Riverina Agricultural Women Inspiration for women, by women A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by Deborah Kerr & Nell Snaidero August 2006 RIRDC Publication No 06/057 RIRDC Project No IRE-7A © 2006 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 320 0 ISSN 1440-6845 Riverina Agricultural Women Publication No. 06/057 Project No. IRE-7A The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable industries. The information should not be relied upon for the purpose of a particular matter. Specialist and/or appropriate legal advice should be obtained before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any material in this document. The Commonwealth of Australia, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, the authors or contributors do not assume liability of any kind whatsoever resulting from any person's use or reliance upon the content of this document. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Deborah Kerr Nell Snaidero Policy Manager IREC Ricegrowers Association of Australia Inc C/- CSIRO PO Box 706 Private Mail Bag 3 LEETON NSW 2705 GRIFFITH NSW 2680 Phone: 02 6953 0433 Phone: 02 6960 1550 Fax: 02 6953 3823 Fax: 02 6960 1562 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4819 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected]. Web: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published on the web in August 2006 ii Foreword Women are vitally important to the fabric of rural communities – from a family level to community, industry and even governments. Generally, it is acknowledged that it has been difficult to encourage women to participate at their local community level let alone their industry (see previous RIRDC publications). The Riverina Agricultural Women (RAW) project was established to provide support and encouragement networks, to build confidence and to develop leadership skills for rural women that can be utilised at family, community and industry levels. There is also the opportunity for women involved to progress past the regional focus to participate in national programs such as RIRDC Rural Women’s Award and Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Forestry Industry Partnerships Corporate Governance for Rural Women. This report provides an analysis of the project including the initiatives undertaken by RAW and identifies the barriers to further participation of women in training opportunities such as distance, provision of childcare and the culture of their community and industry. This project was funded from rice industry revenue, which is matched, by funds provided by the Australian Government. This report, an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1500 research publications, forms part of our Rice R&D program, which aims to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the Australian rice industry. Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: • downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/index.html • purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop. Peter O’Brien Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Acknowledgments Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia Inc. Murrumbidgee Horticulture Council Irrigation Research & Extension Committee Mr Norm McAllister Ms Robyn Sefton Abbreviations AWiA Australian Women in Agriculture CWA Country Women’s Association IREC Irrigated Research & Extension Committee HAL Horticulture Australia Ltd MIA Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area NSW DPI NSW Department of Primary Industries RAW Riverina Agricultural Women RDC Research & Development Corporations RGA Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia Inc. RIRDC Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation RSDG Regional Social Development Group Inc WINHort Women in Horticulture iv Contents Foreword............................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments................................................................................................................................. iv Abbreviations........................................................................................................................................ iv Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................. vi Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Project Description................................................................................................................................ 1 Management ........................................................................................................................................ 2 Background Information and Evidence of Need ................................................................................ 2 Region Demographics ......................................................................................................................... 3 Partners and their contributions........................................................................................................... 3 Expected Outcomes ............................................................................................................................... 4 Building Blocks................................................................................................................................... 4 Activities Undertaken............................................................................................................................ 5 Functions Funded & Organised........................................................................................................... 6 Outcomes................................................................................................................................................ 7 Achievements of RAW ..................................................................................................................... 10 Constraints to Participation ............................................................................................................... 10 Conclusion............................................................................................................................................ 11 Reference List ...................................................................................................................................... 12 v Executive Summary It has previously been identified that more women desire that their work and presence on family farms, in the community and related rural industries be recognised by all levels of government, farmers, agribusiness and agricultural organisations (Haslam-McKenzie 1998). Rural women are involved in every facet of rural life, directly contribute $4 billion or 30% of all farm output (RIRDC 2005 & Troeth 2004), and yet remain poorly represented at a regional industry level let alone in senior leadership positions. Consequently, in 2002 the Federal Government acted on the untapped potential of women in rural Australia, by sending a delegation of inspired rural women to the World Congress of Women in Spain. This initiative was supported by GRDC, RIRDC, Horticulture Australia and various industry and agribusiness groups. In November 2002 Riverina participants of the World Women’s Congress addressed a regional dinner in Leeton at which possible options to address identified needs to encouraging increased participation by women. Riverina Agricultural Women (RAW) has created interest and support throughout the irrigation communities of southern NSW. The group has participants from all broad acre and horticultural irrigated agricultural industries. The desired outcomes were to provide support and encouragement networks, to build confidence and to develop leadership skills that can be utilised at family, community and industry levels. There was also the opportunity for women involved to progress past the regional focus to national programs such as participation in the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry Industry Partnerships – Corporate Governance for Rural Women. RAW developed activities to encourage to contribution of women to irrigated agriculture in Southern NSW. In the future, this will provide an excellent human resource to the community, industry and the region. Despite the initiative, a number of barriers have been identified. These include the impact of the worst drought on record on the discretionary spending of rural women, travel distances, commitment to school timetables, provision of childcare facilities and culture. vi Introduction The Riverina Agricultural Women (RAW) project was born out of the desire to improve the participation of Riverina women in their community and industries.