RURAL WOMEN ALIVE!
No. 75 – 11 April 2008
RWNZ National Conference – Blenheim 16–19 May
We are delighted that Dr Jackie Benschop of the Massey University EpiCentre Unit will be attending the national conference to receive a jumbo sized cheque of the funds raised during our year-long Leptospirosis campaign. Dr Benschop will also give us an update on the latest research into the disease and the way in which the RWNZ funds are to be used. She will be joining us at 10.15am on Monday 19 May, giving us time to tot up the additional funds raised during the previous evening’s Lepto Auction.
What is Leptospirosis? Who is affected? Why should you know about it?
RWNZ’s Lepto awareness drive continues with a Leptospirosis Seminar hosted by RWNZ’s Rangitikei/Orua provincial at 7pm on May 9th at Bulls RSA Hall. Speakers include Dr Jackie Benschop from Massey, GP Dr Andy Corser, Vet Dr Mark Gilmore and we will also hear of the personal stories of Lepto sufferers. Entry by gold coin donation. Who should attend? Farmers and farm employees, meat workers, vets and pet owners.
(More lepto information available on the RWNZ website home page www.ruralwomen.org.)
Congratulations to Central Taranaki RWNZ groups who held a very successful quiz night on 4 April with 180 participants, raising $2,000 for our Leptospirosis campaign, and also to Rangiwaea whose Lepto raffle netted over $4,000.
Corporate Governance Course
We are pleased to announce that once again Meat and Wool New Zealand will sponsor an RWNZ member to attend a NZ Institute of Directors course. This residential course addresses all aspects of directorship and is specifically designed to meet the current and emerging needs of directors and promote excellence in corporate governance. It runs over five days (six nights). If you are interested in developing/advancing the skills necessary to run a successful business, be that a farm operation or associated business in the rural community, or you wish to have the skills to sit on boards such as local government, community trusts or industry boards, then this course may be for you. Courses are held throughout the year.
Please send your CV with a letter of application stating your reasons for applying by Tuesday 15 April to Noeline.Holt@ruralwomen.org.nz.
Droughtspeak Blog
This resource is being continually updated with information relating to where people can go for assistance, and the latest communications regarding the drought. We have deleted the photo on the blog to make it quicker to upload. Go to www.ruralwomen.org and the link to Droughtspeak is on the home page. This week we have added the contact details for all the rural support trusts.
School Buses
News last week that a 13-year old boy was fighting for his life after being hit by a vehicle shortly after getting off a school bus at Houhora in the Far North is further reason to see more action to keep our children safe when travelling on school buses.
RWNZ is launching a major campaign calling for better enforcement of the 20kph speed limit when passing a school bus that has stopped for passengers, education of drivers, children and parents, use of high visibility safety vests and installation of flashing lights on school buses.
Between 1993 and 2002 there were 12 fatalities, 20 serious injuries and 77 minor injuries associated with school buses. Three children were killed last year alone. More on this at our National Conference.
Bank of New Zealand Women in Agribusiness Seminars *Free Places Available*
Reminder!! As part of our new sponsorship agreement, the Bank of New Zealand has generously offered to make available three free places for RWNZ members to attend a BNZ Women in Agribusiness workshop in either Queenstown or Paihia this year.
Dates – Queenstown 20-21 May 2008, Paihia Northland 5-6 November 2008. If you would like to be considered for one of the free workshop places on offer to RWNZ members, please email or write to Noeline Holt, our Executive Officer by Monday 14 April with details of why you would benefit from attending this course and your preferred location. Places will be allocated by RWNZ National Council at their meeting beginning 15 April. Email: Noeline.Holt@ruralwomen.org.nz.
Central Region (Region 4) Conference: Central region members will be gathering in Wanganui next weekend (18-20 April) for their Regional Conference. The theme is ‘celebrating diversity’ and there will be a range of activities and speakers intended to showcase what the Wanganui region has to offer and the mix of its people, talents and local geography. Places are still available. Please contact Regional Development Officer Wendy McGregor email wensim@paradise.net.nz or call (04) 905 7569.
Fieldays 40th: Preparations for the 40th NZ National Agricultural Fieldays are well underway. The Science of Farming will be the premier feature looking at some of the developments expected over the next 40 years, along with the popular competitions such as the Fieldays Rural Bachelor of the Year, Ag Art Wear, Possum Fur Fashion Design, National Tractor Pull Competition, Fieldays Wiremark and Cyclone Fencing Champs and the Fieldays Innovation Centre. Go to www.fieldays.co.nz or call (07) 843 4499 for more information.
Wanted! Babies on Farms! – (Central Region) Massey University researchers are following on from a study last year that showed farming children are far less prone to asthma and allergies than their townie counterparts. Out of this came an exciting finding that mothers who work on farms while pregnant have children who are less likely again to develop asthma and allergies. The researchers now want to find out “Does this Protective Effect Filter in Ante-Natally”. They are looking for parents of newborns to 15-month olds living in Taranaki, Central Plateau, Hawke’s Bay, Wanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu, Horowhenua and the Wairarapa who would be interested in participating in the study. Call Heather Duckett (RN) 0800 000 544 or email H.G.Duckett@massey.ac.nz.
Rural General Practice Network: Rural nurse specialist Kirsty Murrell-McMillan has been elected chair of the NZ Rural General Practice Network, succeeding Dr Tim Malloy. The organization represents rural health professionals across the country. Over 200 delegates attended the network’s conference in Christchurch last week with a focus on lack of funding for innovation in the delivery of rural health care and the unresolved issue of rural after-hours cover and funding.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
12 April – Waimatua Branch Garage Sale – 9am to 1pm in the Waimatua Hall. Stalls $10 ea or donated goods accepted. Contact Ann (03) 2304430 to book a stall.
15 April – Kaipara Provincial annual Winter Fashion Parade at Ballantynes, Albany. 7.30pm. Tickets $10. Email marieappleton@xtra.co.nz.
16 April – Southland Provincial Winter Fashion Parade – clothes from Classic Clothing and A Little Bit Cheeky at Club Southland Inc, 115 Leet St, Invercargill. 7.30pm. Tickets $10. Leptospirosis Fundraiser. Tickets from Dorothy Hay (03) 216 5481.
16 April – Amuri Womens Farm Discussion Grp Chainsaw course – with Leo Dunne. Bring steel capped boots and safety gear if you have it. Contact tim.jen@amuri.net.
18-20 April – Conference – Region 4 – ‘Central’, Wanganui. Friday 18th fun day, conference 19/20 April. Registration forms out soon.
20 April – Pauatahanui Women in Farming – Milking Goats and Cheese Making. 1119 Moonshine Road, Pauatahanui. 2pm. Tel: Jackie (04) 2356 359 Text: 027 271 5717 or email jackie.edkins@ruralwomen.org.nz.
21 April – Waipa King Country Comedy Cup – At Te Rore Hall, 10am morning tea. Event starts at 10.30am. RSVP by 14 April to Olwyn Verhoef (07) 871 9858.
24 April – Tararua Women in Farming – Visit to Kumeroa. 10am. Totara Rd at Geoff and Marion Smith’s woolshed to look at alternative power at experimental stage. Jim Hargraves from Massey will speak. ‘Beyond the Bridge’ for lunch and Meridian rep to talk at the windfarm. Email perry.paddocks@farmside.co.nz.
28 April – Nelson Beef & Lamb Cooking Demonstration by chef Maree Connolly from Marlborough Vintners Hotel, Blenheim, to be held at Spring Grove, near Brightwater 12-2pm. Phone Deirdre (03) 544 0191 for bookings
29 April – Waikato Provincial’s Social Day – details to come.
29 April – Access Homehealth/RWNZ Liaison Group Seminar – Central Region. At the Caccia Birch Complex, Te AweAwe St, Palmerston North. 9am to 4pm, food provided. All interested members are welcome to attend, RSVP by 21 April to Josie (06) 342 8500 or email otaranga@farmside.co.nz.
2 May – King Country Women in Farming – Environmental issues with Horizons. Nibbles and drinks at the end of the day sponsored by Summit Quinphos. Venue Siwan and Greg Shaw’s Taumaranui. Email: walkercj@actrix.co.nz. Tel: Jo (07) 878 8688.
5 May – Otorohanga Beef & Lamb Demonstration hosted by Otewa Branch. Ambassador Chef Mat McLean from Palate in Hamilton will demonstrate at 74 Puketawai Road, RD6, Otorohanga. Tickets $25 members, $35 non members. Lunchtime event. Contact Rachael for tickets/information (07) 827 6778. Email: gwwservices@inspire.net.nz.
7 May – Fashion Parade at Ballantynes – South Taranaki Provincial. 7.30pm, Ballantynes High Street, Hawera. Leptospirosis Fundraiser. Contact Helen – Email harrybayliss@xtra.co.nz
9 May – Rangitikei Oroua seminar on Leptospirosis with Dr Jackie Benschop of Massey University and other speakers. Bulls RSA, 7pm. Contact Linda Email cannock@world-net.co.nz.
9 May – Upper Waitaki Branch Health Expo in conjunction with Upper Waitaki Women’s Wellness. For further details contact jemcilraith@xtra.co.nz
14 May – Beyond Reasonable Drought field day on adapting dryland farming to climate change. To be held at the Avery family’s Bonavaree Farm, 309 Grassmere Road, Marlborough 9.30am to 3.45 pm. Contact heather.collins@landcare.org.nz. Registrations close end April
16-19 May 2008 – National Conference – Blenheim at the Marlborough Convention Centre – Theme “Celebrating Diversity”.
24 May – ‘Here’s Hilda’ - Ashburton College Auditorium – 5pm drinks & nibbles, 6pm show. Tickets $20 available Bev Bagrie (03) 30 37 217. Mid Canterbury Provincial fundraiser for Leptospirosis. Email: BagrieL@xtra.co.nz
11-14 June – Mystery Creek Field Days. The 40th year of RWNZ Waikato’s involvement. Look out for the stand in the main pavilion and RWNZ catering kiosks.
8-12 September – ACWW Conference Perth WA.
Newsletter compiled by Jackie Edkins – Communications Officer (RWNZ) Jackie.Edkins@ruralwomen.org.nz. Would you like to know more about our organisation and how to join? Go to our website: www.ruralwomen.org.
Rural Women New Zealand, 30 Hawkestone Street, Wellington.
Postal Address: PO Box 12-021, Wellington Tel: (04) 473 5524
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