rural women outlook july 2013

www.ruralwomen.org.nz

JULY 2013

‘Pikelets for prostate cancer’ were popular with the punters at the National Fieldays, where we publicly launched our Y Front Up to Prostate Cancer campaign. Adding spice to our launch were the Fieldays Rural Bachelors who came along to lend their support and snack on a pikelet with Kiera Jacobson.

National Council had introduced the campaign at national conference, encouraging members to hold events to raise awareness of the disease and funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Early detection is important, but our menfolk might need a reminder to get themselves checked. ‘A nagging wife is the best prevention!’

Already Rural Women groups are beginning to think of humorous ways of getting the message across, with themed events planned.

One of the first off the block was South Taranaki Provincial who held a lunchtime event with former Stratford Mayor Brian Jeffares as the guest speaker.

Jennie Purdon, Provincial president says over 30 men and

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Enterprising Rural Women Awards 2013

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13School bus safety trial Ashburton

16Dangerous Decibels Programme

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Rural bachelors help launch Y Front Up Campaign

women came along to listen to Brian who has had personal experience of the disease.

Co-organiser, Helen Bayliss, says, “He had been having regular checks but suddenly his [PSA] levels elevated significantly and urgent action was necessary. Brian shared with us the options that he was offered to deal with having

prostate cancer, the path he took, and his knowledge of some of the consequent side effects following treatment. Brian stressed that different men will likely be offered differing treatments depending on age, and general health, and side effects could also likely be individual.”


Dear members and friends,Last week we hosted in the office a get together of Women in Farming RWNZ members.

The purpose was to see what bright future could develop for both Rural Women New Zealand and members whose specific focus within our organisation is production based land use.

Is this a significant part of RWNZ’s brand? The answer clearly is yes.

WHAT IS A BRAND?

There is historical belief that branding as we know it today has its roots firmly in the agricultural sector. The word “brand” is derived from the old Norse brandr meaning “to burn”.

Who hasn’t seen a cattle beast or a horse with an owner’s identifying brand stamp visible on their hide?

Traditionally, these were applied with a burning iron. These days there are less traumatic ways of livestock identity branding – for example, dry ice applications for our horses and ear tags for sheep and cattle.

But, the intent is the same: a method of informing the world that these are ours, we are proud of them and want to keep them secure.

The relevance and significance of this for a not for profit organisation such as RWNZ is considerable.

US consultant, James Heaton, says that an organisation’s brand should say: “This is what I am. This is why I

Editorial Liz Evans

Liz Evans, National President

exist. If you agree, if you like me, you can buy me (in our case by way of subscription), support me and recommend me to your friends.”

The brand is ultimately what determines if you will become a loyal “customer” or not.

Marketing may convince you to buy a particular maker’s car, but it is on-going brand perception and satisfaction that will determine if you will then continue to invest in that make of vehicle.

Our brand is built from many things – tradition, values, market relevance, innovation, forward thinking.

It would be heartening to know that all our members are aware of the importance of their role in protecting and enhancing these qualities. Taking up ownership of the brand and wanting to protect it is the highest honour a member can give to an organisation.

Why?

Because it is brand loyalty and recognition which gives confidence to our partner groups, sponsors and those we seek to engage with and influence.

And, through delivering on a reliable, credible and exciting organisation, we will be able to extend the reach of Rural Women New Zealand for all those already involved - and draw in more of the rural women out there with so much to offer.

So, become a brand advocate today. Your Brand!

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AGM

Our AGM in November will see some changes in national representation.

Nomination forms for leadership positions on the RWNZ National Council are included in this Outlook

mailout.

If you are considering standing for election, or nominating someone, now is the time to consider who would really be most effective for the positions available – from an organisational governance perspective.

Here are some question guidelines for potential candidates and their supporters:

• Am I committed to the members and mission of the organisation at all levels?

• Can I contribute the time and thinking required?

• Do I have clear communication and leadership skills?

• What other specific skills do I have that the Council needs to build its capability?

• Can I listen as well as talk?

• Am I a forward thinker willing to accept and embrace challenging times, ideas and people?

• Most importantly, at national level, can I see the big picture of policy, strategy, finance and the need for action?

Kind regards

Liz Evans National President Rural Women New Zealand

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Liz Evans, National President


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The Supreme Winner of the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Awards 2013 is Diane Coleman of Treeline Native Nursery, based at Ngongotaha, near Rotorua. Diane also won the Love of the Land category, sponsored by Agrisea Limited.

Treeline Native Nursery, which Diane started 17 years ago, supplies NZ native trees, shrubs and grasses for re-vegetation and ornamental purposes, growing more than 300,000 plants a year that are sold to councils, farmers, landscapers, developers and the home gardener.

The growing requirement to eco-source seed sees Diane travelling through Bay of Plenty and Waikato, contacting farmers for this task. The nursery’s location at 419m above sea level ensures plants are hardy and relatively pest free.

An interesting development over the last three years has been joining a bio-dynamic group and exploring planting by the moon, using an old Allied Farmers Co-op lunar calendar, which has streamlined the company’s propagation with surprisingly good results.

Diane Coleman was chosen as the Supreme Winner out of a strong field of 20 contenders. Chief judge, national president Liz Evans, said Diane displayed skill, calm confidence in the progress of her business and a clear awareness of her market.

“When demand for products slowed with the 2010 economic downturn, Diane adapted to conditions, made some innovative decisions and was able to maintain production levels.

“Added to this, the business is rural-based, employs several rural women and gives back to the community with fundraising support.”

Other winners on the night included Beaumont

Diane Coleman of Treeline Native Nursery, pictured with Liz Evans (left) and Jill Bradley of Agrisea Ltd, sponsor of the Love of the Land category

member Jan Harper, of Bluespur Butchery in Lawrence, who won the Telecom-sponsored Help! I Need Somebody category.

As one of New Zealand’s first female butchers, Jan, who’s been in the industry since 1977, said it was a ‘dream come true’ when she opened her own business, Bluespur Butchery, in 2009. As well as selling meat to the public, a big part of the business is processing for farmers and hunters.

A very successful exporter of animal by-products from Waipukurau took away the Making it in Rural category, sponsored by Fly Buys Ltd. Angela Payne runs Agri-lab Co-Products Ltd. Utilising animal parts that previously may have ended up in the offal-pit, the company specialises in placenta, glands, membranes,

tendons and glandulars, with 90 percent of the product exported. This is shipped all over the world as raw products for the pharmaceutical and dietary supplements markets.

Lynn Le Gros of Telecom Foundation, sponsor of the Help! I Need Someone category, congratulates Jan Harper of Bluespur Butchery

Angela Payne of Agri-lab Co-Products Ltd with Trevor Jellie of Flybuys, sponsor of the Making it in Rural category

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It’s Jock the Sock Monkey!Congratulations to Teresa Mason-Higgins of Stratford the winner of our Facebook competition to name our Y Front Up Sock Monkey, and thanks to everyone who entered.

Teresa wins a copy of the latest Penguin book ‘Baked’ from Global Baker Dean Brettschneider.

Jock loves to travel and is available to support your Y Front Up events. Contact Kiera in national office.

Council gets in behind Y Front Up campaign

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Each year in New Zealand around 3,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. While no one-knows the cause, age is the strongest risk factor. It’s the most common cancer diagnosed in men and the third leading cause of cancer deaths in this country.

When rural men are affected, it can mean the loss of livelihoods and farms.The 2012 Prostate Cancer Taskforce recommends men with urinary symptoms should request assessment by their GP. This assessment is likely to include a PSA blood test and digital rectal examination (DRE). The general practitioner may suggest referral to a specialist depending on the

severity of the symptoms or if there is a suspicion that there may be underlying prostate cancer.

Between now and November, we’re encouraging groups to hold prostate-themed events around the country, such as cocktail parties and pikelets for prostate, hosting guest speakers and organising fun activities to raise awareness of the disease and funds for research.

National office can help with finding speakers and promotional materials such as stickers, pamphlets and posters.

The money collected will be presented to the Prostate Cancer Foundation at our AGM in November.

Blue cocktails and whacky dress ups helped councillors and guests get into the spirit of a Y Front Up soiree held in Wellington this month. (Above left) David Chrisp from Access and Gerard Vaughan, who works with the Mental Health Foundation and Movember on a wellbeing programme for farmers.

Right - Liz Evans pictured with Rural Women NZ’s lawyer Malcolm Gillespie

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The Bridge to Health programme received a $4,100 boost when Otago/Southland national councillor Margaret Pittaway, and Triple F Challenge planning committee convenor, Pat Macaulay, went to Dunedin this month to present them with a cheque.

The money was raised at a charity auction evening during the Rural Women assault of the Otago Central Rail Trail in April.

After dinner speaker and breast cancer survivor, Dr Sue Walthert, had spoken of her journey to recovery and her work with the Bridge to Health programme. Sue and her Swiss husband Eddie also joined our 85 bikers and walkers for three days on the trail.

Photo (l to r): Mike Kernaghan CEO Otago/Southland Cancer Society; Margaret Pittaway

national councillor Otago/Southland; Dr Sue Walthert ‘Bridge It’ Bridge to Health Programme and Pat Macaulay convener of the Triple F Challenge

2013 Planning Committee

Bridge to Health boost from Rail Trail funds

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Kylie Stewart of Rangitikei Farmstay was announced as the winner of the Stay, Play, Rural Award, sponsored by Access Homehealth Ltd. Her 1500 acre farm has been in the Stewart family since 1901 and Kylie has breathed new life into many of the old buildings to create attractive accommodation for up to 19 guests at a time who come from all over the world to get a taste of New Zealand rural life with farm tours, horse treks, clay bird shooting and shearing and mustering demonstrations on offer.

The judging panel also decided to give a special Rural Women NZ Encouragement Award. This went to Lee Lamb, a young farming woman who lives in Waikaia, Southland. As her children grew, and unable to find

New Zealand farm-themed books to read to them, Lee decided to write and illustrate her own. A self-taught writer and painter, Lee was also determined to have her books printed in New Zealand.

In congratulating the winners, Liz Evans said, “Running a successful business anywhere in today’s competitive economy is not easy. It takes time, commitment, money and a passion to succeed. And, of course, you have to have the initial idea to get started. And, in the rural context, the start-up and ability to keep going

Kylie Stewart of Rangitikei Farmstay with Stay, Play Rural category sponsor, Access Homehealth chair, John Ayling

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Special encouragement award winner, Lee Lamb of Lee Lamb Publishing with Liz Evans


can produce even more challenges. The logistics of running a business away from a centralised urban area can throw up hurdles such as access to prompt transport and communication – not to mention extra costs of freight and postage.

Congratulations to all our very deserving winners.

Lee Lamb’s children’s books are available from our online storewww.ruralwomen.org.nz/shop

www.ruralwomen.org.nz6

Peggy chooses to go forward

Peggy Bourne-Mitchell gave people a message of hope after tragedy in a moving speech in Balclutha last month.

South Otago Provincial had brought the widow of top rally driver Possum Bourne to talk about her ‘Speed Bumps in the Road’ and over 150 people braved cold, snowy weather conditions to come along and hear her.

South Otago Provincial President, Hilary McNab, says many people are touched by tragedy at some time in their lives, and people could relate to how Peggy dealt

with her grief and moved on.

Peggy also showed photos and talked about her fascinating early life in Africa, growing up as a missionary’s daughter in Zambia. Her father was a ‘flying missionary’ who had to pilot and look after his own plane. The family lived in Zambia for four year stretches, followed by six month breaks in America, where her mother would buy all the Christmas, birthday

and even tooth fairy presents for the following four years!

There were a lot of bonuses to living in Africa, Peggy said. ‘’I used to have a pet monkey and a wild cat as pets.’’

Peggy met Possum Bourne as a 22 year old when he was competing in the East African Safari Rally. “His attitude was never give up and try harder.”

Possum Bourne was killed in 2003 after his vehicle collided with another on a reconnaissance run for the then annual Race to the Sky event in the Cardrona

Valley, near Wanaka.

‘’Nothing prepares you for losing your entire world,’’ Mrs Bourne-Mitchell said.

‘’For a whole year nothing seemed to exist. You exist in a zombie mode.’’

There was no right or wrong way to grieve but only your way, she said.

She began to feel hope after competing in the Race to Sky event herself, finishing in a very respectable 13 minutes, compared with Possum’s time of 10 minutes.

‘’It was the biggest change from grief to new life. For the first time, I felt there was true hope.”

“You can choose to suffer, you can choose to rehash or you can choose to go forward.’’Peggy Bourne has since remarried. She lives in Orewa with her husband Mark Mitchell, a former police dog handler who is now the MP for Rodney.

The very successful Peggy Bourne-Mitchell event was made possible with support from the Rural Women NZ Pat Evans Fund and the Rural Communities Trust.

Rural Women NZ AGM

Peggy Bourne-Mitchell and South Otago Provincial president, Hilary McNab

We warmly invite all members to come to Wellington for our AGM on November 25th at St John’s Church hall, Willis Street, Wellington, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

This is an important meeting, and changes to our National Council will be announced, including our

new National President.

Nomination forms are included with this magazine, according to your region.

Nominations are required for the following National Council positions: National President, National Finance Chair and all

National Regional Councillors, (apart from Pam Thomlinson, Top of the South, who is not required to be nominated this round).

Nominations close 6 September. If an election is required election papers will be mailed on 20 September. Voting closes 1 November.

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Southland forest keeps on givingSince the last milling of their forest at Dipton in 2010, Southland Rural Women groups have given $23,636 from the forestry proceeds to schools, kindergartens and playcentres, various health providers including rest homes and hospices, and a wide range of other groups including the Westpac helicopter, the Riverton coastguard, Girl Guides, Age Concern, Waikawa Museum and the fire brigade to name a few.

This builds on 30 years of giving to the Southland community, since the first harvesting of the forest.

Forestry committee member Patsy Gordon says “All profits from the forest must go to the communities within the Southland Province.

“Over the last 20 years we have given out bursaries totalling $18,000 to forestry students

and year 9 boarding students at Southland Girls’ High School. These girls live in rural areas where the only option is to board. We intend next year to extend these bursaries to a Southland Boys’ High School boy and a forestry apprentice.”

Southland members enjoyed the benefits of their own generosity as they walked the Winton Walkway in April for

their Women Walk the World event. An avenue of trees had been planted on the walkway, and a bridge built with funds from the forest and prize money the group received from a Landcare Trust Award for Innovation in Sustainable Farm Forestry in 2012.

Two brothers named George and Adam Hamilton were so impressed with the work of Women’s Division Federated Farmers (WDFF) during the Depression and the Second World War that they donated the land for the forest to WDFF. In those early days the members raised seedlings and planted them out. The forest is now managed by a local firm Craigpine after passing through many different hands.

A further payout of funds for Southland branches to distribute will be made in August.

In July the Ministry of Education announced new boarding allowances for geographically isolated students and others who experience significant barriers to achievement at their local school.

The new boarding allowances reflect the changes in barriers to young people’s schooling since boarding bursaries were introduced in the 1940s, particularly for rural. With improved cars and better roads, many rural children can now go to their local secondary or area school. Well supported local schools help build dynamic rural communities and as the average age of farmers is now well into their 50s, keeping our rural communities dynamic and vibrant is more important than ever.

However for those who have to travel greater distances on minor unsealed roads, the time and cost involved is a bigger consideration factor, and this is where the new boarding allowances are important. From 2014 if students live too far from an appropriate school, (e.g. 60km or 60 minutes drive) or if the closest school transport is over 20km away, their parents can apply for one of 1,300 boarding allowances of $3,200. Further travel assistance is available for students living in remote island locations such as the Chathams and

New boarding allowances announcedGreat Barrier.

Other boarding allowances of up to $7,500 are available for students with multiple barriers to educational success, such as low achievement, poor participation, behavioural and relationship difficulties or who have poor family support. Boarding allowances are also available for children to board

privately.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT Please note that the eligibility and support for transport assistance to a local school remains unchanged.

Students must live more than: 3.2 km from their nearest appropriate school for students from Years 1-8; 4.8 km from their

nearest appropriate school, for students from Years 9 or over. This distance is measured over the shortest public road or public pedestrian route from the home roadside gate of the student, to the nearest appropriate school. The address of the school is taken from the nearest public road to the school’s front gate.

Bursary guidelines and application forms can be found at www.minedu.govt.nz/Parents/YourTeen/BoardingAllowances.aspx

Forestry committee chair, Virginia Broughton presents the Enwood Boarding bursary to Roseanna Middleton of Dipton


Crimestoppers’ John Perham and Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff

“We need to move from being bystanders to being active participants to help fight crime.”While there was little personal experience or awareness from respondents about violence or threats of violence towards women, men, children or animals, Dave Cliff said violence is just as rife in rural areas as it is in urban, with only one in nine incidents thought to be reported.

He said the police attitude is that domestic violence is incredibly important, and the most important area of crime prevention.

When boys are exposed to violence in the home in an ongoing way they are less likely to be empathetic and more likely to become violent themselves. When girls are exposed, they come to believe it is perfectly normal, and later, that having a partner who is violent is normal.

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RURAL CRIME SURVEY

What you told us

Dogs are a man’s best friend, and a woman’s too if our Rural Crime Survey results are anything to go by.

Most of the respondents to our online survey were female and many said one of the things that reassures them is having a dog to warn of anyone arriving at the property. Good neighbours are also important, and most people felt safe or very safe in their own home both during the both the day and at night, with a few feeling a little less safe when out and about in their neighbourhoods after dark.

The survey was funded by Crimestoppers, an organisation set up to encourage people to report crimes and suspicious activity with the promise of total anonymity. As we heard from Crimestoppers’ John Perham at national conference, the 0800 555 111 help line is answered in the United Kingdom, so people needn’t fear the operator will recognise their voice!

There is certainly a place for such an anonymous service, as our crime survey revealed a much wider range of responses when it came to the question of whether there were some crimes people wouldn’t report to the police.

The crimes people expressed concern about in rural communities included drug related incidents, harassment and intimidation, difficult neighbours, rustling of stock, speeding vehicles, theft of farm equipment, trespassers and spotlighters.

Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff also urged people to help themselves. When it came to machinery theft he asked, “Where were the keys?” which raised rueful laughter from members. He also said stock theft concerns should be reported to Crimestoppers to help build up an anecdotal picture of what’s happening, even if hard and fast evidence is not available.

Ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Post traumatic stress disorder projectThere is a proven link between high stress environments and post traumatic stress disorder, vice president Wendy McGowan and executive officer Noeline Holt told delegates at national conference.

From the concluding observations of the CEDAW Committee on

the Elimination of Discrimination against Disadvantaged Groups of Women, the Committee commented on the impact of the Christchurch earthquake on women, particularly rural women and older women, including their reported higher degrees of stress, anxiety and depression.

Rural Women NZ will run a fundraising project from our November 2013 AGM through to national conference in November 2014. This project is a follow on from the successful fundraising for counselling project with Pegasus Health which saw over 80 rural women receive counselling.


We welcome your favourite recipes for biscuits, squares, slices, shortcakes, muffins, cupcakes, scones and pikelets, small cakes, buns, madeleines, gems, friandes, loaves, breads, brioche, cakes, puddings and desserts, Christmas baking, Easter baking and confectionary! We’d also like recipes for gluten and dairy free variants.

In addition, tell us which are your favourite baking recipes from the old blue WDFF cookbook, quoting the name and page number, and we will re-publish these tried and tested recipes in the new book as well.

Don’t forget to tell us why you like the recipe, or when you use it (i.e. special occasions, family lunches) to add that personal touch to the book. We’d also welcome any baking hints.

We need 500 recipes, so feel free to send as many as you like!

The book will be published in time for Mothers’ Day 2014 and will be another great fundraising opportunity for branches, as well as a chance to see your family favourite recipes in print.

New baking cookbook recipes wanted!

Our strong relationship with publisher Random House continues as we start to gather material for our third cookbook, which we are sure will be another great success.

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Ruth Rivett-Cuthbert of Twig branch in Otago has sent us this scrumptious recipe for Tiramilova to go in the new baking book.

6 egg whites 250 mascarpone 360g castor sugar 5 tablespoons Kahlua 3 tsps white vinegar or lemon juice 1 dessert sp cornflour 400mls cream 1 tablespoon cocoa 100g chocolate chip, flake or hail

Preheat oven to 150c fan bake setting. Draw 3 X 20cm diameter circles onto 3 sheets of non-stick baking paper.

In a large bowl, whip the egg whites until they form peaks. Gradually add the 360g sugar and whip a further 8/10 minutes or until all the sugar granules have dissolved. Combine vinegar or lemon and the cornflour.

Divide the meringue between the 3 baking paper rings and form into even, flat discs. Sift the cocoa evenly over all 3 layers. Place on baking trays in the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Turn the heat down

Please send your recipes by end of August to national office.

By email to [email protected] or by post to RWNZ, PO Box 12-021, Wellington.

to 100c and cook a further 30 or so minutes. Remove from oven and leave to cool to room temperature.

Place the mascarpone and Kahlua into a medium sized bowl. Whisk together with an electric beater to combine. Add the cream and beat until firm whipped. Removing the paper from the layers as you go, place the first cake layer upside down on a serving plate. Pile on less than half the cream and smooth over evenly leaving a centimeter gap at the edge. Sprinkle over half the chocolate. Repeat the process with the second layer. Top with the final cake layer cocoa side up.

With the remaining cream put a 2 or 3cm ring around the top outer edge and decorate with strawberries and chocolate hail.

The 27th ACWW Triennial Conference is set to converge on Chennai

in India from 26th September to 2nd October. This conference is very significant, as it is only the third ACWW Triennial Conference to be held in a developing

country.

The theme is ‘Empowering Women Worldwide - Encourage, Educate, Enrich’.

Our national president Liz Evans is heading the New Zealand delegation which includes international officer Marie Appleton and other Rural Women members.

They will be giving a $1000

cheque from funds you raised at the Women Walk the World events this year for books for schoolchildren in India. The balance will go to Pennies for Friendship.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF RURAL WOMEN

The theme for the International Day of Rural Women on October 15th is SPEAK UP. Please tell us about your planned events.


National conference in pictures


Editor RWNZ, PO Box 12021, Wellington 6144

Web www.ruralwomen.org.nz

Tel 04 473 5524 Email [email protected]

ISSN 2253-3613 (Print)

ISSN 2253-3621 (Online)

Printer Precise Print & Design, Paraparaumu

Journal of Rural Women New Zealand


Blenheim Wairau branch were the winners of this year’s Lady Blundell trophy, presented at national conference to the branch with the most innovative idea. Their idea was to provide packs to patients in the emergency department at Wairau hospital who arrive in a hurry with no personal effects.

Debbie Hartstonge, ED nurse at Wairau hospital, is pictured right with branch members Pam Macdonald and Jocelyn Cresswell. She says, “It’s absolutely wonderful, a fabulous idea.”

CRAFTY

Other competition winners at national conference included Ann Irving, who won the Cora Wilding trophy for a reusable shopping bag and Heather Smith who won the Wool for Ewe and Me competition of a knitted cushion cover (below).

Congratulations to Jenny Malcolm (right) from North Otago, a first time entrant in the speech competition, who won both the Tutaenui wooden bell and the Tarrant bell trophies.

She gave an entertaining take on the topic ‘I have a dream’, inspired by her experiences as a mother of teens.

National Conference competition winners

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The Talbot trophy for the best international officer’s report was won by Melva Robb and the Honora O’Neill trophy for the best provincial president’s report went to Rachael Dean.

The Marlborough Short Story competition was won by Ellen Burnard and the Olive Burdekin Advanced Writers’ competition by Jenny Malcolm. These reports and the short stories can be viewed in the Members’ Only area of our website - www.ruralwomen.org.nz.

Helen Godsiff announced that next year’s short story topic is ‘An Unforgettable Animal’.

A fun diversion at conference was Fly Buys’ rendition of an old TV favourite, re-named ‘The Points or the Bag’. ‘Selwyn Toogood’ aka Trevor Jellie of Fly Buys, encouraged plenty of noisy audience participation as he goaded Lesley McIntosh, Bobbie Poll and Rita Moir to choose between enticing Fly Buys reward items or popular Fly Buys points.

Other conference sponsors also had some great prizes to give away.

The Southfuels/Northfuels $1000 travel voucher prize draw advertised in our May Express was won by Margaret Osborne, while Glenys Roberts won a $2,000 power voucher and Gloria McCutcheon a huge pamper hamper, both from Meridian.


National Conference competition winners After years of pushing for more safety measures for children travelling on school buses, Rural Women NZ is delighted that a comprehensive trial is underway in Ashburton by Transport Engineering Research New Zealand, funded by the Road Safety Trust which is now part of the NZ Transport Agency.

Rural Women NZ is involved at all stages of the trial, including surveying the public, helping with publicity and helping to find a bus company that was willing to take part.

Special mention must go to Maureen Maginness who has done a sterling job out in cold, wet weather, aided on different days by Kerry Maw, Louise Clucas, Marion Dent, Janet Benfell, Marion Brown and Trish Small, surveying 327 people about their perceptions of school bus safety, prior to the trial beginning. This will give the researchers a baseline to work from.

The catchy slogan ‘Either way it’s 20k’ is being used in the awareness campaign in newspapers, billboards, posters and flyers, as well as local radio and television.

During the July school holidays, Pearsons Coachlines will have flashing, illuminated

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20k signs installed on their fleet of 30 school buses, as part of the second phase of the trial. The bold signs will light up when the doors open for children to board or leave the bus.

The final stage of the trial will take place in October, and at each stage, driver responses will be measured.

Since 1987, twenty-three children have been killed in New Zealand when crossing the road to or from school buses. In addition 47 have been seriously injured, and 92 received minor injuries.

Rural children are especially vulnerable when drivers speed past school buses and have been involved in a number of serious and fatal accidents. They often get on or off the bus where there is an underlying open-road speed limit and no footpath.

Access Homehealth was delighted recently when Toyota New Zealand entered into a sponsorship arrangement to provide the latest model Corolla cars for its front-line staff as part of a promotion for charitable organisations.

Access Homehealth’s community nurses play a vital role in assessing and supporting clients in their own homes. As a key provider to rural clients, this means a considerable amount of travel, sometimes in remote areas. Having a modern, reliable

School Bus Safety Trial launched

Access vehicle fleet boostfleet is essential in ensuring they can carry out their role of helping people live independently in their communities.

CEO Graeme Titcombe says “Our vehicles clock up a reasonably high mileage over a short time. To be able to replace many of them with these smart, economical vehicles, is a real bonus for us.”

Toyota New Zealand General Manager Steve Prangnell comments, “There are a lot of organisations doing great work in our Kiwi communities but often they don’t have the funding or

resources they need. We believe in trying to make a difference, so we are lending a hand by providing cars.”

Access, a non-profit organisation owned by Rural Women New Zealand, has been specialising in home-based care and helping people live independently in their communities since 1927.


National Conference speaker

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Leona Dargis, Nuffield Scholar, sponsored by Long Island

Our national conference dinner speaker, Leona Dargis, a visiting Canadian Nuffield Scholar, moved the audience to tears as she spoke about the moment she and her four sisters were told their parents would not be returning home to the family farm after a trip, as they had been involved in a plane crash.

But the legacy left by her parents was an awareness of the powerful combination of education and enthusiasm, which has helped the five sisters forge successful careers and lives. With zest and panache, Leona talked about her goals of moving the agricultural industry forward and living life to its fullest.

It was the challenge of dealing with her parents’ unplanned estate that helped her choose the topic for her Nuffield studies: “Successful Succession Planning and Diversification on the Family Farm, with a focus on the Next Generation”.

She visited family farms in parts of the world that were comparable to Canada, and one of those was New Zealand.

After many discussions with farming families, Leona concludes:

•Farmfamiliesneedtobe proactive towards the process of developing a successful succession plan.

•Communicationismandatory and this includes discussing what is in your Will with all parties involved.

•Developingabusinessplanincluding vision and goals will help clarify future direction of the business.

•Developingaretirementplan for the parenting generation includes discussing how and to whom the ownership and management responsibilities will transfer to meanwhile recognizing the financial support needed for the retirees.

•Learninghowtoworkcollaboratively will strengthen your relationships and legacy.

•Ifyouhaven’tdonesoalready,the time to begin the succession process is now. The first step is wanting to.

Leona’s report is online at http://leonadargis.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/leona-dargis-nuffield-report-2013.pdf.

New Zealand clothing company Long Island sponsored Leona as our dinner speaker, as well as using our national conference as the special occasion to announce the winner of its plus sized model search.

Long Island offers stylish designs created by New Zealand designers to fit and flatter ‘real’ women, and eighty percent of their clothing is manufactured here.

The winner of the Long Island model search was Hayley Stieller of Whitianga, who will feature in the Australian Woman’s Weekly.

Our publication Bulletin Aotearoa will be featured on the fundraising website PledgeMe for the next two months in a bid to raise $5,000 towards the production costs of our upcoming issues.

Look out for the Pledge Me launch on www.pledgeme.co.nz on 1 August 2013.

Check our Facebook page and website for more release information as the date

july 2013

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Opinion - Tenure ReviewIn the Open Forum section of national conference, South Island members Jocelyn McIlraith and Trish Small both expressed concern about land going into the conservation estate under the tenure review process, with loss of productivity not being properly analysed.

They have some support from an unlikely quarter - former Department of Conservation director general, Al Morrison - who suggested at a recent Federated Farmers High Country conference in Ashburton that freehold title should be given to the runholders.

Government makes little from the current leasehold system, and land managers typically have a greater interest in conservation if they own the land than if they don’t, he said.

Jocelyn agrees: “All New Zealanders would agree, conservation is important. But, so are export earnings. Many thousands of hectares are being shut off from light summer grazing by merino wethers which are part of the lucrative fine merino wool export market. Therefore, the question is, who is doing the analysis on the loss of productive resources when land, through tenure review , is ending up in the conservation estate?”

Al Morrison stressed his statements are not government or DoC policy, but his own thinking. The caveat if this happened, he said, was that farms should have a management plan which would look at the tops and work out if, when and where grazing would be appropriate for conservation. The plan, which he proposed would not be imposed, but worked out together, would also look at lowland conservation values, notably wetlands, public access requirements, preservation of heritage etc.

This would avoid the need for miles of new fences over extreme terrain to mark boundaries between newly freeholded land and conservation estate, or years of lawyers fees to reach a deal.

Do you think it’s time to re-think the tenure review process? Write to RWNZ, PO Box 12-021, Wellington or email [email protected]

Jocelyn McIlraith

Telecom Foundation Our sponsors are an important part of our national conference,

and their support ensures we have a high quality event each year. It is also an opportunity to hear from them in areas where our interests connect.

Telecom is a generous sponsor of our Enterprising Rural Women Awards, Bulletin Aotearoa and national conference.

Lynne Le Gros, Telecom Foundation’s General Manager, spoke about the ways the Foundation supports the generosity of Telecom staff through its payroll giving and volunteer programmes.

“We offer a universal payroll giving programme which includes charities, schools and community groups supported by our matching activity. Donations are matched up to $1,000 for all charities an employee donates to and up to $1,000 for school donations.

As well a volunteer day is made available to employees each year

which may be used for hands on activity (such as planting trees) or skills-based activities to support a school, charity or community group.

GIVEALITTLE

In November 2012 the Telecom Foundation purchased the online fundraising website Givealittle and relaunched it as a zero fees service for Kiwi causes, to encourage the generosity of all New Zealanders. In the short time the Telecom Foundation has owned Givealittle monthly donations have increased by 150% and the Foundation has ambitious plans to continue that growth.

http://fundraise.givealittle.co.nz/


Hearing loss is a big concern, especially in rural areas, which is why Rural Women NZ members were invited to attend a Dangerous Decibels training workshop to give them the tools to take the prevention message out to rural schools and community groups.

Dr John Wallaart, Programme Manager, Insurance and Prevention Services with ACC, says hearing loss is a major concern in the agricultural sector.

“It’s costing the industry something around $10 million a year in terms of compensation claims. It’s probably one of the top claims from the rural sector and covers all types of farming.”

The good news is hearing loss should be able to be managed.

“We did a lot of research a wee while ago and one of the recommendations is to talk to the children prior to entering the workforce.”

In the last year 30,000 New Zealand children have gone through the Dangerous Decibels programme, which is primarily aimed at 8-12 year olds - before they get to the secondary school age where it is very hard to influence them because they are more subject to peer pressure.

The programme originated in Oregon, USA, and has been shown internationally to change people’s behaviour.

Schools are keen to take up the programme, with more requests coming in than can be

Dangerous Decibels

Programme

16

Mary Dale-Taylor displays the safe sound limit

handled.

Which is where Rural Women NZ and other community groups come in. Last month Top of the North national councillor Mary Dale-Taylor, Fiona Gower, Kath Gillespie and Joan O’Keeffe were trained at the School of Population Health in Auckland to deliver the programme.

Kath Gillespie says, “It was very interesting and informative. We were all provided with a satchel containing excellent notes and two discs covering the course content and all the necessary tools and equipment to present the programme. We were shown exactly how the ear functions to allow us to hear including a demonstration of sound carrying airwaves using a tuning fork.

“The message that hearing loss is permanent and cannot be treated was emphasised and the need for personal responsibility in protecting our hearing is necessary.”Mary, Joan, Kath and Fiona are now certified as Dangerous Decibels Educators. Based in the Top of the North they are available to speak to branches and interest groups on request. The presentation takes about 30 minutes at the most and is very informative. They also hope to get in front of local

schools and Dr Wallaart says he thinks they will be very good at it.

“They are well respected by their local communities.”

The programme is presented as a fun session with colourful pipe cleaners and other props used in the demonstrations. “It’s not designed to be complex,” says Dr Wallaart.

Preventing hearing loss is absolutely in the interests of the rural community in general, he says. “It’s a major problem in terms of depression and isolation when people get a bit older. It’s one thing people can do easily to control that problem.”

DANGEROUS DECIBELS TRAINING AVAILABLE

Further free Dangerous Decibel training courses are being run in September in Auckland, and more are planned for other parts of the country next year.

To express interest in attending, contact Dr Wallaart on 027 220 7387 or email [email protected].

For more information go to:

www.dangerousdecibels.org


17

Inspirational

Kaurilands TrustNational Conference is a great place to meet interesting people!

Jackie Edkins our communications officer met Jeanne and Mike Mudford over lunch in the sunshine, and was totally inspired by the story they had to tell.

Jeanne is a member of Aoroa branch in Dargaville and she and husband Mike are co-founders of the Kaurilands Skills Centre Trust, a residential centre for adults with disabilities – with a difference!

“We were talking about the delicious food at conference, when Mike and Jeanne remarked how their clients also enjoy their food, especially when they go on holiday cruises or to Club Med!”

Full of fun and enthusiasm, Jeanne and Mike told Jackie about the very special place that is Kaurilands, started by the couple and two others in 1990, after care for people with disabilities was deregulated.

“We had no money, only dreams of having the very best place for adults with intellectual disabilities.”

Their vision was for Kaurilands to be a centre for learning land skills, and to provide a happy residential home.

Now the Trust runs a rurally-based programme for adults with intellectual disabilities, who prefer country life rather than a busy city.

To get to where they are now has taken much commitment, negotiating red tape as well as hands on day-to-day work. The first steps saw the couple going through the requirements to gain registration with the Ministry of

Health and for Ministry of Social Development funding.

They purchased 15 acres of undeveloped land where they built a six bedroom home where the clients could live. Later a second home was built and several units for residents who wanted more independence.

Paid employment and fun activities are all part of the weekly programme, with the aim of having each person achieve their personal goals and aspirations for a normal life.

Working opportunities were opened up when Kaurilands won the tender to collect the refuse in Ruawai. Mike believed this was work several of the young men could do well. The tender was accepted and the lads started picking up with a rented horse float behind a van! A year later Kaurilands won the tender for Dargaville town and soon after, with a lotteries grant, they purchased their first refuse truck. Now Kaurilands’ workers collect the refuse for the whole of the Kaipara area.

All the clients are encouraged and helped to get paid employment, including running a recycling operation from the refuse collected, helping to clean up the Kaipara in

the process.

It was a chance remark on the amount of fruit wasting on the ground or unpicked on trees that led to some of the women making jams and preserving fruit. Now they are kept busy for a few weeks in the season picking unwanted fruit, making new friends in the community and bringing back all sorts of goodies to preserve for Kaurilands’ pantries.

Clients enjoy a weekly water aerobics and swimming session and have a horse-riding

programme with ‘Henry the horse’. They visit Naumai Marae each week to learn cultural activities, including the haka and

stick games, which helps with co-ordination as well as being lots of fun. Other activities include netting fish, smoking eels, gardening and collecting shellfish. There is a weekly music session with drums and percussion, banging out the beats on congas and bongos.

The Trust now has two lovely houses ‘anyone would be happy to live in’, plus five units and 100 hectares of land – all freehold. “This has been a wonderful journey,” says Mike. “I always say, hold your banner high enough and people will rally to it.”

“I always say, hold your banner high enough and people will rally to it.”


Rural Women NZ has teamed up with IT company Need A Nerd, who are sponsoring a programme for members to help you gain confidence and get the most out of your computer and the internet.

We want to help those of you who don’t have a computer to take the plunge, and to up-skill those already connected.

The sponsor partnership will boost opportunities for learning through more in-depth IT Made Easy e-newsletters, the opportunity for in-person seminars with local Need a Nerd experts, and even webinars.

Look out for one to two IT Made Easy e-newsletters per month. If there’s a particular skill you’d like us to cover, contact Kiera in national office.

She can also schedule a free Need A Nerd seminar in your area.

Queen’s birthday honours

Call now to see just How simple things are with a nerd! www.needanerd.co.nz

0800 63 33 26

On-site nerd support

wireless networks

quality services

computer repairs

Computer sales

nz owned

Travel charges may apply

Email [email protected], or give her a call.

Visit www.ruralwomen.org.nz/itmadeeasy, to view the latest tipsheets.

Need A Nerd NZ delivers onsite technology sales, service and support to the small and

medium-size business market and residential.

It operates a mix of franchising and company owned branches throughout New Zealand.

For more information go to: www.needanerd.co.nz.

IT training for members with Need A Nerd

Congratulations to Te Puke-Rotoehu branch member Sue Matthews who was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to health in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Sue is a clinical nurse leader at Kaitiaki Nursing Services, where she leads a team of nurses who make sure those

who do not usually use health services have an opportunity to receive care.

Sue began studying for her first degree in 1996, as she wanted to be better qualified to support rural communities, including at national level. She gained a BN, BA(Edn) and M.Ed.

Living two hours from the nearest university on a 300 hectare drystock farm, multi tasking is vital!

“I am able to have the shearers’ food in the wool shed and be on a 6.45am flight to Wellington. When I worked in Wellington for two years I think I was one of the few women who was rung to see where I wanted my four tons of fertiliser stored!”

Sue has always worked in the community. “For me, working in the community is about making that difference. I guess my whole life is about equity and social justice. Rural people, they just don’t have the same opportunities.”

Sue Matthews is the Maketu ward councillor on the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, a role she has held for six years. In the forthcoming elections, she is standing for the BOP District Health Board.

“In the past six years, it appears that the Ministry of Health has changed its focus away from building hospitals to making a difference to improve health by early intervention. As this is where my passion and skills lie, I think it would be very exciting to be part of this.”


Laughter the best medicine

Provincial president Margaret Chapman says the 2013 seminar was no different, tackling a topic which is a concern for all who live rurally – ‘Mental Wellbeing’.

When the day of the seminar arrived, South Canterbury was experiencing floods and snow, but this didn’t deter 130 women who heard information and strategies on maintaining and improving their own, and others, mental health. The aim of the day was to give attendees a toolbox of information and different strategies to increase their resilience and ability to cope with the stresses encountered every day.

The guest speakers were Hugh Norriss, Director of Policy and Development Mental Health Foundation in Wellington and Hannah Airey from Lotus Health and Wellbeing, Christchurch.

Hugh said despite huge economic growth and standard of living increases since the 1950s, surveys show that New Zealanders are no happier. Some 500,000 prescriptions for anti-depressants were given out in 2012 and more than 20,000 New Zealanders were on sickness benefit for depression and anxiety.

Mental illness is not a character flaw or weakness, not something someone could snap out of and did not define a person. It was usually temporary and treatable. The best way to help someone with a mental health issue was to listen openly and encourage them to seek professional help, he said. Research has shown that mental wellbeing can be increased and the Mental Health Foundation promoted ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ – connect, give, take notice keep learning and be active.

Connecting involves building positive relationships. “Don’t think less of yourself, just think of yourself less.”

Take notice – remember things that give you joy and focus on the positive rather than being weighed down with all the negative information.

Keep learning – rekindle the natural curiosity everyone had as children.

Giving could as simple as small acts of kindness. You don’t have to save the world. If you want to feel good – do good. Keep a journal and at the end of the day write down three good things that happened during the day.

Be active - start small but get out and do something every day.

“Wellbeing is more of a journey than a destination.”Hannah Airey’s afternoon session focused on laughter being the best medicine. Hannah, who is an Associate of the Mental Health Foundation, showed how laughter, genuine or faked, gives great health benefits.

Laughter is the body’s natural antibody to stress. When someone is stressed they shallow breath into

the chest, when they laugh they deep breath into their diaphragm. When you laugh deep breaths are taken in and this flooded the brain and body with oxygen, increasing circulation and relaxing muscles. Laughter stimulated the immune system and the internal organs were massaged as the newly oxygenated blood surged through them. This has been called internal jogging.

After explaining the theory behind laughter as an antidote for depression the attendees all took part in an impromptu class in laughter yoga, pictured above.

2013 was the 16th year South Canterbury Provincial has organised and run the Fairlie Mid-Winter seminar. These seminars have gained a reputation for tackling topical issues relevant to rural communities and of bringing in the best speakers to discuss and debate them.

5 WAYS TO WELLBEING Connect . Give . Take notice . Keep learning . Be activeHeke tipu oranga, he taonga tuku iho, ka pakanga ake, aue te aiotanga, te manawanui

CONNECT

BE ACTIVEGIVEKEEP learningTAKE NOTICEREMEMBER THE SIMPLE THINGS THAT GIVE YOU JOY

TALK&LISTEN, BETHERE, FEELCONNECTED

DO WHAT YOU CAN, ENJOY WHAT YOU DO, MOVE YOUR MOOD

YOUR TIME, YOUR WORDS, YOUR PRESENCE

Embrace new experiences, see opportunities, surprise yourself


Water forum challenges

New Zealanders need to decide whether the current model of intensified farming and more irrigation is the appropriate one. That was the message from Green Party MP Eugenie Sage who was one of four speakers at our Water Forum held on the opening day of our national conference in Christchurch.

Around 50 people attended the forum, where Canterbury University senior lecturer Dr Travis Horton said people needed to be challenged to confront water issues with open, informed and respectful discussion.

Dr Horton talked about research into water issues on the Waimakariri River and central Canterbury plains, comparing it to research on the Colorado River in the United States, which has issues around over-allocation and nitrate levels, similar to Canterbury’s rivers. A University of California report last year concluded the nitrate levels in the Colorado River and in groundwater were “beyond the point where they could be fixed”.

Yet data sourced from Environment Canterbury suggested nitrate levels in the Canterbury plains were worse than the Colorado, “so what does this mean for us?” Dr Horton asked.

Dr Horton highlighted the tension between economic value systems, and environmental value systems. But he said it wasn’t about attacking farmers and it didn’t just affect farming.

“We need farming and farmers need to use fertiliser if the world is going to feed seven or 10 billion people in the future. But we need to discuss how we are going to manage it.”

Other panelists were Environment Canterbury water and land programme director Christina Robb, Canterbury University Professor Jenny Webster Brown and Federated Farmers grain and seed chairman Ian Mackenzie.

While they all agreed on the desired outcome, they differed on how to achieve it. Mr Mackenzie favoured good management practice, rather than introducing regulations and limits on farmers. Ms Sage favoured a collaborative approach, unconvinced good management practice would be effective without regulations supported by economic incentives. Ms Robb said ECan compliance and rules had been ‘complaints driven’ but staff were working on shifting the culture to identifying needs.

Local elections important for rural

Rural Women NZ members are being encouraged to stand for local government and District Health Boards in the local body elections being held in September.

To give an idea of what’s involved, we ran a workshop at our national conference, with

presenters Geoff Evans, who is a Marlborough District Councillor, and John Ayling, a seasoned health professional, and current chair of Access Homehealth Ltd.

John and Geoff gave detailed information on what is necessary to work in these environments and the very important need to have rural representation. “There is a huge cost to rural if it is not adequately

represented,” they said.

Geoff said it was important to encourage local people to stand

if you feel they have the necessary capabilities. If they are elected, he also urged ongoing support.

We also hope Rural Women NZ groups

will hold ‘meet the candidates’ evenings, which are an opportunity to ask the hard questions and find out how candidates respond to rural concerns.

“There is a huge cost to rural if it is not adequate-ly represented”

rural women outlook july 2013

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