Rural Women Alive! No. 27 - 11 May 2005

RURAL WOMEN ALIVE!
No. 27 - 11 May 2005

This is the Email newsletter of Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ), compiled by our national office. The format has been kept simple to avoid download problems. If you do not wish to receive this email please let us know by replying to this message.

Do you have items you'd like included in this newsletter? Share your news, forthcoming events etc, by emailing jackie.edkins@ruralwomen.org.nz

EDUCATION:

CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL: You may have noticed RWNZ comments in the press on the Correspondence School cutbacks. We are lobbying to ensure that rural children are not sidelined as resources are re-allocated to fit today's demographic profile of TCS students. Geographically-isolated children may only represent a small proportion of the TCS roll these days, but their needs and those of their parent-supervisors are as important as ever. We will be maintaining a dialogue with TCS and a watching brief on how it plans to assess the individual needs of children to decide what resources they should be given. If you have personal experiences you'd like to share with us on this topic, please email jackie.edkins@ruralwomen.org.nz.

HEALTH: FOOD LABELLING: We made a submission to FSANZ on Proposal P292 which deals with country of origin labelling of food. While the proposal is an improvement on the current labelling situation in NZ we say it does not go far enough as it fails to require identification of country of unpackaged foods, such as fish, fruit and vegetables. We called for the display of country of origin for unpackaged food and labelling requirements to commence one year from Gazettal, not two. "As consumers we have an absolute right to know where our food comes from, especially when there are diseases such as BSE and chicken flu in the country of origin." It should be our choice whether we eat food from those countries.

LAND:

LAND ACCESS: You may have noticed Page 3 of yesterday's Rural News regarding the Land Access issue, in which Jim Sutton is reported as claiming RWNZ "have expressed satisfaction" with the proposed Land Access legislation. Please be assured that this is not correct. Rather RWNZ is still awaiting a final document that we can comment on, and in the meantime stands by its earlier submission (on the website - www.ruralwomen.org) expressing deep concern about many aspects of the proposal.

SOCIAL:

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: We welcomed the extension of Paid Parental Leave to include the self employed from the middle of next year. Who was awake to hear Rural Report on National Radio at 6.20am on 29 April when our lobbying for this extension was acknowledged by Don Carson?

ITEMS OF INTEREST:

PROMOTION OF WOOL: The National Council of New Zealand Wool Interests Inc has kick started a wool promotion trial project which will target women's wear. It is seen as a blueprint for future promotion of wool for all uses, including carpets. For further information email Jackie.edkins@ruralwomen.org.nz and I will forward you the full press release which contains comprehensive information about the state of the industry following on from the International Wool Textile Organisation Annual Congress in Hobart.

FUNDING NATURE PROTECTION ON THE FARM: How to seek funding 'workshop' - gathering the info necessary to make a funding application and what support is available to assist you. Glen Murray Hall, SH22, west of Rangiriri.9.30 - 1.00. Tel: Jan Simmons at (07) 838 3363.

WAIKATO RIVERCARE PLANTING DAYS: 27 and 28 May, 1pm. Contact Nardene Berry (07) 858 3725

RAGWORT PROBLEMS? Landcare Research at Lincoln say there are stunning reports of flea beetle's success in achieving major reductions in ragwort over two to ten years at sites in the Nth and Sth Islands. The caterpillar eats ragwort roots, achieving up to 95% reduction. Contact Hugh Gourlay at Landcare (03) 325 6700 or email gourlayH@LandcareResearch.co.nz.

RWNZ GENERAL BUSINESS:

BEEF AND LAMB DEMONSTRATIONS: - Chef Tony Smith from Bouquet Garni in Wellington will be at an Appleby home on the Waimea Estuary on Tuesday 17 May. Tel: Deirdre Lusby on (03) 544 0191 or email dlusby@clear.net.nz

- Gerald Brown will be demonstrating at Pauline McLeod's homestay just out of Martinborough on 16 May. For further information contact PJ Banks, RDO, on (06) 327 6966 or email p.j.ian@xtra.co.nz.

- Kate Fay of Cibo, Parnell, will be demonstrating at 74 Puketawai Rd, Otorohanga, 12.30pm. Tickets from Rachael Dean (07) 827 6778 or email gww2004@ihug.co.nz

NELSON PROVINCIAL MEETING: Friday 27 May: St David's church hall, Richmond. Janet Taylor from ACC will speak on injury prevention for older adults. Tel: Deirdre Lusby (03) 544 0191 or 027 643 5123 or email dlusby@clear.net.nz

WESTERN SOUTHLAND - WOMEN IN RURAL BUSINESS WESTPAC SEMINAR: 15 June at the Otautau Bowling Club Rooms, 10am - 2.30pm. Starting and running a successful business (inc equity partnerships), creating wealth and off farm investments, transition and succession planning. Tel: Lynley Dean (03) 249 6672 or email clandean@xtra.co.nz

WOMEN IN AGRIBUSINESS:

FINANCIAL WORKSHOP: 23 May 10am-2.30pm - "Mark and Measure" workshop with Paul Bird at the Okaihau Hall. To better understand the financial performance of your business, compare and benchmark key performance indicators, understand investment principles and set targets.

PRACTICAL FENCING WORKSHOP: 30 May 10am- 2.30pm - 1817 Mangakahia Rd, Titoki. Mid north group: Jean MacLaughlan's property. Tel: Jean (09) 433 1170.

WOMEN IN FARMING GENERAL BUSINESS:

WAIRARAPA WIF: VISIT TO CHERYL ELRIDGE'S PETONE SHOWROOM: 17 May 9am to 1pm. Cheryl and her husband made the cloaks for Lord of the Rings and now sell internationally. They farm Gotland pelt sheep in the Wairarapa to make the cloaks. Tel: Anne (06) 372 7707

HEADING PUPS FOR SALE: Tel: Lynley (06) 388 9146

FREE PUPPIES: 4 Mths old. Hunterway/heading dog cross, male. Email: kinross@xtra.co.nz.

CALENDAR:

16 May - Beef & Lamb Demonstration, Martinborough
17 May - Beef & Lamb Demonstration, Appleby home on the Waimea Estuary
23 May - "Mark and Measure" Workshop - WIAG, see above 30 May - Practical Fencing workshop - WIAG, see above
25 May - WIF Dog Training, Wanganui
15 June - Women in Business seminar, Otautau, Southland
27 - 30 June - Conference in Dunedin / Visit to Invermay
25 August - Beef & Lamb demo, 74 Puketawai Rd, Otorohanga

For our full calendar of events, see www.ruralwomen.org

JOINING RURAL WOMEN NEW ZEALAND

What can Rural Women New Zealand offer you?
- Involvement in supporting and developing your local community
- Contact with local and national decision makers
- New skills, practical training and personal development
- Information for business owners
- Good opportunities to meet people

To join Rural Women New Zealand: We have branches and groups spread throughout New Zealand. All meet regularly - some for social contact and others to discuss or monitor a specific issue, such as landcare. You may want to join an existing branch or get some friends together and start your own group. Our subscription fee is only $22.50 per year to join an RWNZ branch.

Alternatively, you can join as an individual member for $37.50 per year.

Individual membership entitles you to direct mailings without having to become involved with a branch. Each member receives six copies per year or our magazine Rural Women and our Year Book.

To join, go to http://ruralwomen.org/joinus.htm.

Newsletter compiled by Jackie Edkins - Communication Officer (RWNZ)

ENDS

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