Recognising Women Farmers Forums

These fora were free events, held as part of the Australian Government's Farming Future Initiative. They were held in cooperation with local women and groups including the CWA, school P&Cs, adult education, local producers, TAFE and local craft groups. See what happened at each forum:

Manilla| Mullaley | Moonbi | Warrah Creek

Manilla, Tuesday November 24 2009

The Manilla Recognising Women Farmers Forums was held on Tuesday, 24^th November. Presenters included local land-holders Kate McLaren and Robyn Watson, Robbie Sefton, Carolyn Ditchfield, Judy Lee, Vivien Evans and more.

Mullalaley, Friday November 27, 2009

The day featured presentations by four inspirational women who have lead successful lives and careers in Natural Resource Management and who come from the land: Lyn Sykes (Succession Planning), Judy Lee (Education opportunities in natural resource management), Robyn Watson (Her lifestory and the partnership between farming and conservation), and Vivien Evans (Website development and online resources to develop your business).

The day also included a silk scarf tie-dyeing exercise, as well as a free morning tea and lunch, and the opportunity to browse stalls displaying local produce and art/crafts.

• View a Wetpaint slideshow of the Mullaley Forum by Vivian Evans

Moonbi Forum, September 25, 2009

The first Recognising Women Farmers Forum was held in Moonbi on September 25, 2009 and met with a very positive response. It features presentations by four inspirational women from the land who have led successful lives and careers in Natural Resource Management:

• Connie Newcombe: growing up in Moonbi as an Indigenous person
• Alison Sheridan: UNE Professor ‘Growing Contribution of Women to Agriculture’
• Judy Lee: Education for women in NRM
• Marcia Ajani: Gardening, adapting to a changing Climate

Marcia Ajani, Gae Swain and Connie Newcombe at the Moonbi Forum

Local produce on display

Creating scarves to take home

80 women attended the Moonbi forum

Warrah Creek Forum, October 16, 2009

The second forum in the Recognising Women Farmers series was held Warrah Creek on Friday 16^th October. Although a smaller community than Moonbi, this forum was still well attended by 40 local women. The format of the day varied slightly to cater for the differing interests of women in the area. Most notably, the interactive craft activity was replaced with a Belly Dancing and Singing Workshop. Children were also an important part of this day, and after exhausting themselves on the jumping castle, they made a beautiful presentation to the women at the conclusion of the day. Our presenters were:

• Pauline Roberts: ‘Making your life sustainable’
• Robbie Sefton: Women Leadership
• Judy Lee: Education
• Kate McLaren: Her Conservation story
• Sue Hudson: Indigenous Land Management

Project Officer, Rachel Hill, admires a beautiful presentation
made to the women by the children

40 local women enjoyed the Warrah Creek Forum

Participants enjoy the belly dancing workshop

The presenters and their topics at this forum were: Robbie Sefton (Women in Leadership), Pauline Roberts (Making your life sustainable), Kate McLaren (her personal journey towards conservation), Judy Lee (Education in natural resource management) and Sue Hudson (Indigenous land management and Aboriginal Archaeology).