News and Inspiration

RWNZ applauds coroners call for action

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:29:00 GMT

Rural Women New Zealand endorses the call by the chief coroner for it to become mandatory for coroners’ recommendations to be responded to by Government agencies.

“We agree with Judge Neil MacLean that coroners’ recommendations need to be considered and acted upon in order to save lives,” says RWNZ national president, Liz Evans.

“As an example, for the last five years Rural Women New Zealand has been advocating for more to be done to remind drivers of the 20km/h speed limit when passing a stationary school bus.

“At least two coroners’ reports have recommended improved signage on buses as a way of reminding drivers of the need to slow down, as well as alerting drivers that a school bus has stopped ahead.”

In March Transport Engineering Research New Zealand conducted a trial of active 20km/h signs which showed encouraging results. However the signs are still not approved for use on school buses.

“The technology is now available and Rural Women New Zealand has evidence of a huge public support for such signs. It’s time for action,” says Mrs Evans.

Many school communities have indicated they would consider fundraising to cover the cost of the active 20km/h signs, but first they must be approved for use.

In the 23 years since 1987, twenty-three children have been killed in New Zealand when crossing the road to or from school buses, while 47 have been seriously injured and 92 have received minor injuries.

Last year 35 children and the bus driver were injured when a logging truck hit the rear of a school bus near Ruatoki in the Bay of Plenty.

For the report on the 20km/h school bus signs trial Click HERE.

Premier fundraising award for aftersocks™ campaign

Mon, 14 May 2012 02:23:00 GMT

Rural Women New Zealand’s innovative aftersocks™ fundraiser for Canterbury earthquake victims has achieved the highest accolade at the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand’s (FINZ) annual awards.

At the ceremony held in Auckland on Friday evening, aftersocks™ was first announced as the winner of the FINZ Online Campaign category.

But the highlight of the evening came with the announcement of the night’s top award.

Aftersocks™ was named as the joint winner, along with Ronald McDonald House, South Island, of the Premier Fundraising Award for Excellence 2012.

FINZ CEO, James Austin, said the Premier award is only made if in the opinion of the judges it is truly merited.

He said, “[aftersocks™] was one of those rare campaigns – and award entries – that has ‘winner’ written all over it from go-to-whoa.”

The inventiveness and ability to think laterally were winning aspects of both aftersocks™ and the Ronald McDonald ‘Supper Club @ Home’ event.

“Both organisations are thoroughly deserving of jointly receiving the Premier Award for Fundraising Excellence for two extraordinary but very different campaigns.”

Rural Women NZ’s national president, Liz Evans, says she is thrilled with the wins, which recognise the efforts of Rural Women NZ members and office staff in marketing and selling the socks.

The reach of social media played a large part in the sales success of the funky red and black striped socks, which incorporate the seismograph graphic of the 22nd February 2010 quake.

“Our national office was transformed into a packaging and dispatch centre, with thousands of courier bags sent out all over the world.

“We aimed to sell 1,000 pairs, but through social networking aftersocks™ caught people’s imaginations and sales rocketed. We’ve now sold close to 19,000 pairs.”

The socks are manufactured in Ashburton by the NZ Sock Company, and are made from a New Zealand merino wool blend.

Over $110,000 has so far been raised for the Christchurch Mayoral Fund, with a final wash up payment to be made once remaining stocks are sold.

Socks can be purchased at www.aftersocks.co.nz

Photo: Belinda Coyle and Emma Barker from RWNZ's national office with the FINZ Awards. Belinda is RWNZ's office administrator who packaged and couriered the 19,000 pairs of aftersocks. Emma Barker is RWNZ's marketing officer, who promoted the socks through social media and other promotional events.

Lynne Sinclair ERWA Entrant 2012

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:39:00 GMT

Lynne Sinclair is a self-employed travel broker living at Five Forks, 20 minutes inland from Oamaru. Not restricted to the bricks and mortar of a traditional travel agency, she is able to fulfil her clients needs around the clock, from home.

She deals with air travel, accommodation, rental cars, cruising, coach tours, groups and special interest tours, sightseeing, foreign exchange, insurance, visas passports and more!

Lynne’s been a travel broker for 15 years and is still passionate about travel. In November 2011 she was placed first in QBE Travel Insurance Broker of the Year, and GO Holidays Broker of the Year.

When not travelling, virtually or actually, she helps on the family’s 305 hectare farm.

Rural women walk the length of New Zealand for charity

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:34:00 GMT

Rural Women New Zealand members and friends walked the length of New Zealand yesterday, then turned round and walked halfway back again!

The collective effort was part of the global Women Walk the World challenge to raise funds to help women in developing countries step up out of poverty.

“The day was a huge success,” says Liz Evans. “Our members held 26 events around the country from Southland to Franklin.”

“Our local challenge was to walk the length of New Zealand, or approximately 1600 kilometres. Our members did that and more!”

Some four hundred walkers clocked up a total of 2,856 kilometers to raise funds for Associated Country Women of the World projects.

The challenge saw several generations taking part, from babies in prams to at least two women in their mid-80s who walked more than five kilometres each, with the oldest walker aged 87!

The distances covered were tallied up on pedometers supplied by the NZ Walking Access Commission.

It’s Chief Executive, Mark Neeson, said the Commission was proud to be part of the the event.

“Women Walk the World is an outstanding idea. Not only does it raise money for a worthy cause, but it also promotes healthy lifestyles, greater awareness of walking opportunities in rural settings and better understanding of life outside urban centres.”

Money was raised through gold coin entry fees, sponsorship and raffles.

Visit our Facebook page to view all the photos!

Where they walked:

• Old Wanganui Coach Road – 341 kms – 22 walkers
• Lions Reserve Blenheim – 125 kms – 15 walkers
• Waitanguru – 85 kms – 17 walkers
• Te Awamutu Walk of Fame and Pioneer Walk – 78.75 kms – 9 walkers
• Te Awamutu street walk – 78 kms – 13 people
• Bulls river walk – 85.5 kms – 15 walkers
• Wharepapa South, Hobbit film area – 90 kms – 15 walkers
• Kainui Lake Walk – 39.6 kms – 6 people
• Hamilton Lake – 130.1km – 30 people
• Lawrence, Gabriel’s Gully – 230kms – 28 adults, 7 children
• Pakawau, Golden Bay – 8 people
• Onewhero School, Franklin – 100.6 kms – 16 people
• Rapaki Hillside Walk, Martinborough – 61kms – 11 people
• Carrington Walkway, Stratford – 200 kms – 35 women
• New Plymouth, North Taranaki – 96kms – 16 people
• Lake Rotoiti School walk – 152kms – 24 children, 16 adults
• Queen Charlotte Walkway – 211 kms – 18 walkers from Kenepuru branch
• Queen Charlotte Walkway – 222 kms – 14 walkers from Mahikapawa branch
• Taihape Triangle – 94.34 – 20 walkers (oldest aged 87!)
• Marton walk – 47kms – 9 people
• Caroline Bay Walk, South Canterbury – 70kms – 18 people
• Skyline walk, Orana Park Oamaru – 148 kms – 32 people
• Mount Maunganui – 20 kms – 6 people
• Daffodil Bay to Sandy Point, Southland – 125 kms – 45 people
• Gore walk – 15 kms – 15 people
• Omokoroa – 12 kms – 3 people

Jennifer Scott ERWA Entrant 2012

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:37:00 GMT

After many years developing and selling software products relating to farming businesses, Jennifer Scott now focuses on promoting ‘Livestock Office’ a professional and comprehensive software package she has developed to provide the agricultural sector with innovative, reliable and affordable software.

LivestockOffice is the only specialised livestock brokering software developed in New Zealand for local conditions.

Jennifer undertakes sales, training and support and says her next challenge is to branch into the international market.

Lifestock Office can be tailored to suit any livestock business from a one man band to the corporate level. Modules available include mass communications, auction transfer, document manager, web sale using hand held devices and eSale using smart phones. It includes debtors, creditors, cashbook and general ledger, GST calculator, reporting and can handle all types of sales from grazing to auction.

www.livestockoffice.com

Sarah Huggins ERWA Entrant 2012

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:41:00 GMT

Sarah Huggins lives on a farm in rural Waimate – population 3000 - the town where she’s lived most of her life. But Sarah’s no country bumpkin. She has a strong passion for living on the cutting edge of style and fashion and says her calling is to make people feel good about themselves.

And she does just that through her business Inspire Beauty and Day Spa, where she creates an oasis of peace and tranquillity where you can soothe your mind, relax your body and renew your spirit. Mmmm, sounds like bliss!

After graduating from beauty training school in Christchurch nine and a half years ago, Sarah worked in Oamaru and Timaru, honing her product knowledge and developing her passion for specialised skincare.

And so Inspire was born in 2008, offering facials, skincare consultation, manicures, pedicures, massage, waxing, electrolysis, tanning, make up, weight loss programmes, botox and more.

Sarah now employs another person, and brings the benefits of the big city experience to her home town.

Supporting her local community, Sarah’s goal is to help Waimate become more self-sufficient in service and retail, instead of people shopping and spending outside of the local area.

Amy Lamb ERWA Entrant 2012

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:22:00 GMT

Five years ago, Amy Lamb proved doubters wrong about her ability to run a business from rural Waikari in North Canterbury, when she successfully took over the licence to produce the Tourist Times Canterbury.

As well as working on the family sheep and beef farm and raising children, Amy’s business has gone from strength to strength. She now also runs the Otago/Southland and Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast versions of the monthly Tourist Times, promoting local businesses and regional destinations.

Amy’s introduction to the media began at the NZ Broadcasting School where she studied for a Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications.

She sees her business as being all about communications and providing opportunities to allow businesses, regions, destinations, communities and people she works with to grow.

Building strong partnerships meant that after the Canterbury earthquakes she didn’t miss an edition, and in fact provided the only updated printed information directly intended for visitors.

www.holidayhere.co.nz

Sue Edmonds ERWA Entrant 2012

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:13:00 GMT

Sue Edmonds is well known for her articles on many and varied aspects of farming. In particular, her reports from farming expos and field days have helped demystify and disseminate technical information to a wider public.

Sue calls herself a farming writer rather than a journalist and she is know for making her topics accessible to a wide audience.

Sue aims to help improve the performance of both farmers and councils by enhancing their mutual understanding, or as she puts it, “so that they stop talking past each others' ears.” She has decades of involvement with environmental causes and has worked alongside Waikato Regional Council successfully.

Sue's input into her small Waikato community of Eureka has resulted in numerous improvements much appreciated by locals.

She has a one hectare lifestyle block is stocked with cows, goats and donkeys. Sue's farming efforts have at times created much amusement for neighbouring dairy farmers, but she has earned their respect by being always determined to do things properly. Her columns chronicalling her lifestyle block adventures have an enthusiastic following.

She loves her work, and says she's 'learning all the time'.

Christine Wardell ERWA Entrant 2012

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:54:00 GMT

Christine Wardell started out designing a comfortable pair of pants to wear while recovering from an operation in 2006 and her business grew as she started making pants for friends and family.

Eventually designing and making clothing became a full time venture and the ChristinZ label was born.

The range now includes skirts, jackets, tunics, dresses cardigans, coats and more. ChristinZ clothes are made to order and she uses many different fabrics to create garments with an individualised look.

Christine sells ‘on the road’ at shows and fieldays, as well as ‘pop up shops’ where she bases herself at a different South Island location for three days at a time.

She also has a website shop and mail order service, meaning her rural location is not a barrier to supply.

Despite the range now including over 30 different garments , her original pants are still her Number 1 seller.

www.christinz.co.nz

Lynn Bridson ERWA Entrant 2012

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:33:00 GMT

Lynn Bridson clearly likes a challenge. She and her husband run the delightful-sounding Whistling Frog Cafe & Bar and the McLean Falls Holiday Park in the Catlins - one of New Zealand’s most remote locations in the far South Island.

But while the lack of cellphone coverage and broadband are drawbacks, Lynn recognised the potential of the area’s scenic wonderland, especially having come from a hospitality background.

When the Southern Scenic Route was finally tar sealed in 2005 the couple gauged there were sufficient travellers to support a tourism business and their venture now includes a holiday park, motel and chalets and an onsite cafe and bar.

Lynn says they decided to use an eco theme and recycled buildings and cabins, basing the decor on a Kiwiana theme. The couple planted 10,000 native trees to attract bird life, and a pond to offer habitat to the resident endangered Whistling frogs.

Lynn handles the daily operations for the park which now offers 60 beds and accommodation for 100 tenters and campervaners. It is often full. The business has also given a boost to the local economy employing seven fulltime workers during the high season, with tour buses regularly stopping by.

www.catlinsnz.com

Find out more about our Enterprising Rural Women Award here.

Book celebrates women on the land

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:01:00 GMT

A new collection of writing published by South Canterbury Rural Women New Zealand is a treasure trove of stories and poems celebrating the lives and work of rural women.

At last weekend’s launch of the anthology Ragwort and Thistles, Minister of Women’s Affairs and Rangitata MP, Jo Goodhew, said “Women were and women are the fabric of our land.”

The Minister congratulated the 48 contributors - many of whom were in Timaru for the launch – saying the book of poetry and prose moved her and will become a treasured publication to many.

President of Rural Women New Zealand’s South Canterbury Provincial, Margaret Chapman, says the publication of the book had been a big project.

“During 2011 we held a nationwide writing competition seeking original, non-published works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry that celebrated women and the role they play or have played on our land and in our rural communities.

“In all, 321 entries were received, ranging from witty poems and moving stories about remarkable pioneer women who shaped our country, to modern stories about women farmers today.”

A judging panel of five, including Pleasant Point writer Karalyn Joyce, had an incredibly hard job to select the 52 individual poems and stories that are included in the book.

They chose as winner a short story called Ragwort and Thistles, by Marion Day of Picton, saying the story invoked clear and vivid memories.

In a close second, was Milk and Honey, another very descriptive and well-written story by Annalisa Vaatstra of Wanganui.

In third place came Madge, a beautiful character poem by Dawn McMillan of Thames.

The book will have broad appeal for both rural and non-rural people.

“It’s a good read – designed to entertain, to inform and in many cases to evoke memories,” says Margaret Chapman.

“The book celebrates the vital part that women play in farming – in the past, present and into the future”.

The book is available for purchase through Rural Women New Zealand’s website – www.ruralwomen.org.nz

Photo above from left to right
Kerry Maw, RWNZ National Councillor; Alyson Ulrich, judge; Vicky O'Connor, photographer; Yvone Cochrane,contributor; Hon Jo Goodhew, MP

For further information about the book contact:
Margaret Chapman
President South Canterbury Provincial
Rural Women New Zealand
(03) 693 9994, (027) 207 6008
mgchapman@xtra.co.nz

Rose Voice ERWA Entrant 2012

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:40:00 GMT

Dogs have been Rose Voice’s passion for 30 years. Back then she was immersed in sled dog racing with Alaskan Malamute dogs and used imported gear from the United States.

Being ‘a fairly sufficient sort of girl’ Rose looked at the gear and thought ‘I can make that’. And so her business The Real Dog Equipment Company Ltd was born.

She purchased an industrial sewing machine and the sale of a litter of puppies helped with her initial set-up costs. Starting small she developed a few articles of gear, and then a website to sell it through, on the basis that if she had a website and a courier she could live anywhere. She is now based in Ranfurly and prides herself on a business that uses the highest quality materials and fabrics.

She tells the story of a musterer who arrived at the Southern Field days recently with a collar that he’d bought nine years before that had outlasted two dogs!

Rose’s business has grown and diversified, and now includes lifting strops for search and rescue dogs, collars for seeing-eye dogs and dog backpacks, life jackets and bungy leads - all designed and tested by Rose.
She has expanded into the alpaca industry making halters, ropes and backpacks, as well as award winning Limited Slip dog collars used by the country’s top sheep dog trialists, and bull show halters and horse handling ropes.

Last year her husband retired from police work to work with Rose and they moved to the Maniototo building a home and purpose built workshop and space for their 14 dogs.

Now they send gear all over the world, and even send sled dog equipment to Alaska!
Rose is an entrant in the Fly Buys Online Business Award category, and as well as online sales, the company uses YouTube and Facebook to show instruction movies for people struggling with a training issue or use of a piece of equipment.

She has expanded into the alpaca industry making halters, ropes and backpacks, as well as award winning Limited Slip dog collars used by the country’s top sheep dog trialists, and bull show halters and horse handling ropes.

www.realdog.co.nz

Stephanie Kimpton ERWA Entrant 2012

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:54:00 GMT

Stephanie Kimpton says Oasis Beauty is a perfect example of what can happen when a person gets carried away with their hobby. It happened to her 12 years ago when she discovered a book on how to make your own skincare products. After producing a range of products with sister-in-law Donna Evans, they began to sell by party plan, which, she says, is “the best product development any company could do!”

With this first hand feedback she researched, consulted suppliers and fine tuned her products. Now Oasis Beauty offers a natural skincare range, with the point of difference being its specialisation in sensitive skin, sun protection and skin repair. The company sells through beauty clinics, health stores and pharmacies and online.

All products are manufactured in a Christchurch GM-approved factory and each batch undergoes lab testing before going out into the market. New Zealand ingredients are used as much as possible and the products are ‘cruelty free’.

Oasis has grown from a kitchen enterprise to factory-made in Christchurch, and despite the Canterbury earthquakes and their aftermath, the business has continued to grow and now employs two permanent part time staff and casual labour to assist with preparing product samples and packing orders.

Oasis Beauty is an entrant in the Fly Buys Online Business Award category. Stephanie says “The internet gives Oasis Beauty the same platform as every other business to showcase its products, services and points of difference. It doesn’t matter whether a business is big, small, town or country-based, the internet levels the playing field.”

www.oasisbeauty.co.nz.

Rural Women NZ challenge to walk the length of New Zealand

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:18:00 GMT

On 29 April Rural Women New Zealand members and friends will be pulling on their walking shoes and attempting to walk the length of New Zealand.

“It’s all part of a global challenge initiated by the international organisation, the Associated Country Women of the World,” says RWNZ national president, Liz Evans. “The aim is to raise funds for projects that will help rural women in developing countries step up out of poverty.”

At around 10 am local time, women’s groups from the four corners of the earth will begin walking, as part of this ‘Women Walk the World’ event.

Rural Women NZ members have organised some exciting walks, and will be tallying their total distances towards the goal of walking 1600 kilometres - the approximate length of New Zealand.

Some walkers are being sponsored, while other groups are charging a small entry fee to raise funds.

To help keep track of distances walked, the New Zealand Walking Access Commission has kindly sponsored a number of pedometers for each group.

Members of the public are welcome to join in. Here’s where we’ll be walking:

Lions Reserve, Blenheim;
Te Awamutu Walk of Fame and Pioneer Walk;
Te Awamutu 10km street walk; Scotts Ferry to Bulls relay walk;
‘The Hobbit’ area walk, Waikato;
Mt John Station to Lake Alexandrina South huts, Lake Tekapo;
Kainui Lake Walk, Waikato;
Hamilton street walk, Waikato;
Hamilton Lake walk, Waikato
Lawrence walk, Otago;
Golden Bay (Farewell Spit, Parapara Domain or Ferry Point depending on weather);
Carrington Way, Stratford, Taranaki;
New Plymouth Walkway, Taranaki;
Onewhero, Franklin;
part of the Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough Sounds
Taihape, Rangitikei Triangle
Marton, Rangitikei, 4km walk

All events will take place on 29 April except the St Arnaud walk, starting at Lake Rotoiti School, which is being held on 27 April.

Rural Women New Zealand is an affiliate member of the Associated Country Women of the World.

For further information about the walking events listed above, and local contact people, please email enquiries@ruralwomen.org.nz or call (04) 473 5524.

Applications open for RWNZ & Access Homehealth 2012 Scholarship

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:33:00 GMT

Health professionals with an interest in the rural sector are being invited to apply for the Rural Women NZ & Access Homehealth 2012 scholarship.

“We will be awarding the $3000 Rural Women NZ & Access Homehealth 2012 scholarship to a health professional to help further his or her studies,” says Rural Women New Zealand National President, Liz Evans.

“Given our rural focus, we are particularly keen to support someone who has an interest in providing health or disability services in rural communities.”

Preference will be given to applicants who are studying at post-graduate level.

Last year the scholarship went to an intensive care paramedic and emergency helicopter crew member from Gisborne, to assist her towards becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

Applications close 1 July.

Click to view further information and an application form