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Rural women in Australia

Trying to work out the various rural women's networks can be a difficult task. As we have diverse geographical regions and differences between agricultural and rural, so too is there diversity in the rural women's networks. This is one of its great strengths. Below is a quick summary of the rural women's landscape in Australia - with apologies for any omissions. There are four nationally recognised rural women's organisations in Australia; the Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women, Australian Women in Agriculture, Country Women's Association Australia and Women's Industry Network Seafood Community. The largest of these is the Country Women's Association, which operates in all six states and both territories and has in excess of 35,000 members across 1800 local branches. There are also women's timber, transport and dairy networks. The State's have their own membership networks of varying strengths and, in cooperation with the State Governments and other groups, run the successful Women on Farms gatherings each year. Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women The Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women (FAAW) is an independent, non-government organisation that aims to advance women in rural and regional communities and improve their participation in decision making at all levels. It operates as a non-profit group with tax-deductible status. There are 12 directors of FAAW, drawn from across Australia. FAAW was established in 1995 after the First International Conference for Women in Agriculture in Melbourne, 1994. It actively contributed to Australia's participation in the second conference in Washington DC in July 1998 and was involved in the organisation of the large Australian delegation to Spain. FAAW works collaboratively with a large community of women across Australia who are involved or interested in rural and agricultural industry. It consults widely and partners government and other non-government organisations in projects of benefit to rural women. Please contact the Foundation if you have a project in mind. Become a Friend of FAAW The Foundation's objective is to be inclusive and, by not implementing compulsory formal membership, it includes all agricultural, rural and regional women. Those wishing to support FAAW are invited to become a Friend of FAAW ($33 per annum). Website: www.faaw.org.au Australian Women in Agriculture Australian Women in Agriculture (AWiA) is a national non-government organisation of dedicated and committed women involved in the development of Australian primary production, rural industries and communities. By uniting and raising the profile of women across all aspects of agricultural industry, the membership of AWiA is making a significant contribution to the viability of rural Australia. AWiA was founded in 1993 as a public company limited by guarantee. One board member is elected from each State of Australia and the Northern Territory. Three general board members are elected by the full membership. Different categories of membership exist and most of the work of the organisation is carried out in a voluntary capacity. Members come from all areas of Australia and represent a wide number of agricultural and support industries. They are skilled, committed to the advancement of rural Australia and, while recognising the importance of managing change, also understand the importance of preserving the natural and historical heritage of rural and remote Australia. Increasingly, AWiA is attracting young well-educated members who are looking for a professional organisation to support them in their endeavours to make a difference for rural Australia. Website: www.awia.org.au Country Women's Association of Australia. The Country Women's Association of Australia (CWAA) is the largest women's organisation in Australia. It is non party political and non sectarian. The CWAA is self-funded aims to improve the conditions for country women and children and try to make life better for women and their families especially those women in rural and remote Australia. The CWA is represented at the United Nations and on a large number of State and Federal Government committee and other organisations. It makes submissions to governments on a wide variety of issues and awards scholarships to students in many different fields, including mature aged women. Instruction is given in all crafts. Participation is encouraged in drama, art and music, public speaking, cooking and floral art. Workshops are held to encourage older members to use the Computer and the ATM machines and electronic banking. The CWA was formed in New South Wales in 1922. Over the next 14 years, each State and the Northern Territory formed an association. The Federal body was formed 1945 and its first annual conference was held in Adelaide in 1946. The CWA made a huge contribution to Australia during the War Years 1939 to 1945, with members making meals for troops and serving in many voluntary capacities. The depression years saw the CWA. to the fore helping those in need with food and clothing parcels. In 1992 CWAA was awarded the RSL. ANZAC Peace Prize in recognition of the outstanding effort by an Australian organisation which has promoted the concept of international understanding, and has made a contribution to world peace in accordance with best traditions exemplified by ANZAC. Website: www.cwaa.org.au Women in Seafood Network Industry Community The Women in Seafood Network Industry Community (WINSC) is a non-profit, independent, non-government organisation whose mission is to assist the development and growth of all seafood women members in pursuit of their personal or business goals. Its aims are to foster a sense of pride, tradition and unity within women working in the seafood industry and to develop and improve the skills, knowledge and attitudes of the seafood industry so that the industry can become more competitive and reach its full potential. The board of WINSC is made up of representatives from each State and Territory, plus three directors at large. Email: wait.charmain@saugov.sagov.au Timber Communities Australia In 1986 a group of around five women in a very small village on the eastern side of Australia (Nimmitabel NSW) banded together to show their concern about their community and the people that made up that community. They could see that with an ever increasing trend towards the minority, anti forestry, green groups that were becoming fashionable in Australia they would need to support their fathers, partners and family in their quest to sustainably and productively harvest the forest. They also recognised the social and economic impacts our forest industries had on the local rural communities. Their goal was to ensure that people and their impacts were measured in accordance with scientific data in the forest debate. More than fifteen years later the group has a membership of around 13,000. More than 60% of its members (all volunteers) are still women! Possibly the largest organisation of its kind. The organisation holds the Women In Timber Conferences, conduct Forest and Mill tours, (promoting sustainable management), give presentations to schools, attend rural festivals and agricultural shows. All this at the same time as answering letters to editors and joining in on talk back radio shows to get the message out. The organisation has also been active in getting women from industry into the Australian Rural Leadership Program and regional character/confidence building programs. Email: j.lewis@tca.org.au Transport Women Australia Transport Women Australia (TWA) is a proactive group of committed people in the Australian transport industry, who aim to support women's involvement. TWA works to support projects and work with other organisations in the large Australian transport industry to promote professional development, leadership and training opportunities for women in the industry. Email: twal_info@yahoo.com