THE recognition of women in rural, remote and regional Queensland today is a far cry from where it was over two decades ago.
This was the message from Queensland Rural Remote and Regional Women’s Network (QRRRWN) president Alison Mobbs at the opening of its annual state conference in Biloela this morning.
“Twenty-two years ago it was a different world for women,” Ms Mobbs said.
“There was little recognition of things we take for granted somewhat today, like women’s contribution to the family business or their leadership within communities.
“They weren’t the farmer; they were the farmer’s wife.”
Location, limited access to childcare, lack of transport options and lack of technology, for example, were some of the many reasons why women did not have the opportunity to be all they could be.
It was through the formation of the Rural Women’s Network in 1993 that women’s roles began to be recognised – their profile increased and they were given legitimacy as leaders.
Ms Mobbs recognised the work of two life members who began this journey – Georgie Somerset and Rosemary Burnett.
“These are two of the women who have worked over the past two decades, so I urge you to take advantage of these opportunities they have created,” she told the 200-strong crowd.
QRRRWN operated on 95 per cent volunteer power and Ms Mobbs recognised the time these women contributed.
“We have come a long way, however we still have a long way to go.”
Good morning from @Qld_Rural_Women #conference #Biloela @Westpac Agribusiness #breakfast #connectnetworkinspire pic.twitter.com/JZQBJhD8f0
The conference was officially opened by Banana Shire Council Mayor Ron Carige, after Lisa Williams gave a Welcome to Country – not as Gungaloo but on behalf of the Indigenous community.
With local ABC breakfast presenter Jacquie Mackay as MC, the morning was jam-packed with speakers.
It kicked off this morning with 2015 Queensland RIRDC winner, Sherrill Stivano, talking about country-of-origin labelling and ways to meld together existing accreditation programs.
“Rather than reinventing the wheel, we can work with what we’ve got,” she said.
Ms Stivano is championing the Red Tractor assurance scheme in the UK and looking at ways it can be adopted in Australia.
“It is a single labelling of food that gives tangible benefits to farmers, it bridges the gap from the farm to the consumer, and it unites agriculture,” she said.
Don't be afraid to come out from behind the farm gate - Sherrill Stivano tells 200 women on activism #QRRRWN pic.twitter.com/6xaCFj0O2l
Keynote speaker for the morning was Josie Thomson, who spoke about the impact of being diagnosed with stage three throat cancer at the age of 24 and surviving the odds.
If that wasn’t enough, she later had a brain tumour.
This spurred her on to study neuroscience to discover what it was that spurred people one.
“We must have a very strong ‘why’ as to why we get up everyday.”
Ms Thomson spoke about resilience – that pain was inevitable. It helped you stretch and grow.
Suffering, however, was intentional.
“You can’t change your history, but you can get to start it when you get up each day," she said.
The final talk for the morning was a plenary session on rural women as change makers to domestic and family violence.
Heather Ellis gave the alarming statistic that two women every week in Australia died at the hands of a partner or former partner.
“But this does not include the figures of women or children who have ended up in hospital. Death is at the end, but there is a lot that leads up before that.”
Ms Ellis, who is based in Ipswich but provides support to families in rural Queensland, explained the number of services available.
“The first port of call is often seeking information. Sometimes people will sit on that information for six months or two years, while others will act on it immediately.”
What was important was being there to offer support without judgement, she said.
The conference continues until Saturday and Queensland Country Life will have more in-depth coverage.