Victorian Rural Women Set Their Sights On Spain!Twelve Victorian women will need to start brushing up on their Spanish By The Victorian Minister for Agriculture - 1st August 2002 - Back to News Twelve Victorian women will need to start brushing up on their Spanish said the Minister for Agriculture, Keith Hamilton today as he announced the winners of the Rural Women’s Travel Bursaries and Leadership Bursaries.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) is providing ten women with $2,000 to attend and participate in the Third World Congress on Rural Women in Madrid on 2-4 October 2002.
"Heading to Spain for this International Congress will provide a unique opportunity for these rural women to display the diverse and vital roles they play in agriculture, resource management and community development in Victoria," Mr Hamilton said.
There are also two fully funded places for Victorian Indigenous rural women to also attend the Congress.
"By providing the travel and leadership bursaries, the Bracks Government is ensuring rural women are being given an outstanding opportunity to increase their skills and develop networks that will help them in sustaining their rural communities," Mr Hamilton said.
The winners cover the areas of Yarra Valley, Maffra, Ararat, Gapsted, Chiltern, Caniambo, Benalla, Bendigo, Boort, Timboon, Barmah, East Heywood and Pernim.
The range of skills include wine making, natural resource management, walnut, wool and livestock farming, farm forestry, hydrology, hay and deer exporting, indigenous seed production and indigenous land management.
Victorian women initiated the inaugural International Women in Agriculture Conference, held in Melbourne in 1994. The second was held in Washington DC in 1998.
"The value of the attendance of Australian women at the two preceding International Women in Agriculture Conferences has been demonstrated by the influential roles attendees have since taken in community and industry leadership and decision-making," Mr Hamilton said.
Mr Hamilton said NRE also planned to assist Victorian rural women by providing appropriate regionally delivered support and training.
"By developing the skills and confidence of Victorian rural women before they go to Spain, we will then ensure they come home with even more to offer their own community, industry and Victoria," Mr Hamilton said.
Regional training will include basic Spanish language skills, media skills, networking at a global level, promoting an industry and international diplomacy.
This year, the 20 leadership bursary recipients cover the entire state including Berrybank, Nungurner, Natimuk, Queenscliff, Mirboo North, Lima East, Toolangi, Benalla, Ararat, South Gisborne, Bendigo, Morwell, Strathmerton, Mildura, Dhurringile and Horsham.
Mr Hamilton said the winners cover a range of careers including veterinarian, farm and environmental work, board and committee members, women’s support groups, a technical support group, education and public relations.
The twenty recipients will receive $2,000 to undertake courses in leadership and development training.
"The money will cover the cost of attendance at a selected development course and associated expenses such as travel, child care, and where necessary, the cost of farm or small business relief labour," Mr Hamilton said.
The Rural Women’s Leadership Bursary Program is a joint initiative proudly supported by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) through the Rural Women’s Network and the Department of Premier and Cabinet through the office of Women’s Policy.
Local Winners:
Erlina Compton – Maffra
Erlina is the landcare Coordinator for the Maffra and Districts Landcare Network and her aim is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable natural resource management in her region. Previously she has been involved in weed and nutrient control programs both in Victoria and Western Australia. Her current focus is working with landholders who are predominantly dairy, beef and sheep farmers. Erlina advises them on revegetation, soil erosion, weed and rabbit control. As part of her degree course in natural resource management she became involved with Landcare and was the secretary for the North Swan Land Conservation District Committee.
Carole Crowe - Mirboo North
Carole is the Young Landcare Coordinator of the Yarram Yarram Catchments Network. She is also a facilitator for the NRE Dairy Effluent Program as part of the Action Learning Groups for farmers. Her previous roles included those of office manager, family support and community development worker. Community involvement includes active participation on the Mirboo North Landcare Group, Friends of Baths Road Reserve, Mirboo North Community Association and the South Gippsland Conservation Society. Her various functions on these committees have included organising community events and facilitating community involvement and ownership of various projects.
Marilyn Marino – Morwell
Marilyn has a Masters of Business Administration from Deakin University and is currently employed as the Rural Leadership Officer in the Community Planning and Development Unit at Latrobe City Council. Previously she worked in her own retail business and as the Area Sale Manager of Target in Morwell. Marilyn is currently a member on the ALP’s Morwell branch, of EMILY’s List and the Morwell Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Advance Morwell. Previously she has been an active member of retail/business focussed committees and local social clubs.
Tracey Matthies – Morwell
Tracey along with her husband are the owner/operators of the Morwell Southside Motel. She also has her own business (TGM promotions) that provides professional copywriting and business PR consulting. Prior to this Tracey was a journalist working for various rural papers and ABC regional radio. Her current community involvement is with the Victorian Government Small Business Advisory Council, Commercial Road Primary School Committee and Morwell Rostrum Club amongst others. Recently Tracey received an award for her contribution to the Tourism Industry from the Phillip Island and Gippsland Discovery Regional Tourism Awards. She is also a founding member of the Morwell Motel Group.
Ann McInroy - Mirboo North
Ann has been a dairy farmer for the last 10 years with associated interest in beef, sheep, horse, pig and poultry enterprises while also working part time in a variety of roles within the local community. Prior to this she worked as a computer programmer for ANZ bank and as a self employed contractor before making a "seachange". Her current community involvement includes a role as secretary of Farmnet, a volunteer driver for the South Gippsland Shire Council and as the assistant treasurer to the Stony Creek Racing Club Committee to name a few. Past involvement has included sporting and agricultural committees in her local community.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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