"Not Just a Farmer's Wife"

What do you say when people ask – “And what do you do”?  Or “Do you have a job?”  

For me that’s always a tough question.  Mostly I answer “I manage the farm office”….but how many of us say we don’t work?  

How many of us don’t value our role in the business, because we don’t get a pay cheque in the mail?

How many of us can effectively communicate our job description to those that ask?

Is there anyone else out there that gets tired of the nod….that suggests you sit at home watch soapies and do your fingernails?

I was talking with my brother-in-law in Sydney who runs a company which employs over one hundred staff.  He has Information Technology people, secretaries, accountants, and technicians, and numerous maintenance people.

To each job description I could say….yes that’s me.  I am the bookkeeper…expected to complete the BAS, pass on true and accurate information to the accountant for tax processing, be able to produce a budget and apply for grants.  I am the person responsible for wages, expected to know and understand Industrial Awards, be capable of producing an Individual Flexibility agreement and be aware of our responsibilities under Superannuation Guarantee.

I am the “go to” Information Technology person when the internet isn’t working, when the printer stops printing, when someone wants to be added to the network, to work out which Telstra package best suits our business, when the computer crashes and we need to restore a backup….they come to me.

I am the “gopher”…..”Can you pick me up at field 4 and take me to field 1? “

I am the tractor driver…”We need to get this paddock offset and planted prior to the rain….Can you help?”

I am the cotton chipper.

I am the OH & S officer (no you really CAN’T take your girlfriend on the spray rig while you are spraying!!!)

I am the ratoon cotton manager (I find nagging until it’s gone often works, but if all else fails a hoe does the job too).

I am the secretary.  I take phone calls, pass on messages, write letters organise diaries and events, and filter the emails.

Most of all I am also fortunate.  I am fortunate that I can work from home.   I am fortunate that my job is very flexible… I can work one day and dine with a friend or be with my children at school the next if I choose.  I can work 12 hours a day, or 2.  I am one person with a broad and wide ranging job description.

How about you does this resonate with you if it does I would like to hear from you.

From our Wincott Vice Chair Alison Benn

Taste of the Liverpool Plains

Have a look at what the Calrossy girls made and paraded at the Taste of the Liverpool Plains Day.  Winctt helped make this happen by paying for the purchase of the material.  On the day Wincott had a stand and Barb Grey our Chair compared the Parade.  Well done Ladies another successful bit of publicity drawing on what can be made from a cotton tea towel.  Click here to view the photos

Second Annual International Women's Day Public Lecture

You are invited to the second annual International Women's Day Public Lecture, on 9 March.
 
This free event will feature three high profile commentators on women’s issues, who will participate in a special panel organised by the NSW Government to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.
Please see the attached invitation for more details.
 
RSVPs are essential, by 3 March ofw@dpc.nsw.gov.au.
 
Time: 5:30pm arrival for canapés and drinks, for a 6pm start
Date: Wednesday 9 March 2011
Where: Sky Venue - Level 3 of Sydney Tower Dining, enter via Level 4, Westfield Sydney, Cnr of Market Street and Castlereagh street entrance
 
More information about other IWD events and initiatives can be found at www.women.nsw.gov.au.
 

Karen Hutchinson from Griffith named 2011 NSW/ACT RIRDC Rural Women’s Award winner

Karen Hutchinson, an irrigated agriculture advocate from Griffith has won the prestigious Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation Rural Women’s Award for NSW/ACT for 2011, Minister for Primary Industries, Steve Whan, announced Tuesday.

Mr Whan made the announcement at NSW Parliament House during a gala dinner held in honour of the 2011 award finalists.

“Karen is a strong advocate for rural women and primary industries.

Her vision is for those involved in irrigated agriculture to go beyond resilience and demonstrate an ability to adapt and thrive in response to political and environmental change,” Mr Whan said.

 Mr Whan also congratulated the runner-up, Sally Martin, who is a Sheep and Wool officer based at Young.

“Sally aspires to make a difference in the sheep industry by combining practical, relevant and up-to-date information so that producers can better manage risk and identify profitable solutions for their farming businesses,” Minister Whan said.

For full release: http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/374310/Karen-hutchinson-2011-rwa-winner.pdf

Parkes to host the 2012 NSW Rural Women's Gathering

Parkes has been chosen as the venue for the 2012 NSW Rural Women's Gathering, an
annual weekend event that brings rural women together for networking, learning, gaining
inspiration and ideas and sharing information.

A group of local women, with the assistance of Council's Events Development Officer,
Katrina Dwyer, put forward a submission to host the event and bring together women from
all over the state to be inspired and enriched by the lifestyle, culture and experiences
Parkes Shire has to offer.

The event will take place from Friday 12 October - Sunday 14 October 2012 and will
attract between 200 and 300 participants from all over NSW. Participants will enjoy three
days of networking and presentations from inspiring and informative speakers, workshops
and social functions showcasing our iconic attractions, activities, business and services.
2012 will also mark the 20th anniversary of the NSW Rural Women's Gathering and Parkes
will be a fitting host with the decision to initiate the inaugural event in 1993 coming out of a
meeting held in Parkes 20 years ago.

A local committee will be formed to coordinate all aspects of the event with the support
from the Rural Women's Network and the NSW Rural Women's Council. Members of the
committee will attend the 2011 NSW Rural Women's Gathering in Gloucester to participate
in a handover ceremony and promote the 2012 event in Parkes.

If anyone in the community is interested in being a part of this committee or has some
ideas they would like to put forward, please contact Katrina Dwyer on 02 6862 6000.

NSW Farm Writers hosting a Primary Industries Portfolio Election Debate in Sydney

NSW Farm Writers’ Association would like to invite you to our first Seminar of 2011 on Friday 25 February.   
                                                                         
With a swag of marginal seats in the bush, and the mining vs. farming, Murray Darling water reform and marine park issues bubbling along, the Primary Industries portfolio takes on greater importance at the March 2011 NSW election.
 
On February 25, NSW Farm Writers is hosting a Primary Industries Portfolio Election Debate between the incumbent Minister Hon Steve Whan MP and his opposite number the Hon Duncan Gay MLC.
 
The debate will be facilitated by ABC Radio Country Hour reporter Michael Condon and a highlights package broadcast across NSW on ABC radio.

BOOKING DETAILS:
Time:           12:00pm for a 12:30pm start
Date:             Friday 25th February 2010
Venue:         The Menzies Hotel, 14 Carrington Street, Sydney
Bookings:      Must be received before Monday 21st February 2011 online at http://nswfarmwriters.org/BOOKINGS.htm or Email: bookings@nswfarmwriters.org
Cost:            Members: $70 or Voucher
                  Non-Members: $90

Churchill Fellowship

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust gives financial support to enable Australians from all walks of life who have exhausted opportunities within Australia and want to further their search for excellence overseas.

Key Dates:
Applications for 2011 Churchill Fellowships will close on 28 February 2011
The Churchill Trust is an Australian Trust established in 1965‚ the year in which Sir Winston Churchill died. The principal object of the Trust is to perpetuate and honour the memory of Sir Winston Churchill by the award of Memorial Fellowships known as Churchill Fellowships.
At their website you can find information on and examples of fellowships.

Who can apply?
Australian citizens aged over 18 years. Fellowships are awarded on an individual basis only - for individual projects only.

What will be funded?
A Churchill Fellowship is the provision of financial support to enable ordinary Australians from all walks of life to undertake a period of overseas study‚ or an investigative project‚ that cannot be readily undertaken in Australia.
There are no prescribed qualifications‚ academic or otherwise‚ for the award of most Churchill Fellowships. Merit is the primary test‚ whether based on past achievements or demonstrated ability for future achievement in any walk of life. Benefit to Australia is a significant factor.

How much funding is available?
No specific amount‚ but the average is $20‚000.

More information
The Secretary
NSW Regional Committee
Churchill Trust
Phone: 1800 777 231
Email: churchilltrust@bigpond.com
Website: www.churchilltrust.com.au/