RRR.Network News.42.summer 2007

summer:07
A recipe to success
Edition 42
Hospitality course unites sisters
A l s o in t hi s i s su e
Adapting to change
In greener pastures
Necessity instigates business success
Continuing their crusade
Keeping a community informed
An insight into South Africa
ISSN 1445-7210
In si d e t hi s i s su e
From the Chair................................2
Keeping a community informed...3
Leaders among us...........................4
An insight into South Africa.......5
Across my desk................................6
Items of interest.............................6
Growing country women..............7
Adapting to change.................... 8-9
a recipe to success . .................... 10
In greener pastures ................... 11
Women in Rural Leadership –
an update........................................ 11
Enlightening conference
connects rural women . ............12
Inspiration from Katanning
to New York....................................13
Necessity instigates
business success........................... 14
Western Australian woman
wins national award ................... 14
Turning hardships into
accomplishments ......................... 15
Making a difference in
Wandering....................................... 16
Careering ahead............................ 17
Resources....................................... 17
Celebrating women
in Wongan....................................... 18
Writing.............................................19
Breastfeeding in
Bangladesh.....................................20
Continuing their crusade ......... 21
Making fashion
a natural art............................22-23
WiRL participants and program organisers, front from left: Deggi Altangerel
and Rosa Lincoln (RRR Network Chair). Back, from left: Dr Fay Rola–Rubzen
(Australian Women on Farms coordinator), Charlotte Della Vedova, Michelle
Fowler, Claire Mitchell, Wendy Newman (RRR Network), Kath Menck (RRR
Network), Natalie Bowman and Sharon Barber. Photograph by Josie Landers.
From the Chair
May I express my appreciation to RRR Reference Group members Donna
Fahie, Millie Ferguson, Prue Jenkins, Kath Menck, Wendy Newman and Eliza
Thomas whose two-year terms will end in December 2007. These women
have willingly raised rural issues for discussion and action, profiled RRR at
local events and shared the achievements of regional women.
Christine Thompson has been the Executive Officer for RRR for the past
five years and has been appointed to a Senior Policy Officer position at the
Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia. I congratulate Christine
and thank her for the sustained and dedicated contribution to RRR. May I also
welcome Kerry Regan who has commenced as the new Executive Officer.
I will soon complete my time as Chair and I have been appointed to Curtin
University as a lecturer with the education faculty. I will start this role next
year and will continue with my ongoing PhD studies, which are about
pathways for leadership for rural women.
On page 11 of this edition of the Network News, I have written an article on
the Women in Rural Leadership (WiRL) program, which you may be interested
in being a part of in 2008.
I trust that you will enjoy reading this summer edition of the Network News.
Wishing you an enjoyable and safe Christmas and festive season with your
families and friends.
Yours in RRR,
COVER PHOTO: From left: Lera
Bennell, Flo Morrison, Rhona
Wallam and Dawn Alone. Absent:
Violet Pickett. Photograph by
Gary Peters and courtesy of
Challenger TAFE.
Rosa
Rosa Lincoln, Chair
Network News summer 07
h ea lt h & t h e E n v i r o nm e n t
esper ance
Keeping a
community informed
By Michelle Crisp
If I were to describe myself I would say that I am a
devoted mother of two gorgeous girls, wife of a tolerant
and supportive man, part-time pharmacist, community
volunteer and, most recently, an environmental campaigner.
Although I have always had a love
for the environment, I would never
have labelled myself a campaigner.
This label has found me. If someone
had told me a year ago this is where
I would be now, I wouldn’t have
believed them.
My journey began when I found
16 dead native birds in our garden
late last year. I have always loved
our frequent visitors to the garden
and found this distressing.
I was surprised by the lack of
interest shown by decision-makers
in what was causing the bird deaths.
Perseverance eventually uncovered
that dust escaping from the export
of lead had killed these birds, and
an estimated 9,500 others, and
had resulted in elevated blood lead
levels in many Esperance residents,
including young children. Further,
there was lead contamination of
several rainwater tanks.
Michelle Crisp
with her
daughters Jessica
and Samantha
in Esperance.
We aim to maintain good
relationships with government
officials and base our decisions
on facts, in the hope of remaining
credible and achieving positive
outcomes for the community.
Our main accomplishments
to date have been to increase
awareness within the community
of the health impacts of the lead
contamination issue and to work
with government officials to ensure
that the community’s concerns are
addressed. We are now working with
authorities to deliver a solution which
should guarantee zero nickel dust in
our community.
As this was an important health
and environmental concern, a small
group of concerned residents came
together to organise a public meeting
to inform the community on the
issues surrounding the lead incident.
From this meeting our environmental
group, Locals for Esperance
Development (LED), was formed,
of which I am the vice-chair.
There are eight LED committee
members – four women and
four men and there are 300
financial members.
Our group aims to keep the
community informed and protected
on all related issues.
I have had plenty of support from
family, friends and locals. It definitely
helps when you know people are
appreciative of your work.
My volunteer work with LED is
time-consuming, but often
rewarding. I am pleased to be
assisting in making Esperance a
healthier place to live for my family
and the community.
Network News summer 07
“You get out of life
what you put into it.”
Volunteering is a big part of my
life. I love being involved and
enjoy the sense of belonging I get
from that. Through volunteering,
I have developed new skills, selfconfidence and friendships with
people I may not normally have
associated with.
My latest volunteering project is to
coordinate the Kids Fun Day Out for
the second time.
Our first event in 2006 was a huge
success attracting 2,500 people.
The day aims to provide low
cost, stimulating activities for the
children of the Esperance region.
I am fortunate to have a group of
enthusiastic people to assist with
the organisation.
Motivation is rarely an issue for
me. I have a deep passion for the
causes I take on and I try and
live by the motto, “you get out of
life what you put into it”. It is also
important, however, that the cause
isn’t all-consuming and I try and
make time for myself and my family.
l ea d e r ship
Broome a nd Brook t on
Leaders among us
By Anna Butcher
Anna Butcher, of Brookton, was chosen as one of only 12 Australian
women (and 22 men) to participate in Course 13 of the Australian Rural
Leadership Program (ARLP). The program aims to develop effective
leadership and assist in building a sustainable future for rural, remote and
regional Australian communities.
With her husband Colin, Anna runs
a mixed farm at Brookton producing
grain, export hay and prime lambs.
There were only eight WA
participants in Course 13 of the
leadership program – Anna and
Broome’s Leah Dolby were the only
WA rural women involved.
According to Anna, the course
(which she has now completed)
provided a diverse range of
opportunities to develop skills
and experience in a safe learning
environment.
“The Australian Rural Leadership
Program runs for 18 months and
requires a part-time commitment
of 60 days. Course 13 commenced
with a fortnight in the Kimberley
region in May last year and
concluded with graduation in
Canberra in November this year.”
self-awareness and team building…to
media training and a public speaking
course in Adelaide,” said Anna.
“…people need to speak
out for what is ethical
and right and not just
remain silent.”
“In Melbourne the content was
about community-based initiatives,
corporate governance, economics
and industry visits and insights.
In Sydney we covered ethics,
globalisation and first-hand views of
social justice issues in Kings Cross.”
There were seven sessions held
throughout Australia and an
overseas study tour of South Africa.
“The Queensland focus was the
study of organisational change and
mental health issues, including
medical facilities and health issues
in rural Australia. This included a
visit to the Cherbourg Aboriginal
community and a first-hand look at
the challenges the community faced
and the progress they had made.”
“The experiences ranged from the
beauty and rugged landscape of the
Kimberley with the development of
“The course…continually
removes participants from their
comfort zones.”
“I am far more confident and willing
to stick my neck out…people need
to speak out for what is ethical and
right and not just remain silent.”
Leah Dolby (centre) in Melbourne
for the ARLP course.
Anna Butcher cutting hay on her
Brookton property.
as ‘interesting, an eye-opener,
challenging and exciting’.
She agreed that the course
removed participants from their
comfort zones.
“Sometimes we need to get out of
our comfort zones.”
The rural and remote health session in
Brisbane had a profound effect on her.
“We were looking at how
indigenous issues are dealt with,
particularly health.”
Attracting and retaining medical staff
in remote centres remains a concern.
“It is hard to get enough doctors
and nurses out to remote areas.”
“Aboriginal people also have a
(high incidence) of diabetes and a
lot of children have ear problems.”
After completing the course,
participants gain access to an
extensive graduate network.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to
develop leadership skills and networks
to help me make a difference to the
industry I work in and the community
in which I live,” Anna added.
Broome’s Leah Dolby, was the
first indigenous woman from the
Kimberley to apply for the course.
Anna was sponsored by the
Grains Research and Development
Corporation and Leah was
sponsored by the Department of
Local Government and Regional
Development and the Kimberley
Development Commission.
Leah, who currently works
for the Department of Child
Protection, described the program
If you wish to apply or to find out
further information about the ARLP
visit www.rural-leaders.com.au
Network News summer 07
l ea d e r ship
Brookton
An insight into South Africa
By Anna Butcher
Anna Butcher was given the opportunity to visit
South Africa, as part of the ARLP Course 13 earlier
this year. She tells us about her two-week study tour.
South Africa is a country of
immense contrasts, challenges and
opportunities. From a first world
country and economy to a third
world country and a subsistence
economy often within a short
distance of each other.
The visit was an eye-opener for
my fellow participants and I.
Our trip to South Africa was the
chance to learn about another country
and to gain a privileged insight into
the lives of its residents and their
history and to meet incredible people
who are proud, resilient and full of
hope for the future.
To learn about apartheid and the
reasons behind apartheid, how the
system worked and then finally how
it was undone by the power of the
people, was inspiring. It began with
the Soweto student uprising of
16 June 1976, when students
decided to no longer accept the status
quo when the Afrikaans language was
forced upon them in schools.
Women washing their clothes in Soweto,
South Africa. Soweto (South Western Townships)
is a poor urban area in Johannesburg.
We visited schools where the
education of young people is seen as
the future of their nation. Many of the
adult population are poorly educated,
have limited skills and many never
had the opportunity to go to school.
We learned about overseas and
free trade, the principles and
workings of economic empowerment
and visited the Australian High
Commission in Pretoria.
Our group toured the 2003 Grain
Grower of the Year’s operations near
Delmas, which has a cattle feedlot
and looked at their farm practices in
the processing of grain and beef.
A visit to the Johannesburg Stock
Exchange had direct relevance
to me as a grain grower. With the
deregulation of their agricultural
industries in 1994, local producers
took advantage of the opportunities
created. Growers communicated
with and produced goods
consumers wanted and economic
benefits accrued as a result of a
change in behaviour.
The magnitude of HIV/AIDS was
frightening for me. The number of
children and young adults who are
infected poses huge challenges
for their society and economy.
The personal cost of a short life
expectancy and the financial cost to
families of losing the breadwinners,
Network News summer 07
Anna Butcher visited an abattoir
in Botswana as part of the
overseas study tour.
and the implications to the economy
of reduced productivity, are immense.
On the other hand, it is amazing
what has been achieved by strong
leadership and the example set
by former South African President
Nelson Mandela and the people
who worked with him. The focus
on acceptance and forgiveness;
the incredible optimism and hope
derived from an inner strength from
people who live in poor conditions,
was a powerful learning experience.
Despite the problems, one must
admire the tenacity of these people
who will soldier on with or without
assistance in the hope of a better life
for themselves and their children.
It certainly puts the world into
perspective and makes us grateful
for our circumstances in Australia.
“One must admire the
tenacity of these people
who will soldier on with
or without assistance in
the hope of a better life
for themselves and
their children.”
Across my desk
RRR Network News
Network News is published quarterly by the
RRR Network to share stories and photographs
from and about women living in rural, remote
and regional Western Australia.
The RRR Network was established in 1996
to bring together women in rural, remote and
regional Western Australia to recognise, promote
and expand on the contribution they make
to their communities. The Network is a joint
project of the State Government’s Department of
Agriculture and Food and Department of Local
Government and Regional Development.
Circulation for this edition is 8,500. The
magazine is distributed free to regional
subscribers throughout Western Australia and
organisations in Australia and overseas.
Editorial material in RRR Network News is
copyright and may not be reproduced without
permission from the Editor. Views expressed in
Network News are not necessarily those of the
RRR Network.
DISCLAIMER: Inclusion of an advertisement
or sponsor’s symbol in the RRR Network
publications does not imply endorsement of
the product or sponsor by the RRR Network
and the Department of Agriculture and Food
and the Department of Local Government and
Regional Development.
RRR EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Kerry Regan
PROJECT OFFICER/EDITOR
Samantha Scott
RRR NETWORK OFFICE
RRR Network News
Tel (08) 9368 3182
Fax (08) 9368 4265
Email: [email protected]
Mob: 0429 370 960
Internet – www.rrr.wa.gov.au
REGIONAL EDITORIAL COMMITEE
Rosa Lincoln, Sally Rayner and Kath Menck
RURAL, REMOTE AND REGIONAL WOMEN’S
NETWORK REFERENCE GROUP
Rosa Lincoln (Chair) – Wendy Newman
Gemma Rafferty – Donna Fahie – Kath Menck –
Prue Jenkins – Millie Ferguson – Eliza Thomas –
Nicol Taylor – Julie Walker – Ros Hegarty –
Kay Gerard – Kathie Meldrum – Sally Rayner
GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Fiona Colbeck
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
Bruce Thorpe
DESIGN
Linkletters
Across my desk
The summer edition of the RRR
Network News marks changes for
the RRR Network. Kerry Regan has
been appointed to the position of
Executive Officer and will be editing
future editions of the magazine.
Kerry takes over from Christine
Thompson who has been appointed
Kerry Regan
Samantha scott
as a Senior Grains Policy Officer at
the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia. The RRR Network
would like to thank Christine for her professionalism during the past five years
and to welcome Kerry to her new role.
Samantha Scott, who has been employed as a Project Officer for the Network
News on a short-term contract, has edited the past two editions of the
magazine. Regrettably, she will be leaving us after Christmas.
We would like to thank our RRR readers for their ongoing contributions to
the summer edition of the Network News. Edition 42 continues with articles
focusing on fly-in fly-out employment and leadership, and introduces themes
such as innovation and empowering women.
Please continue to contact us with your story ideas. You may wish to visit our
website www.rrr.wa.gov.au and search our magazine archives to ascertain the
types of articles we are looking for.
Wishing you a peaceful and safe Christmas with your loved ones and a
prosperous New Year.
Kerry Regan
RRR Network
Executive Officer
Samantha Scott
RRR Network News
Project Officer/Editor edition 42
Items of interest
Remember to recycle
Lotterywest grants
If you are looking for information
about recycling in your area, visit
the Planet Ark and Sensis ‘Recycling
Near You’ website. Search for local
recycling information either by
Council or by product. The website
motto is “Don’t dump it, recycle it”.
Lotterywest grants provide financial
support, in the form of grants, to notfor-profit, community-based groups
to enhance the lives of WA residents.
Lotterywest grants support people
with special needs or disabilities,
disadvantaged people and initiatives
that improve quality of life.
Visit www.recyclingnearyou.com.au
for further information.
Click on www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au
for information about specific
grants and eligibility criteria.
PRINTING
Quality Press
Dry season assistance
NEXT EDITION
Deadline for copy for the summer edition of RRR
Network News is 31 January 2008. The next
edition is due in March.
The 2007 Dry Season Assistance Scheme is part of a $9.34 million package
announced by the State Government in August, and amended in October to
include additional shires.
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
See subscription form on the back page or
contact the RRR Network office.
ISSN 1445-7210
For more information about grants, assistance lines, counselling services
and local contacts visit www.agric.wa.gov.au or call 1800 198 231 (toll free).
Network News summer 07
l ea d e r ship
Growing country women
By Wendy Harris and Rose Crane
A group of young, rural WA women are the first to graduate from a new
initiative, which has taught them various skills that will benefit them and
their communities for years to come.
We set about employing a coordinator,
Sue McCreery of Kalannie, to run this
program and then to get participants
and mentors on board. About 80
people participated.
Given that the Wheatbelt region
covers an area of 155,000sq km,
the task was challenging.
Due to distances we had four
‘live-in’ workshops providing great
networking opportunities.
Three of the workshop weekends
were held in Toodyay and the fourth
was held at the Muresk Institute
in Northam.
Part of the pilot program
requirement was for the young
women to plan and host a gala
function and to produce a Year
Book which looked at their journey
and that of their mentors.
Women, dressed in their finery,
graced the shed with glamour.
During the inspiring afternoon, there
was much that reflected all that is
good and true about country life.
A sense of optimism and confidence
peppered the atmosphere.
The success stories that have
arisen as a result of this program
are incredible. Gracious young
women were reflecting on their own
growth throughout the program.
For us ‘oldies’, the mentors, we felt
a sense of pride
and gratitude that
we had been part
of such a valuable
initiative.
A special thanks
was reserved
for coordinator
Sue McCreery
who keep us
together for the 10-month
program.
We hope Sue
understands she
has grown a great
‘Wheatbelt garden’
ready to bloom
across the farreaching hectares
we call home.
Mentor
Suzanne Wilson,
of Dalwallinu,
with mentee
Sally Thomson,
of Wagin.
Women attended a training workshop
at the Muresk Institute, Northam.
The pilot was funded through
the Office for Women via the
Department of Families, Housing,
Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs.
We hope this successful initiative
will become an annually funded
program.
For further details email
[email protected]
grass roots
funding for
projects in
your community
HE
AT B E
L
T
Participants, who were aged
between 18 and 35 and from rural
areas, were involved in training
sessions which provided them with
further skills in time management,
personal development, leadership
and governance, nutrition and
image, goal setting and more.
Their graduation and a gala luncheon
was recently held at the Cambinata
Yabbies shearing shed in Kukerin.
W
This year, the Wheatbelt Area
Consultative Committee was
fortunate to have the opportunity to
host the pilot program, known as
the Young Women’s Leadership and
Mentoring Program (YWLMP).
If you have a project that will benefit your
Wheatbelt community, but need funding to
get it off the ground, the Regional Partnerships
Programme may be for you, contact us...
www.wheatbeltacc.com.au
Telephone: (08) 9575 1888
Email: [email protected]
The Wheatbelt ACC is part of the:
Network News summer 07
f ly- in f ly- o u t
tom price
Adapting to change
A fly-in fly-out lifestyle
By Helen Sheridan
More women are employed in
WA’s mines than ever before.
Helen Sheridan, of Geraldton, is
a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) mother who
works at a remote Pilbara Iron Rail
camp called Ti Tree. Helen speaks
about her experiences.
Ti Tree is an isolated camp – both
Tom Price and Karratha are an hour
and a half away. The train track,
hills in the distance, spinifex and red
dirt is all you can see for kilometres.
Ti Tree Camp is only small,
accommodating up to 48 people.
The camp has five staff on site at
all times – a manager, assistant
manager, head chef, breakfast
chef, utility/bar and maintenance/
electrician. Everyone, except the
electrician, works two-weeks on and
one-week off. My position is split
into two shifts: cleaning the rooms
in the mornings and operating the
bar at night, which is my social life.
The camp mainly accommodates
men maintaining the rail track to
keep the line free of faults. If a
derailment occurred, it could cost
millions of dollars in loss of ore and
other damages.
Working with the big equipment
on a WA mine.
Employees on the job at a WA mine. Photographs courtesy of Rio Tinto Iron Ore.
The camp is located about
500 metres from the railway line.
The trains run every half hour,
24 hours a day. The rail track
transports iron ore from six different
mine sites – Yandi, Brockman, Tom
Price, West Angelas, Manandoo and
Paraburdoo, travelling to Dampier
where the ore is unloaded for
export. The other track carries the
empty carriages back to collect
more ore.
I never tire of looking at the trains
rolling by with the Pilbara landscape
in the background. Some people
can’t sleep at night because of them
but I welcome the noise.
When I leave camp after my time
on, we drive on unsealed gravel
roads for an hour and a half to
reach Tom Price. We then travel
another 79 kilometres to Paraburdoo
Airport to catch the flight to Perth.
The plane trip is one hour and
forty minutes.
Because of the road surfaces we
often get flat tyres, making it also
difficult to receive supplies.
Network News summer 07
I live in Geraldton, so after I arrive at
Perth Airport I must then drive five
hours home.
On the return journey, I have to
leave Geraldton the day before I
am due back at work. Living in
Geraldton, the travel takes up a day
either end of my time off.
I have two teenage children, Cody
and Kim, living at home. One has
an apprenticeship and the other
is working full-time. Both are selfsufficient, which helps me feel at
ease when I leave.
They cope well without their mother
supervising. Instead of the children
leaving home – I did! At the time it
was a big challenge for me to leave
my comfort zone and work away
but I accepted this challenge to
experience life after years of being a
mother and raising five children.
Although the lifestyle was not right
for my now ex-husband who used to
be employed in FIFO, it is working
for me. I had been employed for
eight years in Geraldton and I wanted
more from life and a lifestyle change.
f ly- in f ly- o u t
fly-in fly-out Mine workers about to land. Photograph courtesy of Rio Tinto Iron Ore.
The camp doesn’t have mobile
reception so my children can’t ring
me directly. I phone home when
I can and enjoy catching up with
them during my time off.
My absence has made them
responsible and independent – both
children play sport and lead busy
social lives. They have also learnt
how to run a household, pay bills
and allocate tasks around the
house. Both are typical teenagers
but surprisingly the house is kept
quite clean.
I spoke to my daughter Cody about
any hardships she faced with me
working away. She said she ‘went
with the flow’ and the only challenge
she had to face was that I wasn’t
around to teach her to drive. My son
Kim said he loved being in the house
alone, but had to face the challenge
of making his own lunches.
I don’t know of any other women
in Geraldton who work away.
I don’t have any family in town but
I do have friends and the children’s
friends’ parents assist if the need
arises. My friends thought I was
brave to do what I did. Some would
like to go in the same direction but
are hesitant to make the change.
a career change now. Age is no
barrier as you have people in their
early 20s to people in their 50s
making the career change to FIFO.
Often it is to make more money
or because they are bored in their
job. Their home could be anywhere
from Busselton, Albany or over
east. We had a relief chef from
New Zealand and our present relief
breakfast chef is from Sydney.
I enjoy my lifestyle and I don’t even
have to cook or wash dishes!
Our temperatures get hot and
humid – some days can reach over
50 degrees C.
The camp facilities offer a sparkling
swimming pool, tennis/basketball
court, cricket pitch, a well-equipped
gym, conference room, recreation
room and clean accommodation.
The staff are friendly and we are like
a big family. This is their home away
from home.
The Network News is continuing its
FIFO theme. If your family is involved
in this lifestyle, visit our online forum at
www.rrr.wa.gov.au to have your say.
I have met men who have worked
away from home for 30 years and
men who are just embarking on
Helen at Ti Tree camp
Network News summer 07
Helen Sheridan
Doctoral candidate in Clinical
Psychology at Curtin University,
Greer Bradbury, is studying the
psychological and social impacts
of the intermittent absence of
one parent for children in FIFO
families. The results are due in
2009. Interested participants
should call Greer on 9266 2561.
c o v e r s t o ry
boddington
A recipe to success
By Mark Gale
Photographs by Gary Peters.
Article and photographs courtesy of Challenger TAFE.
Strong family ties have lead five indigenous sisters back to their roots and
into new endeavours as they unite in a common culinary purpose.
Despite a variety of backgrounds,
including combined experience
in publishing, law enforcement
and education, the women
have teamed up to complete a
Certificate I in Hospitality (Kitchen
Operations) through Challenger
TAFE’s Peel campus.
With Lera Bennell, Rhona Wallam
and Dawn Alone living in the Bunbury
region, and Flo Morrison and Violet
Pickett residing in Armadale and
Balga respectively, distance proved no
obstacle in pursuing their goals.
In addition to nine hours a week
theory training online at the
Boddington Old School, they
gained practical experience working
Fridays at the Boddington Gold
Mine kitchen as part of an ongoing
partnership between Challenger
TAFE and Universal Sodexho,
catering contractors at the site.
For the eldest sister, Lera, who apart
from publishing a national indigenous
magazine has also worked as a
police officer, the chance to spend
time in the region where their family
once lived was what initially attracted
her to the course.
“We lived here as kids and our
father played in a premiershipwinning footy side here, so it’s good
to come back to a place that has a
bit of history for us,” she said.
Dawn was equally inspired about
returning to Boddington to further
her skills.
“We’re local girls grown up and
we’ve come back to a place we
once called home,” she said.
Flo and Rhona both have
backgrounds with the Department
of Education and Training and see
the course as a chance to move in
a new direction, hoping to gain fulltime employment at the mine.
“I was looking for something
different after working in education,
and this training is great because
it provides the opportunity to gain
experience in a proper working
kitchen,” Flo said.
Lera is open to whatever
opportunities the future holds, but is
considering the possibility of going
into business for herself.
“A lot of the students are looking to
full-time employment at the mine,
but I’m thinking about starting my
own business,” she said.
Challenger TAFE hospitality lecturer
Lee Legowski said the highlight of
his week was coming to Boddington
to instruct the sisters.
“They are absolutely wonderful, so
close knit and a pleasure to deal
with. I look forward to Fridays.”
The sisters with their class and instructors.
10
Network News summer 07
Flo Morrison learns
about food preparation.
“It’s a fantastic interchange;
I’m teaching them the basics of
kitchen operations and they’re
teaching me the basics of Noongar
culture,” he said.
The sisters were equally impressed
with the quality of instruction they
received from Lee and course
coordinator Lesley Sharp.
“When you have a good lecturer
who is also a good person it
makes it so much easier,” said Flo,
speaking of Lee.
“Lesley’s great too, definitely one
of the best I’ve come across. She
has fantastic communication skills
and a great sense of humour to
really connect with her students,”
added Lera.
Lesley was confident that the sisters’
various ambitions were well within
reach given the quality of training
they received.
“This is Sodexho’s largest kitchen
in the southern hemisphere, and
I consider it the best work-ready
place in the world, ideal to deliver a
hands-on course.”
“When you combine this with the
enthusiasm and spirit of these
sisters, I think you have a recipe
for success.”
For more information on courses in
Boddington email
[email protected].
f u r t h e r e d u c at i o n
b o ya n u p
In greener
pastures
By Neroli Smith
Neroli Smith
Neroli Smith is one of many women who make an important contribution to agriculture throughout Western
Australia. She recently completed tertiary studies via correspondence and encourages other country women to
do the same. This is her story.
Neroli Smith has always had a
passion for agricultural research.
After working as a Technical Officer
for the Department of Agriculture and
Food Western Australia (DAFWA) in
Northam for seven years, she moved
to Boyanup with her husband who
works for DAFWA in Bunbury.
This involved the sizeable task of
moving their Wiltshire sheep stud to
greener pastures.
For the next five years, Neroli worked
in a range of casual and part-time
positions that included laboratory work
in milk factories, milking cows, freeze
branding cows and dehorning calves.
After considerable encouragement
from a friend and ruminant nutrition
consultant in South Australia, Neroli
applied and was accepted to study for
a Bachelor of Agriculture through the
University of New England, in NSW.
“UNE has specialised in distance
education for decades so this
suited my situation perfectly,”
explained Neroli.
“While I entered my studies with a
passion for ruminant nutrition, in third
year I discovered meat science was
my true calling.”
“I have always wanted to further my
education but having left school at
15 to go to TAFE and being unable
to be based in Perth for four years
(to complete tertiary studies),
I thought this was not an option.”
“A chance meeting with industry
expert Dr Kelly Pearce in the sheep
shed at the Royal Show enabled
me to work on research projects
over the summer holidays at
WAMMCO (Western Australian Meat
Marketing Cooperative Limited) and
Walsh’s Abattoir. From there I was
approached by Murdoch University to
complete an Honours project looking
at the use of CAT scan technology to
predict meat yield, which I accepted
and recently completed.”
“I was fortunate to be awarded a
scholarship from the Sheep
Co-operative Research Centre for
the second and third years of my
studies, which was a great honour.
I was also the top student for these
years, which I attribute to having
a lot of industry experience and a
great support network who were
able to help and encourage me
when necessary.”
Women in Rural
Leadership –
an update
health and education services; fewer
employment prospects and isolation;
and women are poorly represented
in influential organisations.
By Rosa Lincoln, RRR Network Chair
In response to the findings of
the study, the Women in Rural
Leadership program (WiRL) was
developed. WiRL aims to develop
pathways for rural women to
increase their representation and
leadership by developing the
required skills.
The Australian Women on Farms
project, led by Dr Fay Rola-Rubzen
and a team from the Muresk
Institute, is conducting research
to examine the impact of off-farm
work and work-related migration on
farming households.
The study has found that women in
rural areas face challenges including
a lack of facilities for child care,
The WiRL program has two
parts: Leadership, Planning and
Communication; and an Intensive
Executive Development component.
Network News summer 07
Neroli is currently employed
by DAFWA, in Bunbury, as a
Research Officer on the Greener
Pastures project.
The first session was held in
Esperance recently and was
attended by seven women.
The Muresk Institute of Curtin
University of Technology (Bentley
campus) will hold both streams of
the course in February 2008.
Further, the Rural Industries
Research and Development
Corporation’s (RIRDC) Rural
Women’s Awards will be held on
February 13. All WiRL participants
are invited to attend.
For more information email
[email protected] or
[email protected]
11
E mp o w e r in g w o m e n
WA GIN
Enlightening conference
connects rural women
By Veana Scott
Photographs by Veana Scott.
Empowering rural and regional women
was the focus for the inaugural Lipstick
in the Limelight conference that
attracted 100 rural women to Wagin.
The conference, held in
September, was an initiative of
the Wagin/Woodanilling Landcare
Zone and Chair Joy Angwin who
assembled an enthusiastic group
of women to organise what was an
outstanding day.
The keynote speakers aimed to
inspire, challenge and educate,
while tastebuds were treated to
Australian wine and gourmet food
provided by esteemed Narrogin
chef, Linda White.
A qualified naturopath, professional
kinesiologist, psychologist and
holistic life enhancement educator,
Sylvia Marina took the audience
on her journey of life from growing
up in an orphanage and with foster
families in New Zealand to her
present success.
“My dysfunctional past became
my gift, but it was a hard journey,”
she said.
This mercurial woman, who one
minute had the audience spellbound
and silent, would suddenly laugh and
the whole group laughed with her.
At 14 she was put to work and found
employment with a master baker.
“I was rolling in dough but not much
money!” she exclaimed.
When her boss gave her a pay rise
based on performance she never
looked back and learnt a valuable
lesson in life.
“I never did sloppy work again and it
changed my life.”
Sylvia’s boss deposited the money
in a bank account, which one day
enabled her to come to Australia.
She also won an apprentice of the
year award for New Zealand and a
scholarship to study food science at
a Wellington public hospital.
Her life was changed again when
a doctor suggested she study
psychology.
She realised she was ready to ‘make
a difference’.
Sylvia urged the women present at
the conference to make a promise,
“One day I’ll…(whatever their dream),
make sure you start the journey.”
“The opportunities are there but
only you can make it happen, never
let the dream go. Don’t be a puppet
on a string.”
“My desire for you is to have the
courage to emerge from your cocoon
and be open for the next challenge.”
Wheatbelt Area Consultative Committee
Small Business Field Officer Suzannah
Carter took the women on a journey
of tastes and smells.
Jaime Phillips and Lynley Pickett
at the conference.
12
She gave a short presentation on
Heartlands Country regional niche
market food producers and the
Network News summer 07
Joy Angwin and Sylvia Marina at
Lipstick in the Limelight.
services available to small businesses
and farmers wishing to diversify.
As a strong example, she quoted
the success of the Nenke family at
Kukerin who have put the yabby
industry on the map.
Paul Bennett, a self-proclaimed
‘environmental warrior’ and strong
advocate for climate change, took
the women on a different journey.
He believes it is important to live
in harmony with nature, to move
towards a higher awareness and
consciousness.
“Global warming is happening, think
about our globe, together we can
make a difference,” he explained.
Another highlight was an
inspirational presentation by Jaime
Phillips and Lynley Pickett on the
Mooditj Noongar Yorgas wearable
art program.
Promoting historical understanding
through fashion saw Jaime and
Lynley team up to make a real
difference to the lives of local
Noongar girls who gained skills in
art, design, photography, beauty
therapy, fashion and modelling.
It was a refreshing and enlightening
event – a day for women to interact
and connect and was a credit to the
organising committee.
Due to its resounding success,
Lipstick in the Limelight will
become an annual event on the
Wagin calendar.
e mp o w e r in g w o m e n
K ATA NNING
Inspiration from
Katanning to New York
By Lynley Pickett and Jaime Phillips
In a journey from Katanning to
New York – community builders
Lynley Pickett and Jaime Phillips
discuss their jointly instigated
regional leadership program.
Since 2005, Lynley Pickett and
Jaime Phillips have worked with
young Noongar women in Katanning
and Wagin, encouraging them to
explore their personal leadership
abilities and fostering active
citizenship within the community.
These explorations became the
catalyst for the Mooditj Noongar
Yorgas wearable art program –
a grassroots initiative which has met
with international success.
The young indigenous women gave
the group its name, which means
‘strong Noongar girls’. The 22
members shared a common goal
to escape the everyday and set big
visions for the future.
Many had encountered problems
with health, education and selfesteem. They wanted to live
‘Mooditj’, and devised ways to ‘be
strong’ by caring for each other,
improving their education and
learning about their culture.
The young women shared a
common interest in fashion and
beauty and this formed the basis of
the wearable art fashion program.
Limited sewing skills did not hinder
the young women, who teamed
up with Katanning’s Malay Muslim
women, who helped sew together
garments from the young women’s
sketches. After the basic garments
were constructed, Noongar families
helped to embellish them with
cultural motifs.
The group with their mentors at Gnowangerup. Photograph by Rebecca Brereton.
Each member of the Mooditj
Noongar Yorgas chose an element of
their culture to convey in their dress,
such as traditional camping grounds,
local rivers, fire and bush tucker.
As the program gained momentum,
an amazing event in Noongar history
was unfolding – historic paintings
from the Carrolup mission, near
Katanning, had been discovered at
a university in New York, after being
missing for 50 years. The paintings
would return to Katanning as part of
a major international celebration.
The original Carrolup paintings
were created by teenage Aboriginal
boys at the Carrolup mission, who
showed such prodigious skill that
their paintings were exhibited
around the world. Their works were
launched in London in the 1950s
but were later lost.
The return of the historic Carrolup
paintings was an important inspiration
because the artwork brought a
world of possibility to Katanning.
Several elders assisted the young
women, including local indigenous
elder Angus Wallam, of Wagin, who
spent time on the mission as a
12-year-old boy.
Network News summer 07
To mark the paintings homecoming
and to celebrate their culture,
the women held a modelling show
in Katanning. It could only be
described as electric. An audience
of hundreds – indigenous and
non-indigenous attended.
The Mooditj Noongar Yorgas
collection has since been exhibited
at the New York university and
an American practicum student
has travelled to WA. Noongar
women have also spoken about
the initiative at the National Youth
Affairs conference in Melbourne
and at the 2007 State Regional Arts
Conference in Denmark.
This project will continue in 2008.
After lessons
in beauty
therapy and
modelling,
the young
women, such
as Katanning’s
Jessica
Brunet,
took part in
professional
photography
shoots in the
landscape.
Photograph
by Mary Doyle.
13
inn o vat i o n
dark an
Necessity instigates
business success
By Samantha Scott
What began as love and protection for her husband
and four children has led Dana Steddy to successfully
develop and run her own business from the family
farm at Darkan.
Today Dana is the Chief Executive
Officer of her own booming
company, EnviroCare Holdings Pty
Ltd, which produces and distributes
Miracle Wash Laundry Balls
throughout Australia and overseas.
Dana’s story is one of determination
and inspiration. Coming from behind
financially with no income, she
had to borrow money from several
sources to see her vision through
to fruition.
Dana explained that her 18-month
journey to find an environmentallyfriendly laundry substitute began
because three of her four children
displayed allergies and she was
concerned about her family’s health.
“I never thought our children’s
problems would lead to a new
business venture,” she said.
“Three of my children suffer from
eczema, so I wanted a product that
did not contain any harsh chemicals
and would not leave a residue on
clothes.”
“I started my search to find a
product that would fill all my needs
– to contain no toxic chemicals, to
be environmentally safe and to be
economical.”
Dana says her investigations
stretched to the United Kingdom
and later utilised the skills of a
Perth chemist to develop the
non-toxic product.
“And with farming’s ups and downs
the extra income has been very
welcome. I hope my success can
inspire other country women with
good ideas.”
Despite the happy ending, it was
not all easy going for Dana on her
journey to resounding success,
as she suffered from postnatal
depression.
“I would encourage all country
women to seek help if they are
depressed.”
“There is light at the end and when
the fog clears, you realise that life
is truly wonderful and we can all
achieve our dreams no matter who
or where we are.”
Dana Steddy’s successful business
was inspired by love for her family.
Recently Dana was invited to tell
her story at the Wheatbelt Women’s
seminar in Bruce Rock. According
to Wheatbelt Women Advertising
Manager Lara Currie, Dana inspired
the women in attendance to follow
their dreams.
“Dana was a dynamic speaker and
encouraged us not to sit back but
to be the one who takes action,”
explained Lara.
EnviroCare Holdings donates $1
from every laundry kit sold to the
National Breast Cancer Foundation.
They also sponsor a young boy
in Kenya, Africa and contribute
monthly to CanTeen, which is
assisting to make a difference to the
lives of teenagers with cancer.
For more information visit
www.laundryball.com.au or
email [email protected]
Western Australian woman wins national award
RRR Network News congratulates Western Australian Leanne Preston, who
has been named as the 2007 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year.
Leanne is the Chief Executive Officer of Wild Child, a business which develops
and markets natural health care products to more than 14 countries around
the world.
Now based in West Perth, the business started out in Margaret River when
Leanne discovered her daughter had head lice. She began searching for
alternative products, which would not burn her daughter’s scalp as others had.
Today the business specialises in a range of products for babies, children
and families.
Leanne Preston after being
presented with her award.
14
For more information about the awards visit www.businesswomensawards.telstra.com
Network News summer 07
inn o vat i o n
KUNUNURR A
Turning
hardships into
accomplishments
By Maria Bolten-Magnay
“Do you realise what Kununurra is like?” That is the question the airline
check-in staff asked Frauke Bolten-Boshammer when she presented them
with her family’s one-way tickets to Kununurra in 1981. Arriving from
Germany with her husband and four children – it was quite the contrast to
her comfortable life in Europe.
Frauke came to Australia with her
pioneering husband, who had
selected Kununurra as the land he
wanted to farm with his family.
It was only their third year in
Australia when her husband
tragically died. She was left with
four children, the youngest just 20
months-old. Frauke resisted the
temptation to return to Germany
so her children could grow up in
Australia, the country she considered
to be the best place for them.
She was lucky enough to meet
her second husband Robert, also
a farmer, who was able to run the
family farm. She gave birth to another
child and rebuilt the family unit.
In the following years, in her
early forties she started her own
business. It was her first experience
at running her own retail business
and she hadn’t been employed offfarm for two decades.
Like most businesses, early
beginnings were on a small scale
– Frauke started with jewellery
exhibitions at home with well-known
jewellery designer Doris Brinkhaus,
of Claremont, and a small showcase
at a local giftware shop.
In 1991, Frauke opened her own
store in Kununurra, Kimberley Fine
Diamonds (KFD). She did everything
herself – from designing the
jewellery to cleaning the store and
educating herself about diamonds
and the industry.
Frauke’s boutique store.
Frauke Bolten-Boshammer with Miss World
Australia 2006 Sabrina Houssami.
“I strongly believe there are countless women out
there capable of achieving amazing things.”
Within the first 12 months, her
business was recognised within
the community as an exciting
new venture.
After five years KFD moved to new
purpose-built premises – where it
is still housed today – effectively
doubling the shop size.
Frauke’s efforts were recognised
several years ago, when she was
named as a WA finalist in the Telstra
Business Women’s Awards and was
the winner of a Self Achievement in
Business Award.
Today she is one of Australia’s largest
suppliers of the rarest diamond in the
world – the exquisite pink diamond.
Of every million carats of rough
diamonds produced at the Argyle
Mine, a mere one carat is suitable for
silent auction at tender and Frauke is
proud to have six pink ‘tender stones’
in the shop’s collection.
The business is following new
marketing pursuits. In 2006, Frauke
sponsored Sabrina Houssami who
showcased the custom-made
jewellery at the International Miss
World event, coming third (second
runner-up), in front of an audience
of more than two billion people.
Frauke has become a highly
respected mentor for women in
business, often speaks about her
experiences at community events
and dedicates time to charities.
During the development stages,
she continued to assist with the
operation of the farm – now a
prospering 1,100 hectare irrigated
horticulture property.
“I strongly believe there are
countless women out there capable
of achieving amazing things.
They need to overcome the
challenges life has imposed on them
and turn them around,” said Frauke.
Maria Bolten-Magnay is Frauke Bolten-Boshammer’s daughter. Maria was
featured in the winter edition of the Network News for her role as manager
of the Small Business Centre – East Kimberley.
Network News summer 07
15
Women and decision making
wa n d e r i n g
Making a difference
in Wandering
Adrianne Yzerman gets involved in
her local community to maintain
its vibrancy and sustainability. She
doesn’t ask for any recognition.
Adrianne has been living in the
small Wheatbelt community of
Wandering, 120km south east of
Perth, for about 10 years.
Before moving to Wandering, she
was involved with Rural Youth in
Perth, where she acted in the roles
of treasurer and secretary.
During her time in the Great
Southern, she has assisted her
community with the establishment
of a telecentre, was a member of
the local playgroup committee
and is on the board of the
school council.
She is also a mother to two young
boys and works in a non-operational
role, in finance, at the Narrogin
Police Station.
About eight years ago, she got
together with a group of six likeminded residents to establish
Wandering’s own telecentre.
“We just felt the town was isolated
in the fact there were no training
and education opportunities, mainly
for young people and for older
people to learn about computers.”
“It’s a bit different now, it’s a bit of
a hobby area close to Perth and
people are discovering it.”
The initial process and set-up of
the telecentre involved consulting
the community with questionnaires,
completing a funding application
– which was successful – and then
roping in the townsfolk to help.
16
Adrianne accepted a prize in Canberra for her photograph of Lake Grace.
Locals restored the town hall, where
the telecentre is now housed.
Adrianne explains that the new centre
was well received with many people
filing through the doors from the
start. She was initially their treasurer,
but later relinquished the role.
“They continue to hold courses. It’s
a community resource centre, video
library, there is a kids’ club during
the school holidays, Medicare, fax
facilities, arts and crafts and people
can do TAFE courses through the
satellite Internet.”
Adrianne was a member of the
Rural, Remote and Regional (RRR)
Reference Group from 2005–2007.
During her two-year term, she
promoted the RRR Network
throughout regional WA, liaised with
and assisted community groups
and networked with other women to
progress rural communities.
Network News summer 07
Her position on the Wandering
Primary School Council sees her
assist the principal with decisions
that affect the running of the school.
Adrianne is also a member of the
Australian Photographic Society
where she is the secretary for an
online folio.
“There is no photo club within two
hours of here so I thought this was
a great way to get involved. I run
my own photography business
part-time.”
She recently won a Land and Water
Australia prize for a picture she took
of Lake Grace.
women and decision making
york
Careering ahead
After 30 years as a public servant for the State and Commonwealth Governments,
Prudence Ford, of York, decided she wanted a change of career.
Today Prue runs a small consultancy
business. She says the consultancy
work came to her easily.
“It was difficult to make the decision
to leave (her former employment)
and to make the break but the move
into consultancy work wasn’t that
hard,” she explained.
She had not left her previous job
with anything particular in mind.
system, we have great strengths
to build on.”
“I thought, ‘life brings a whole a lot of
things, lets just see what it brings’.”
Prue says that although her training
within the public sector assisted her
immensely with her career move,
she also credits a positive attitude.
She encourages other women not to
be afraid to make the break.
Life did bring Prue new opportunities
and she has been working as a
consultant for over 18 months. She
is currently contracted to do a review
of the Department of Education and
Training. She has almost completed
this four-month project.
“This review is difficult as education
and training across the State is a
large enterprise but it is exciting and
humbling to think that you can have
an impact on the way education is
delivered over the next few years.”
Prudence Ford
“Be open to new
opportunities.”
“I have visited schools, district
offices and TAFE institutes
across the State and have been
impressed by their enthusiasm and
professionalism.”
“While we need to continue to
evolve to become a 21st century
Resources
Climate change
Alzheimer’s Australia WA
The Department of Agriculture and
Food Western Australia’s Climate
Risks and Opportunities Project
(CROP) conducts research and
development in climate variability,
crop yield forecasting, climate
forecasting, weather monitoring,
maintainance of sustainable farming
systems and managing climate risks.
Alzheimer’s Australia WA assists
people who experience progressive
loss of brain function caused by
conditions such as Alzheimer’s
disease, dementia and strokes.
They offer various services to people
with dementia and their carers
including respite, counselling and
training for carers.
Information may be accessed by
clicking on www.agric.wa.gov.au/
content/lwe/cli/climate_index.htm
For more information visit
www.alzheimers.asn.au/
“My advice is to be optimistic about
it. Leave a job for positive reasons.”
“Don’t leave because you hate
it there. It puts you in a negative
frame of mind and people are
attracted to positive people.”
“Women have a tremendous pool
of skills to utilise when looking for
a career change including working
under pressure, resilience and time
management expertise.”
“Be open to new opportunities,
something that doesn’t look
interesting could become something
more exciting just by using some
initiative. Don’t constrain yourself.”
Aboriginal Health
Project Grants
Aboriginal Health Project Grants
provide incorporated organisations
and community groups with up
to $10,000 to run innovative
health promotion programs with
Aboriginal people.
For more details visit
www.healthway.wa.gov.au
Clean Up Australia Day
Register to volunteer for a Clean Up
Australia Day site. The event will be
held on Sunday 2 March, 2008.
For further details about sites
visit www.cleanup.org.au/search/
Network News summer 07
17
r o un d up
Wongan Hills
Celebrating Women
in Wongan
By Kathy Barrett-Lennard
The Celebrating Women in Wongan 2007 event took place recently.
Over 250 women travelled from throughout the Wheatbelt to attend.
Local resident Kathy Barrett-Lennard tells us more about the day’s success.
“It was such a beautiful and
happy atmosphere.”
“There was such an overall sense
of goodwill.”
“It was so good to catch up with
people I hadn’t seen in ages.”
“Lots of health information was
easily obtained.”
These were just some of the
comments written on the evaluation
forms that were handed in at the
end of the Celebrating Women
2007 event.
Following the success of the pilot
day in 2005, its popularity has
grown to create what may soon
become a bi-annual event.
This year’s participants were again
given the opportunity to have their
health checked, to enjoy shopping,
indulge in morning tea, watch a
fashion parade, spend quality time
with friends and to network with
other inspirational women.
Local women Joan Donnellan and Maggie Harrison assist with the raffles
to raise money for breast cancer research.
Local pianist Lyn Hood delighted
those in attendance with her music
and numerous raffles were held,
with proceeds going to breast
cancer research.
discussed important health related
issues such as nutrition, breast
health, depression, continence,
blood pressure and sexual matters
with participants.
Health workers were located at the
Lesser Hall. They completed health
checks, answered questions and
The day achieved its objective of
bringing rural women together for a
day to remember.
They raised $1,400 for breast
cancer research and $3,000, from
entrance fees, was donated to the
local parish for community work.
It is expected that the Celebrating
Women event will be held again
in 2009.
Nyette Stewart and baby Tamara, of Denmark, on the day.
18
Network News summer 07
Christie Treloar, of Wongan Hills,
in the fashion parade.
w r i t in g
Letter to the Editor
Thanks once again for a terrific edition of the Network
News (41). The article regarding the fly-in fly-out families
research was an interesting read.
Having experienced the ups and downs that can come
with a spouse working away from home for weeks at a
time, it is somewhat comforting to know so many others
are dealing with similar issues. It is also seems like it
is something that more and more people will have to
deal with as time goes on and our workforce continually
changes and adapts.
It would be terrific if there were an easily accessible
resource available for all families either experiencing this
lifestyle, or trying to make a decision as to whether to do so.
Visit our website
www.rrr.wa.gov.au for more
information about the RRR
Network; to have your say on
topical issues; or to find out
details about new grants or
upcoming events.
If you would like your
community event listed on
the website calendar, or to
have an article or photograph
printed in the magazine email
[email protected]
Keep up the good work.
Mandaly Fry
Geraldton
b r ea s t h ea lt h
Breastfeeders
Anonymous
Book review
By Rachael Blair
The Kodja Place, in Kojonup, was recently
adorned with pregnant bellies, babies, young
children, pink serviettes and pink champagne
for the launch of Breastfeeders Anonymous,
a book by local woman Rachael Blair.
Breastfeeders Anonymous is
designed for pregnant women or
new mums who wish to have a
positive breastfeeding experience.
Rachael Blair’s inspiration for her
publication came while she was
breastfeeding her first son. At the
time, she noticed that the number
of women who said they wanted to
breastfeed was not equal to those
who actually succeeded. Noticing
there was a lack of breastfeeding
literature for pregnant women,
she decided to write a book
incorporating expert advice and
anecdotal experiences of mums.
Rachael Blair signing her book.
Rachael spent over a year
researching her first book,
collecting stories and photographs
and liaising with lactation consultant
Joy Anderson, to ensure the
information provided was accurate
and up to date.
“Breastfeeding is not always easy.
It definitely doesn’t often come
naturally, but it is natural and
I believe that if people want to
experience it, they should have
the best chance they can,” said
Rachael.
She hopes that women reading
the book will speak together about
their experiences and in turn realise
that they are not alone in their
breastfeeding journey.
“If mums are experiencing
breastfeeding difficulties and they
read of another mum who went
through exactly the same thing and
came out a happy breastfeeder,
perhaps they’d be more likely to
continue through problems.”
Rachael is so passionate about
the cause that she independently
published her book.
For more information visit www.breastfeedersanonymous.com or
www.breastfeedersanonymous.blogspot.com
Network News summer 07
19
b r ea s t h ea lt h
manjimup
Breastfeeding in Bangladesh
By Robyn Edwards
The summer 2006 edition of the Network News featured Robyn Edwards, a midwife
originally from Manjimup in WA, who has been working in rural Bangladesh since
November 2005. Programs such the LAMB Project (or Lutheran Aid to Medicine in
Bangladesh), which Robyn is involved with, are improving people’s health and education
in this poverty-stricken country.
I have been out here in rural
Bangladesh at the LAMB Project
(an Integrated Health and
Development initiative developed
in the 1970s) for two years now and
I have adjusted well.
Our compound is like a gigantic
aviary where multiple species of
birds make their homes, breed and
sing to their hearts’ content. Mango,
lychee, guava, papaya, coconut and
jackfruit trees are often laden with
fruit ready to eat.
the actual exclusive breastfeeding
rate possibly as low as 25 per cent
of the women and babies. The belief
that colostrum is either inadequate
or undesirable sees the babies’
grandmothers rushing in to give
the babies sugary drinks, honey
or cows’ milk. Here, in our labour
room those same grandmothers are
impossibly impatient to whisk their
grandchildren out to the waiting
room to show it to the family, that
the babies’ first breastfeeds are
often as short as five minutes.
Living in this tropical garden sustains
my soul during my weeks when the
frustrations multiply. Quality health
care does not come readily, even
with plenty of nurses and doctors on
staff. Insight and initiative to critically
examine the patient in front of you
are not qualities that are readily
educated into staff. Our Bengali
nursing and medical colleagues
come from an educational system
that is grounded in rote learning,
relegating initiative out of their
thinking from an early age.
As such the first critical breastfeed
is inadequate, the second and
subsequent are done with such
poor technique that the breasts are
never truly emptied and their supply
established. Smaller babies are
then often affected by jaundice and
require days under our phototherapy
lights, yet another barrier to the
mother responding to their babies’
cues to feed.
My greatest frustration is with
breastfeeding. I have found
breastfeeding education one of
the most difficult tasks within my
midwifery career. So many barriers
stand in the way of its
success. It seems so natural
and obvious that the rural
poor would want to breastfeed
and give their babies a start
in life that gives them an
equivalent health status to
that of any other child in the
world (if exclusively breastfed
for the first six months).
There is a long way to go, but with
much courage and determination we
are hoping to see positive change
for the Bengali women.
In Bangladesh, traditional
beliefs, fatigue and
impatience all combine to reduce
20
A local mother benefits from
the work of the LAMB project in
rural Bangladesh.
Blessedly, my paediatric colleague
and I were recently invited to
provide education on infant feeding.
Our project saves the lives of
mothers and their babies and
reduces the injuries and illness
associated with childbirth
dramatically.
Outside the LAMB Project in
Bangladesh, every hour three
mothers die from childbirth
related causes and approximately
95 out of 1000 babies die under
the age of one year, according to
(local) 2003 government data.
Robyn at work in Bangladesh as
a midwife.
Network News summer 07
For more information visit
www.lambproject.org
b r ea s t h ea lt h
bunbury
Continuing their crusade
By Jill Harrison
It was one year ago – in the summer 2006
edition of the Network News – that we
featured our cover story Paddling with
dragons. A committed group of women
known as the Crewsaders continue to don
their bright pink shirts and paddle the
Bunbury estuary with their erasable smiles.
Coach Jill Harrison tells us the latest.
In September 2007, the ‘Crewsaders
Dragons Abreast Bunbury’ launched
their refurbished boat at the Bunbury
Rowing Club on the Leschenault Inlet
in Bunbury. The Crewsaders is a
dragon boat team for breast cancer
survivors and supporters, which was
formed in Bunbury in April 2005.
These women share a special bond
and support each other, while getting
fit and enjoying social interaction.
The boat, which was one of the
original dragon boats in Bunbury, was
donated by Cristal Global. Crewsader
Deidre and husband Mike Moat
organised donation of the painting
through Brash Panel and Paint, and
the sign writing was completed by
Front Line Signs.
Dragon Boat race caller, Keith
Harvey was the master of
ceremonies, while Bunbury mayor
David Smith formally named the
boat and Crewsaders coach Jill
Harrison gave a brief history of the
Crewsaders and Dragons Abreast.
The Crewsaders with their
refurbished boat.
Paddling on the
estuary in Bunbury.
The refurbished boat has been
named The Estuary Juille in
recognition of the Leschenault
Estuary where the women train
and Juille for the founders of the
Crewsaders – Jill Harrison,
Julie Scott, June Foulds and
Janette McLean.
The boat was launched and the
team did a circuit of the city end
of the inlet before performing the
‘petals on the water ceremony’.
The women are excited and proud
of their new boat and it will certainly
bring a bright splash of colour to
the Leschenault Inlet on Saturday
mornings when they train.
New life jackets were recently donated
by the Bunbury City Council and
BreastScreen WA has contributed
merchandise so that welcome packs
can be given to new members.
The Crewsaders’ paddles were
bought with the proceeds of
the Funnybrook Comedy show
organised in Donnybrook in 2005 by
comedian Andrea Gibbs, daughter
of Crewsader Trish Gibbs.
Three Crewsaders, Joyce Pitman,
Deidre Moat and Helen Martella, took
a course in Perth to enable them to
facilitate local Encore programs. The
YWCA (Young Women’s Christian
Association) Encore program is a
free, self-help initiative, information
and exercise group (sponsored by
Avon) for people affected by breast
cancer. The three women recently
took a group of 11 through the first
Encore program in Bunbury and
another course will run in February.
Women are encouraged to check their breasts regularly for changes and to
speak to a doctor for assistance. Women aged 40 or over are eligible for free
mammograms at BreastScreen WA.
Visit www.breastscreen.health.wa.gov.au/home/.
Those who are three months post treatment are invited to join the Crewsaders, although it is up to the individual when they
feel confident enough to come along. The Crewsaders acknowledge the importance of supporters and welcome anyone
who will put on a pink shirt and have a go. Women who don’t wish to paddle can participate through walking, fundraising
and general support activities.
The Bunbury Crewsaders train on Saturday mornings at 8.30am at the Bunbury Rowing Club, Cobblestone Street,
Bunbury all year round and 5.30pm on Tuesdays during summer. Life vests are available for people who are not confident
in the water.
For more information contact coordinator Roslyn Webb on 97970678 A/H or coach Jill Harrison on 97251782
A/H or go to Dragons Abreast Australia – www.dragonsabreast.com.au – then click on the WA icon.
Network News summer 07
21
f eat u r e
l ake gr ace
Making fashion a natural art
By Samantha Scott
Lake Grace woman Kerrie Argent has been
empowering local women for several years to
express their artistic talents to benefit the
community.
Her projects have not only given
women a constructive outlet for their
time but have also given many a
fresh outlook on life.
About five years ago, when the Lake
Grace region was experiencing a
severe drought, Kerrie instigated a
mosaics project, which saw women
of all ages participate.
The community project, which
began with just a few mosaic tiles,
has outgrown its expectations
– with 365 cement pavers
(each 60cm x 60cm) on display
throughout Lake Grace.
Kerrie was the artist in residence,
assisting those involved with their
designs – some created patterns,
others incorporated stories about
their families onto the tile surfaces.
“They all loved it,” explained Kerrie,
speaking of the participants, who
were mostly women.
“It did so much good for the
community.”
“The project had a mental
wellbeing focus and it gave some
of them a whole new life and
something different to focus on
instead of the drought.”
The end result was a mosaic
garden, which attracts residents and
tourists on a regular basis.
The Lake Grace artist and textile
designer has now combined her
love of the environment with her
artistic talents to create the winning
piece in the inaugural Natural
Fibre Fashion Award, held at the
Newdegate Field Days this year.
Kerrie Argent working on her outfit.
She won $1,000 after beating seven
other entries in the competition
earlier this year.
Her creation was an all natural
outfit, which was made of silk
organza dyed with eucalyptus leaves
to illuminate the magnificent autumn
colours. She explained that natural
fibres such as silk and wool took the
organic dyes well.
Mosaic tiles on display in Lake Grace.
“For the pattern I used the leaves
from the trees around our property,”
she said.
“Every type of leaf gives a different
colour. The seasons, soil and rain
influence the colours.”
“I scanned the leaves onto a
computer, enlarged the pattern on
a photocopier and stenciled the
pattern onto the fabric, cutting them
out with a heating iron.”
22
Network News summer 07
f eat u r e
Local people created mosaic tiles.
Kerrie’s dress displayed at
the Margaret River
graduation exhibition.
As an added benefit there were no
chemicals involved in the making of
her natural fibre outfit – the design
and processes were totally organic.
It took three weeks of labour of love
to make.
The garments were judged on
overall appeal, design concept and
the manufacturing process.
Her inspiration for the dress – which
she made for her daughter’s school
graduation – came from hangings
she had previously created. Kerrie
made these for an exhibition she
and fellow student Tania Spencer,
also of Lake Grace, held at Margaret
River as part of a Fine Arts Degree
she is currently completing through
Curtin Regional Education. The
exhibition then visited Lake Grace.
Kerrie has always had a love of
the environment and often uses
recycled goods for her pieces –
citing copper wire, plastics, rusty
wire and old garments as some of
the items she utillises.
She says that working with
recyclable goods is not only a
challenge but is another way to
protect the environment.
Her love of the environment stems
from 25 years living on a farm near
Lake Grace.
A passion for textiles developed
when she was younger.
“I’ve been sewing outfits and
making my own clothes since
I was 13.”
Kerrie’s next project is for an
exhibition in 2008 at the Mining
Hall of Fame in Kalgoorlie.
She continues to inspire budding
artists. As a member of the Lake
Grace Artists Group, regular
workshops are held locally.
Network News summer 07
A model wears Kerrie’s winning
natural fibre fashion garment
at Newdegate.
“The project had a
mental wellbeing focus
and it gave some of
them a whole new life
and something different
to focus on instead of
the drought.”
23
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My view
Waterfall Beach, near Albany
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