Rural Women Newsletter

Rural Women Newsletter

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Labour weekend! Hope the weather is kind so we can get planting in the vege garden. Don't forget to check out the handy planting tips in A Good Harvest - and we've got one copy to give away to a lucky reader!
19 October 2012

A message from our president

Dear members,

Quad bike fatalities have again been in the news recently, but a prize-winning article by Andrew Stewart reminds us of the related heartbreaking result of farm accidents - permanent injury.

Andrew was runner-up for the Rural Women New Zealand prize at the Guild of Agricultural Journalists annual awards last week. Andrew's story, published in the Young Country magazine, featured Anita Kendrick, a young shepherd now confined to a wheelchair due to a quad bike crash. Anita is not alone. Most on-farm accidents do not cause death, but many result in serious, on-going debilitating injury - outcomes which don't make the headlines.

Winner of the Rural Women NZ award was Jackie Harrigan, Country-Wide magazine.

Best wishes,

Liz

PS: Congratulations to the members of Rukuhia Branch, Region 6, for your presentation of another RWNZ-branded car to Rainbow Place, the children's arm of Hospice Waikato. Way to go ladies - outstanding!
Global Fundraising Awards 2012

We had fingers and toes crossed, and all the judges were wearing our lucky red and black Aftersocks, but on Wednesday night we were pipped to the post by the Aussies as the Sir David Martin Foundation Abseil for Youth campaign took out the Big Idea, Small Budget category at the Global Awards for Fundraising 2012 in Amsterdam.

Noeline Holt our EO, who attended the awards with our Dutch intern, Marina van Aken, said, "The concept of Aftersocks was loved by the judges and audience alike. There are some great projects out there. To get to the top three out of 31 countries is the best. All the winners have gone home with a pair of our socks!"
Paying Family Carers who provide disability support

Do you look after a family member with a disability? Then this affects you!

The Ministry of Health is changing its current policy of not paying family carers who provide home and community support to their disabled adult family members. Now the Ministry is consulting on various different options, and wants your views.

Click here to find out more, including the ways you can make a submission. Closing date for submissions is Tuesday 6 November 2012.

International Day of Rural Women

On Monday we held some great events around the country to celebrate the International Day of Rural Women.

In Invercargill 150 educators, parents, caregivers and members attended our Brainwave Trust event, to hear inspiring speaker Nathan Mikaere Wallis talk about the vital importance of positive experiences in the first three years of a child's life. Afterwards 50 community funders met with Mr Wallis to discuss setting up a trust for the most vulnerable members of the community.

In Rotorua, 22 members enjoyed a bus tour of blueberry and lavendar farms and a plant nursery, hopefully identifying some good candidates for the Enterprising Rural Women Award 2013. More

And Rukuhia branch presented a second car to Rainbow Place, thanks to a generous bequest from member Chica Gilmer. More

White Paper on Vulnerable Children

Rural Women NZ has congratulated the government on the White Paper on Vulnerable Children released last week, although we believe there are still specific rural issues that need addressing. More

Great stories about rural life in cafes throughout NZ

Would you like to see good news stories about rural life shared with urban people up and down the country? Take up the Cafe Challenge NZ! More

Rural Vets Bonding Scheme a Success

Three years into the Government veterinary rural bonding scheme, the NZ Veterinary Association says it is delighted with its effectiveness.

NZVA says 83 young graduates have signed up for work in rural practices servicing the livestock industry. There are more young veterinarians applying to the scheme than the 30 positions available annually.
Farmlands Ladies Nights & North Island Rural School grants

These are now in full swing with four more events to go next week in Hastings (23rd), Gisborne (24th), Tauranga (30th) and Rotorua (31st). Events are selling out, so it would pay to get your tickets today if you want to attend one of these popular nights with Annabelle White, aka the Cuddly Cook. Book here

Remember that proceeds from these nights is going to gardening grants for six lucky North Island rural schools. Apply here

South Island rural schools gardening grants

We also have gardening grants available for two lucky South Island rural schools, thanks to sponsorship from Meridian. Apply here

Fonterra Grass Roots fund

Do you have a rural community project that could use some funding? The Fonterra Grass Roots fund has two funding rounds per year and makes grants of $500 to $5000 for projects in three categories - Bringing Communities Together; Caring for Our Environment; Making Communities Safer. Next funding round closes 31 October. More

International - ACWW

Planning your group's programme for next year? Our country of study for 2013 is India. This should give plenty of scope for colourful and tasty events!

India has been chosen as it's where the 27th triennial world conference of the Associated Country Women of the World is being held - in Chennai from 26 September to 2 October 2013.

Also a reminder that ACWW subscriptions for those who need to pay are due at national office by 15 December. If you need another form you can download one on the front page of the Members Only section of our website, or contact Belinda in national office.

NetHui South - Keen to take part?

Are you particularly interested in the internet? Would you be keen to share your experiences of the opportunities and challenges it offers? InternetNZ is keen to hear a range of perspectives at its first ever regional event - NetHui South - which is being held in Dunedin from 23-24 November. RWNZ was represented at the national NetHui earlier this year, and we'd like to continue to give the rural viewpoint. Here's more information on how you can be involved.

National Councillors' Diaries

Margaret Pittaway, our national councillor for Otago Southland, attended the National Council of Women conference in Dunedin as a delegate on 5/6th October. At the end of September she also attended a lunch with the Governor General and Lady Janene Mateparae (our patron), as they travel the country meeting with volunteers and groups of which they are the patron. She also attended our International Day of Rural Women Brainwave Trust event in Invercargill.

Anne Finnie, our national councillor for the lower North Island, attended an Animal Health Board 1080 day.

Liz Evans, our national president, attended the NZ Veterinary Association workshop on animal welfare guidelines for vets; the Agriculture Health and Safety meeting, where Dairy Women's Network reported on its 'wellness' project; Ministry of Women's Affairs CEDAW (Commission for the Elimination of Descrimination Against Women) meeting, giving a rural perspective; the Awatere branch breast cancer fundraising dinner and the Marlborough Provincial international evening with it's Irish theme.

Wendy McGowan, our national councillor for Bay of Plenty/Coromandel, attended the Mamaku-Kaimai Land and Water forum.

Book Draw!

WIN a copy of Ken Ring's Weather Almanac for 2013 - billed as a must-have for farmers, fishermen, gardeners, skiers and all who work outdoors.

We have one giveaway copy. Email us to go in the draw.

The lucky winner of our Wildflowers of NZ book draw was Lesley McIntosh of North Otago.

Aftersocks!

Get your pair today from our website shop

A Good Harvest!

We have one copy to give away to the first person to sign up a new member! Email us to be in to win. Or go to our online shop.

Facebook!

Stay ahead of the news by following us on Facebook.

Not sure how to use Facebook? Our IT Made Easy guide will help.

What's up?

23 October Rangitikei Women in Farming Himitangi region day including asparagus farm tour; seeds and cereals with Bruce Tocker and Murray Greys with Mary Kilsby. To come along email Kate or call 06 388 1212

25 October - Onewhero Ladies Night - speaker Lynda Hallinan, editor NZ Gardener. Contact Fiona Gower 09 2329711 or email Fiona

2 November Tararua luncheon, The Vault Cafe, Dannevirke, 12noon. Email Anne Finnie

14-16 November - Canterbury's 150th A&P show. We'll be there giving three days of inspirational cooking demos themed 'Back to Basics with a Modern Twist' and showcasing our great cookbooks A Good Harvest and A Good Spread

26-28 April 2013 - Triple F Challenge - Central Otago Rail Trail ride/walk. Registrations close 30 Nov 2012. Contact Pat Macaulay 03 484 7006.

Regional conference planning for 2013 is underway - see the Coming Events column on our website

New weblinks!

Parenting tips: We like this great new website for parents just launched this week - Essential Mums

Earthquake survey: Greater Christchurch residents can now go online and share their post-earthquake experiences and perceptions in a survey that will help guide CERA and its partner agencies in their work. Click here for the survey which is open until 2 November.

Do you have any favourite websites you'd like to recommend to readers?

© 2011 Rural Women New Zealand
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