Rural Women Alive!

Rural Women Alive!
No. 89 – 12 August 2009

International Day of Rural Women / International Year of Natural Fibre

The International Day of Rural Women is held each year on 15 October. The theme this year is “Rural Women at the Heart of Innovation”.

Many RWNZ groups are twinning this theme with the International Year of Natural Fibres, holding a range of events with a natural fibre focus. (Check the Calendar below)

Marlborough Provincial is holding a Natural Fibre Expo on 10 October at the Nativity Hall, Alfred Street, Blenheim from 9am to 5pm. Public admission $2. All welcome.

There will be craftspeople including spinners, flax makers, weavers, quilt makers and other groups making things out of natural fibres displaying and selling their wares. The day will include two fashion parades of garments made out of natural fibres.

Waikato Mini Expo – On Friday 30 October RWNZ Waikato will be holding an expo to promote natural fibre and show the consumer where it comes from, how it is used and where to purchase the end product from. The aim is to bring together women business owners in the fields of alpaca, merino, coloured sheep, angora goats and rabbits and possums, who wish to showcase the animals and show how the fibre is harvested, prepared and used to create an end product. I Email c.freeman@clear.net.nz. There will be no charge. Venue: Waikato Summer Show has kindly offered RWNZ the use of the West Wing of the Claudelands Event Centre. Exhibitors will be able to use the venue for the rest of the weekend.

Central (Region 4) annual Regional lunch – On 17 October Region 4 members are getting together to hear speakers speaking on the topic “Rural Women at the Heart of Innovation’. The focus will be on the difficult task of getting a good commercial idea off the drawing board and into the market place. The talk-feast will take place at the Palmerston North RSA. Bookings to Anne Finnie email anne.garth@clear.net.nz

South Otago Provincial – October 15 – ‘Rural Women at the Heart of Innovation’ at Telford Rural Polytechnic near Balclutha – great speakers, fashion parades and interesting displays. Registration information will be sent in late August to all Otago Branches, Provincials and individual members.

Northland Region – October 15 - International Day of Rural Women / International Year of Natural Fibres – regional day in Warkworth with exhibitors including flax weavers and others. At Warkworth Catholic Church Hall, Alnwick Street, Warkworth. 10.30 a.m onwards. Gold coin entry.

Safety NZ Week - 7-13 September – Injuries in the Home
Every 48 seconds someone in New Zealand is injured in the home and last year 25,000 New Zealanders ended up in hospital as a result of accidents in the home.
ACC is launching an Online Interactive Challenge. In the video your task is to get your house ready for a party later that day. You will be shown some safety tips and hints and at each stage will be presented with two options. If you make bad calls there’s a good chance you’ll have an embarrassing accident.

The safety challenge will be on the website www.homesafety.co.nz from 7 September.
Also on the website are downloadable posters, a ‘top tips’ card, a Safety Begins at Home leaflet, safety articles, and a Home in on Safety checklist.
If you have children on grandchildren there are also kids resources including games, activity books and colouring books which can also be downloaded.

ATV Safety
A comprehensive resource on ATV safety particularly aimed at children was brought to our attention recently – www.teachingonline.org/atv.html. This could be useful to branches that are holding Rural School Safety Days.

Department of Labour research highlights that off-road vehicles, in particular tractors and ATVs, are a leading cause of death and injury on farms. And ACC statistics show that 300 children were injured in ATV accidents from 2006 to 2008.
Between 2000 and 2006, 212 children were hospitalized, and 15 died, due to ATV accidents. More than half of the injured children had been driving at the time and the youngest driver was only two years old! Only 14% of the children had been wearing helmets.

Sustainable Farming Fund Grant enables water quality improvements.
Rai Valley and the Aorere Valley, two iconic dairy farming catchments in the Upper South Island have been granted Sustainable Farming Fund funding in a three year project to help improve water quality. The successful Aorere project has already been going for three years and has now been linked to the Rai to help farmers there with information learned from their experience. As we as dairying areas, both are tourist destinations with high rainfall.
The Rai Valley project grew from a meeting hosted by Rai Valley Rural Women New Zealand last year that also included representatives from NZ Landcare Trust, Fonterra, DairyNZ and key local landowners.

Walking Access Commission
There have been few more polarising rural community issues in the last five years than walking access rights to public and privately-owned land. Rural Women New Zealand has been at the forefront of the debate from the start, representing and advocating for members at both local and national levels. Some of the public dust has settled since the passing of the Walking Access Act 2008 and the subsequent establishment of the Walking Access Commission chaired by John Acland.

Recently, Liz Evans (National Councillor Region 3 – Top of the South) attended the second stakeholder consulting group meeting where the Commission launched its draft National Strategy on Walking Access and draft Guide to Walking Access, or code of conduct. The Commission will shortly be calling for public input. For a link to these documents and RWNZ’s response, go to www.ruralwomen.org.nz

Nitrification Inhibitor Research update
A new partnership between MAF, the dairy and fertilizer industries is making a significant investment into researching nitrification inhibitors, new technology that supports farmers to reduce the environmental impact of their farming operations. The partners are investing up to $10 million in a research programme aimed at reducing nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate leaching, while enhancing pasture growth. Initial research will be based in Waikato, Manawatu, Canterbury and Southland. Nitrification inhibitors slow down the conversion of ammonium in the soil to nitrate. The ammonium comes from animal urine and nitrogen fertilizer applied to pasture. Once converted the nitrate is less strongly held by the soil and can leach into waterways and be converted to the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, which contributes to global warming.

Farmers Market Authenticity Programme
The Farmers Market New Zealand Association has launched a nationwide authenticity programme, intended to help customers distinguish between “authentic” farmer and grower markets and others. An ‘authentic’ market is one that consists of at least 80% local stallholders.

Women in Dairying Study released
The Dairy Women’s Network recently released a comprehensive study of women working in the dairy farming industry. This follows on from a North Island study in 2005. The study showed women are involved in making some of the most important strategic decisions about their farming operations. However one third of the women find sexism a major barrier for their work in the industry. While not generally involved in the operational level on farms, they still remain highly involved in calf rearing. A significant positive gain over the last three years has been in the area of internet connectivity and usage. In 2005 only 42% of women had access to the internet and used it regularly. In three years this has increased to 73%. Only 5% of the women surveyed had no access to the internet, compared to 25% in 2005.

Rural Broadband offer
Vodafone and Farmside announced a new partnership today to bring more broadband to rural NZ. They say they will work together to provide broadband over the right technology to best suit the customer; mobile where appropriate or satellite where it is not, extending Farmside’s rural reach. The companies are targeting the estimated 60,000 “commercially non viable customers” (CNVCs) who are currently on dial up, offering such customers who are within Vodafone’s mobile coverage $500 worth of hardware free. Those outside Vodafone’s mobile coverage will receive free satellite installation from Farmside. The offer is valid until March 31, 2010. Call 0800 RURAL7 (0800 787 257) for more information.

RWNZ Bursaries
A reminder that RWNZ Secondary School Boarding bursary applications close on 30 September. Anyone (not just RWNZ members) is eligible to apply. For relevant forms and further information go to: www.ruralwomen.org.nz/bursaries.htm

2010 New Zealand Nuffield Scholarships close soon
Applications for a $35,000 New Zealand Nuffield Scholarship close on 28 August 2009. These are open to anyone in a land based activity who wants to further their professional development and gain new skills within leadership and business management.

Harold the Giraffe shoots for the stars
Our executive officer Noeline Holt headed for Parliament yesterday to join hundreds of children, PM John Key and Harold the Giraffe in launching the Life Education Trust’s Wish Upon a Star national art competition, which will bring outer space live into one New Zealand classroom later this year. Children can enter the art competition through any branch of The National Bank of through their school. Entries close on 25 September and the winners will be announced in October.

The competition is being run alongside Harold’s two day journey to an international space station 200 miles above Earth where he will stay with a team of astronauts for several months.
The trip and competition are being used to engage teachers and children in the importance of following their dreams. While Harold is in space children can email the space station and ask questions via an educational website www.haroldinspace.co.nz.

2010 Golden Lamb Awards - Glammies
Entry forms for the Glammies will be available from September. For more information on the competition go to www.beeflambnz.co.nz. If you haven’t entered before and would like to register your interest, call Beef and Lamb on 0800 733 766.

Health
Endo What?
Endometriosis affects one in five women and teenage girls, with the most common symptom being painful periods. Despite being so common, it has a low profile, with many women normalizing symptoms, rather than seeking medical advice. It is a chronic progressive condition. Left untreated it is a leading cause of fertility problems. At present diagnosis takes on average 10 years from presentation of first symptoms. It can be treated however. For more information go to www.endometriosiswaikatoorg.nz.

Osteoporosis Awareness Week Awards – Know someone who deserves a medal?
This is your chance to show an active, inspirational and ‘mature’ friend or family member what they mean to you. Osteoporosis NZ is calling for nominations for this year’s “You Deserve a Medal” Awards which encourage older people to stay physically active. Previous winners have been ‘ordinary men and women’ who have inspired their families and friends with their ‘can do’ attitudes and active lives. Regular exercise slows bone loss and reduces the risk of osteoporosis, a disease that affects approximately half of NZ women and nearly one third of NZ men over the age of 60. To nominate someone go to www.bones.org.nz for an application form. Or phone (04) 499 4862 or email info@bones.org.nz. Applications close 4 September.

Carers NZ - National Carers Conference – 24/25 September
The third National Carers Conferenced will be held in Auckland’s Waipuna Events Centre on 24/25 September, which will include a number of keynote speakers, and learning events for carers. For the full programme go to www.carers.net.nz or call 0800 777 797.
Cervical Screening Awareness month
The message from the National Cervical Screening Programme is to have a smear test every three years – it could save your life. Contact your doctor, nurse or health worker for an appointment or call 0800 729 729 for further information. Be in to win 1 of 1000 beauty travel packs by visiting www.cervicalscreening.govtnz. No product purchase required. Entries close 30/11/09.

Mental Health Issues in the rural sector
Agricultural journalist Yvonne O'Hara, of Otago and Southland-based Southern Rural Life, is working on a feature about mental health issues in the rural sector. She would like to hear from members who have either friends or family or themselves had experiences with stress, depression, anxiety and other similar issues. These could have been caused by adverse events, such as drought, the recession and low prices, illness, bereavement, accident, post-natal depression or whatever else life throws at you.
How were you or the friend or family member affected? What caused it? How did you and they deal with it? Did they choose to ignore it or did they seek help? What were the outcomes? Was there sufficient help from agencies? Was there community involvement ie friends, neighbours, who provided support? What type of help worked best? What else do you think needs to be done or to be provided either by agencies or within the community. If it was a friend or family member who had issues, how did you approach them to offer help?
If you would like to share your thoughts please e-mail yvonne.ohara@alliedpress.co.nz

Social Issues
Rural Migrant Workforce & Settlement Support Seminars - Waikato
Settlement Support New Zealand (SSNZ), a national initiative of the Department of Labour, aims to connect newcomers locally and support access to services. There are two workshops planned for 21 August in Morrinsville and 25 August in Tokoroa. Any RWNZ members interested are invited to attend. Contact Lucia Reijgersberg, settlement support co-ordinator.

RWNZ - In house

National Conference blogsite
We have set up a site to store all the information about conference as it comes to hand. So rather than wondering, ‘where did I read that?’ you can now go to the blogsite. This is in the Members Only area of our RWNZ website (for the password contact national office). Click on the link under National Conference 2010. You can sort information according to subject, e.g. transport, accommodation, remits. This site will be constantly updated through to national conference.

Golden celebrations for Oranui/Taupo branch
Congratulations to Oranui/Taupo branch which celebrated its 50th anniversary on 9 August. “A fantastic day was held at the Wairaki Hotel with two foundation members present,” says national councilor Sue Saunders. “The hospitality was superb and the luncheon was wonderful.”

Telecom Phone Prize Draw
The RWNZ members’ prize draw to win three state of the art Telecom phones as detailed in the RWNZ Express magazine will close on Monday 24 August. The winners will be picked on Tuesday 25 and notified.

Rangitikei /Oroua Provincial Show Day
This provincial recently held its annual Show Bay day where our four branches compete in setting up a display on card tables of recently completed skills in a) sewing, b) baking, c) flower arranging and d) craft. The theme this year was natural fibre and the winning branch was Scotts Ferry.
In the afternoon Rangitikei District Council Civil Defence spoke about the preparations that rural folk need to keep in mind when thinking of the next storm, earthquake, tsunami or other catastrophe, like knowing your GPS.

Nelson Provincial Fun and Facts Day
Workshops on hypertufa, needle felting, appliqué cards, home maintenance and taking care of a garden in winter were all enjoyed by Nelson Provincial members during their Fun and Facts Day in Brightwater recently.
In the afternoon there was a panel discussion on Children with Specific Learning Difficulties with panelists from SPELD, an educational psychologist and a student teacher. “Everyone learned a great deal and realized there is need for more finance to help parents access these programmes,” says Provincial Secretary, Diane Higgins. “The extraordinary thing was that all these experts had left senior teaching positions to go private to help struggling children.”

Women in Farming

Rangitikei Manawatu Women in Farming and RWNZ had a joint day recently with a visit to a Taihape apiarist. Don Tweedale and family have around 13,000 hives throughout the Rangitikei/Southern King Country area, collecting many varieties of floral honey, plus manuka and other bee products such as propolis. “It was fascinating being shown through their extraction plant and learning about bee behaviour,” says Ruth Rainey. “They are absolutely amazing creatures and even in NZ they are losing a lot of their natural nectar sources.

Next month the group is planning an outing to Massey, followed by a visit to a large scale organic vegetable garden in October.

Pauatahanui Women in Farming Group are running an NZQA accredited Growsafe ä and agricultural chemical Approved Handlers Certificate course on Sunday 16 August from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Dog Training – Wairarapa -Are you interested in learning how to train your sheep dog?

Anna Holland recently held a dog training day in the Manawatu, and due to its success is running two more days in the Wairarapa. Both days will be held at Bideford, Masterton. Bad weather won't be a deterrent as most of the demonstrating will be under covered yards. Sunday 23 August and Tuesday 25 August. $75 pp, plus $25 for training/info book.

Amuri Women in Farming group recently got together to hear from guest speaker Christine Svensson to talk about the North Canterbury Vets Heifer Grazing Scheme. Christine spoke on feed budgeting, monitoring growth rates, condition scoring and farm management systems. Sarah Williams also spoke to the women about cattle animal health issues for sheep/beef and dairy/graziers and farmers.

Farmsitters available
We have received an email from a mid 40s couple from Queensland who are ‘basically professional farmsitters’ in Australia looking to travel around NZ doing same. References available. They will look after domestic animals, horses, cattle, gardens, mowing. Some experience of sheep and goats. Have had own farm. Mechanically minded. Available from 18 Jan onwards. Happy to go anywhere. Contact Leanne Salter email whit.salt@yahoo.com.au.

RWNZ Membership Benefits – What’s in it for me? Go to www.ruralwomen.org.nz
Information: You will receive copies of the internal RWNZ Express after National Council meetings and Rural Women magazine twice a year
Advocacy: At a national level we support rural communities by ensuring that the rural voice is heard when policy is being developed in any of our four portfolio areas: health, social issues, land access and education.

Online Business Directory: If you are an RWNZ member you can add your business to the RWNZ Business Directory. To sign up, go to the Business Directory section of our website and click on the Business Directory enquiry form.
Bursaries: A range of RWNZ bursaries and grants are awarded each year. Check out our website for secondary school bursaries and the Scotlands Te Kiteroa Charitable Trust grant which close in September.

Accommodation: We have affordable accommodation available in Wellington (Honda House) with discounts for members.

Rural Bulletin: This free monthly publication keeps you up to date with a wide range of issues that affect rural people, and alerts you to consultations and upcoming submission dates.

Membership section: On our website we have a Members Only section. This has all the forms, guidelines, merchandise etc. A password is required. Contact Belinda@ruralwomen.org.nz for details.

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