the unwrapped loaves in
the cream-box at the
gate. Sometimes if Mum did
n’t bring it in straight
away, Mr Selvat ico, the banana
grower, brought it
to her when he collected his
own. He wore a work
singlet and carried the loaves
under his sweaty
armpits. When that happened
Mum wouldn’t eat
the crust. But we still ate it –
for us children it was
the best part of the fresh bre
ad.
Writing about their childhood, for children of eight to twelve,
nine women have varying backgrounds: two from the eastern
seaboard; two from the UK; one from Zimbabwe and four from
WA. It not only contains stories but poems, photos, drawings and
a host of paintings by talented artist, Beryl Semple.
Southern Scribes began life as a group in 1998 when it was
decided to publish something historical for the millennium.
After much hard work And the Dingoes Howled came into being.
Four books of poetry followed: the Trilogy of Earth, Sea and
Sky, and one on wildflowers to help celebrate the silver
anniversary of the Ravensthorpe wildflower show.
Membership of the group is constantly changing with people
connected with mining coming and going, and life-changes
making it difficult for some women to continue. However the
core group, now hoping for a bit of a breather, is still there after
14 years.
We meet in the afternoon of the fourth Saturday in every month
at each other’s homes. If you’d like to join us, ring Helen on
9838 3183, Beryl on 9838 3523, or Chenda on 9838 5049
or visit our website at www.southernscribes.com
berylsemple@westnet.com.au
‘Lollies and Dumbclucks’
by Eve Green
’s hidden lollies in
My mother is a dumb cluck. She
g to demolish half
her wardrobe. It doesn’t take lon
a bag ful. Next day I feel sick.
wants to know.
‘W hat’s wrong with you?’ Mum
‘I’ve got a belly-ache,’ I moan.
in my wardrobe,
‘You’ve been at the paper bag
nk.
haven’t you?’ My brain goes bla
brother’s medicine
e
Her voice rises. ‘You ate your littl
me shrivels.
for constipation.’ Something inside
‘Serves you right,’ she thunders.
t steps and cry.
Sick and shamed, I sit on the fron
Cry because I am a dumb cluck.
‘Beetroot’ by Mary Smith
Mum was cooking beetroot in the
pressure cooker.
She went outside to feed the
chooks and forgot
about the beetroot. It overheated
and the pressure
cooker exploded. There was bee
troot all over the
kitchen, in stripes on the walls and
great splotches
on the ceiling. It took ages to
clean up. Mum
wasn’t ver y happy.
Southern Scribes are still strong after 14 years.
18
Network News AUTUMN 13
Art
Pingaring
Portraits at the bin
If you were a Kenworth, Mack, Atkinson, Weston Star or maybe even
an old Dodge you could have gone along to the Pingaring weighbridge
‘bin’ this harvest and had your portrait drawn by the amazingly talented
Hayley Patterson.
Jane Bushby
Most farmers are so
proud of their trucks and
appreciate that someone
has taken the time to
draw them …
On the walk back from the
weighbridge to ‘The Tree’ famously
written about by author Fiona
Palmer, Hayley confessed her
enthusiasm upon moving to
Pingaring.
Hayley Patterson
A Weighbridge Officer for CBH at
Pingaring, Hayley explained that
this year there was a bit of ‘waiting
around’ that inspired her to get
creative.
“Things were a bit slow one day so
I took a photo of a truck, sketched
it and put it up on the wall at the
weighbridge. Pretty soon there
was a list of trucks that ‘needed
drawing’“ said Hayley.
The young Graphic Design student,
who takes a sketch pad everywhere
she goes, has been drawing her
whole life. Hannah’s ‘truck fetish’
has been with her a long time;
growing up on the family farm at
Nyabing, Hayley has always had a
love for cars, utes and trucks.
When I interviewed Hayley just
before Christmas, she had drawn
trucks belonging to all the main
carters plus the courier driver’s van
and the truck that came to fix the
weighbridge after it was struck by
lightning.
Hayley took me over to the
weighbridge where pinned up on
the wall were beautifully sketched
pictures of 22 trucks. It takes a
good couple of hours to draw a
truck and everyone that Hayley
draws receives their own copy of the
sketch.
“At the Dowerin Field Days, long
before I knew I was coming to work
at Pingaring, I bought all Fiona
Palmer’s books. Then when I found
out I was coming to Pingaring mum
said ‘guess who lives in Pingaring
– Fiona Palmer’. As soon as we got
here Darryl showed us around and
we saw the ‘General Store’ and ‘The
Tree’ and I’m thinking – I know this
place and I have never been here!”
Hayley plans to return to Albany
and spend a year developing her art
portfolio. She has done posters and
a CD cover for Merredin cover band
‘The Steigers’.
lakegrace@crc.net.au
“Most farmers are so proud of their
trucks and appreciate that someone
has taken the time to draw them,”
she said.
Network News AUTUMN 13
19
L in k s in t h e C h a in
GIDG E G A NNU P
The Gidgegannup to
Cambodia Chain
Wendy Pederick
In November 2012 ten ladies
from WA were exposed to the
courage, toil, pain, resilience
and warmth of Cambodia,
never to be the same.
The Passion Link
Enter Kay Eva, of Gidgegannup,
who has herself known pain, abuse,
rejection, cancer, the death of a
child – and most importantly love
that sustains.
Kay’s first trip to Cambodia was in
2004 with a Christian church group
ministering to various projects,
including prisoners, near Phnom
Penh. The immense needs of the
people stirred within her passion to
help. In the years that have followed,
Kay has established Stitches of
Hope (SOH) charity made 18 trips
to Cambodia and worked – now with
the help of a Board and supporters
– to empower and enrich the lives of
many in this poverty-stricken country.
Wendy Pederick and Lim Hatch
“Phnom Penh is a frenetic city that
has the ability to both shock and
enchant. The city is buzzing with
life from dawn to dusk with every
aspect of life played out right on
the side of its busy streets”.
– Michelle Tomlinson
The Genocide Link
From 1975-1979 Pol Pot’s regime
exterminated a quarter of the
Cambodian nation’s population
through starvation, disease and
execution. Decades more of
pain, hurt, mismanagement and
confusion followed. Thirty years
later the nation of 14 million is both
gentle and shocking, a third world
country that needn’t be.
20
The Sewing Link
A keen sewer, Kay has built a sewing
centre in Phnom Penh to give
dignified employment to 23 young
women and two men, allowing them
to support their families. Too many
of Cambodia’s poor, with no skills
or training, have little alternative
to prostitution as a means to an
income, and are easily lured into the
trade by the unscrupulous – or else
trafficked in without their consent.
However, respectable employment
builds their self-esteem and gives
them dignity… and while women
walk the earth there will always be
demand for clothing!
The Sewing Centre recently
completed a contract to make
11,000 uniforms. The WA team
observed in November that they
made 200 dresses in a day,
witnessing their obvious (and
justified) pride in their achievement.
Network News AUTUMN 13
The Redeemed Tailor shop, another
SOH project, has an impressive
local and overseas clientele. New
business possibilities are under
discussion.
The Team Link
Several of the WA ladies share
the Sewing Centre’s enjoyment of
sewing. They gave pamper packs,
mattresses and hand-made quilts to
each person at the centre. Lovingly
given and graciously received, the
gifts and visit were a morale booster
to people who have experienced so
much sadness.
The Hope Link
Hen was a beggar with three
children when found by SOH three
years ago. Taken in by the Children’s
Home that was established by SOH
near Phnom Penh, Hen now does
the laundry of the 23 beautiful
children, aged four to 17, who are
receiving an education, instruction
in health and hygiene and hope
for a productive life as responsible
citizens of their homeland. Hen’s
14 year old son wants to be a
teacher – something he could
never have aspired to in his
former circumstances. He has the
application and personality to realise
his dream.
Nearby is the Beauty Centre, built
by SOH, to employ graduates of
their beauty training school for girls.
The Rural Link
From Gidgegannup, York, Pingelly,
Wagin, Albany and Perth, the WA
team, with strong rural connections,
was delighted to also visit other SOH
projects in the rural areas.
L in k s in t h e C h a in
Sewing Centre Facilities
It was harvest time in many of the
rice fields. Scenes of gathering in
the grain, trucking it to depots, and
cattle grazing on the stubble were
scenes of reward for labour, just as
they are in our own state.
Kay and husband John had
farmed at Kweda, 50 kilometres
from Brookton, then for six years
at Wundowie, before shifting to
Gidgegannup. Their years on the
land gave them an understanding
of rural life, knowing that the
opportunities for advancement can
be less than those for city dwellers.
With that in mind, support has been
given to rural areas of Cambodia – a
Community Centre at Chrey Vien,
where children go to school and
learn sewing and trades; food aid
to a poor village in Porsat where the
elderly, sick and those with no family
are lovingly cared for; and Mesang
where 28 ladies, ten of them HIV+,
receive medicine, attention and
respect, all wrapped in loving care.
SOH is one of the rare charities
that respects and dignifies older
women by supporting them with the
essentials of life, food, a new sarong
and a smile.
The trip to Porsat also contained
an unintended rural adventure
element. As the road was so poor,
the bus couldn’t get through. All ten
ladies, determined to reach their
destination, climbed into a trailer
and were transported behind a
tractor to meet the waiting crowd.
It became a highlight of the trip –
Cambodia’s version of a hay ride.
The Fear Link
This is the link that needs to be
removed for it weakens the whole
chain. The nation lives with fear
as a by-product of its turbulent
recent history. There are many good
people, Australians included, doing
many good things in Cambodia, to
help these people.
The Love Link
Many people now support Kay
in her work, the most recent
enthusiasts being the nine who
joined her on that most memorable
November trip. Here are some of
their thoughts:
Sue – found Cambodia full of
surprises; will cherish their smiles
and determination.
Marie – played grandma to scores
of children and helped to give them
a party they won’t forget.
Alex – having been before, renewed
friendships; shared with the
team in tears and laughter; finds
Cambodians incredibly generous
with their love and is incredibly
generous in return.
Wendy – appreciated the cultural
sensitivity of the SOH projects, and
their love and generosity shown;
Kay’s compassionate leadership.
Kay – Thankful that another nine
people have fallen in love with the
Khmer people!
To find out more about
Stitches of Hope, visit
www.stitchesofhopecambodia.com
secretary@woolorama.com.au
ChoengEk Killing Fields Memorial
Network News AUTUMN 13
21
Ne t w o r k s
beve r l ey
Taking tea in the garden
Karina Leonhardt
BGTS Banner
Taking tea in the garden marks a 30 year milestone for the Beverley
Garden and Tree Society.
The friendships that were
forged all those years ago
still remain strong.
Founding Members
The inaugural meeting of the
Beverley Garden and Tree Society
took place on 22 November 1982,
initiated by local community
member Jenny Jones, who was
amongst invited guests at a
garden party held on Saturday
24 November 2012.
Over seventy five guests gathered
to commemorate the 30 year
anniversary of the society amongst
beautiful hollyhocks, lavenders and
veggies in the gardens of the Dead
Finish Museum, and sipped tea and
coffee from fine china cups to the
soothing tone of a harpist. A plaque
commemorating the occasion was
unveiled.
The society began meeting at the
local CWA rooms, but changed
venues in 1987 to the Dead Finish
Museum that had been opened
in late 1986; they still meet there
today. The society’s relationship with
the Dead Finish Garden began when
they were asked by the Beverley
Historical Society to participate
22
in a partnership to landscape the
immediate area next to the museum
building. As with all things, this
took time and in 1986 after several
busy-bees trees, shrubs and
ornamentals were planted and
helped along with good winter rains.
Hence the Dead Finish Garden
began and so too the relationship
between the two societies. The
friendships that were forged all
those years ago still remain strong.
The subscription to join at the
time of inauguration was $5 per
annum, and Mrs Morag Whitney,
past president, in her speech to
the gathering said, “Remarkably
the annual subscription has not
changed in the 30 years!”
The Dead Finish Garden is certainly
different today than in the early
years thanks to the society. There
have been additions of reticulation,
historic fences, a birdbath,
scarecrows, seats, sundial, an arch,
and the recently installed Beverley
printing press relic.
Network News AUTUMN 13
The garden is much admired by
visitors to the museum and the
town, and is a testament to the
hard work and determination of the
Beverley Garden and Tree Society
volunteers who lovingly care for it.
More than thirty years on, the
society is still active with a varied
yearly calendar for its members. Its
aims today remain fundamentally
the same and members still enjoy
tours, garden visits, bring and swap
days, and contribute to the town in
many ways. There is an enthusiastic
committee of garden lovers
committed to the long standing
group whose interests continue to
lie in social companionship, garden
education and contribution to the
community.
The Dead Finish Garden may still
undergo transformation in the future
with the society’s plans to further
involve the community in their
garden, thereby ensuring continued
interest in the group and attracting
future generations of members who
will enjoy their activities and the
Dead Finish Garden too.
skleonhardt1@bigpond.com
W r i t in g
Broome
Winning Two Mates
In the Spring 2012 edition of the RRR Network News, we offered the
chance for readers to win a copy of Mel Prewett’s book Two Mates,
courtesy of Magabala Books, just by telling us about your childhood friend.
Our two winners are Kerrie Goodchild from Kimbolton, and Nyssa Millington
from Australind.
My cherished childhood friend
Lived two doors down
Together we shared mischievous adventure
While exploring our little town
There were both happy and sad times
When we shed plenty of tears
Always our friendship bond brought comfort
Combating all our fears
Great memories stay forever
Of my special childhood friend
Kerrie Goodchild
My childhood friend was a beautiful girl called
Ana, whom I spent many years playing with.
We loved trampolining, and playing mums and also
doctors and nurses. So many of my childhood
memories include her, and even growing up we
have stayed close. Although we live on different
continents now, we are still friends!
Two Mates, the true story of the
enduring mateship between two
young boys, Jack and his best
friend Raf, from Broome in the
north-west, has been chosen by
the IBBY Documentation Centre
of Books for Disabled Young
People in Norway for inclusion in
the 2013 Outstanding Books for
Young People with Disabilities list.
Written by Jack’s mother,
Melanie Prewett and illustrated
by Melanie’s mother, Maggie, a
professional artist, Melanie was
inspired to write the book after
watching the boys’ friendship
blossom since they were babies.
IBBY Australia advised in January
2013 that Two Mates was one of
only three Australian titles chosen
for the list.
Two Mates will be on display at
the IBBY stand at the Bologna
Book Fair in Italy from late March
and included in the Presentation
of the 2013 Outstanding Books
for Young People with Disabilities
Press Conference on 25 March.
Congratulations to Melanie,
Maggie, Jack, Raf and his family
on receiving such a prestigous
award for their wonderful story.
Nyssa Millington
Network News AUTUMN 13
23
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My view
Denmark sunrise
Photo sent by Jill Harrison
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in the Network News and annual Family Organiser.
Please send high resolution photographs (1Mb or
larger) to rrr.network@rdl.wa.gov.au or prints to
RRR Network News
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Western Australia
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