Rural resilience shines through despite bushfires
Donna Layton’s positivity and determination means she has been nominated for a Shine Award.
When bushfires ripped through the NSW Northern Rivers region in late-2019, they destroyed homes, livestock and livelihoods.
In an area heavily reliant on the local timber industry, the fires burnt through swaths of forest, turning precious timber to ash.
No one felt the devastation harder than Grafton sawmill manager Donna Layton, who shouldered the burden of maintaining a vital local business while grieving the loss of her property.
The sawmill suffered a 40 per cent downturn overnight, with a shortage of available timber supply meaning the work dried up instantly.
A major employer for Grafton and its surrounds, Layton wracked her brains on how she could keep the business afloat and keep paying people’s wages.
“It was really devastating,” she said.
“As a leader, you go home and think about all these different scenarios on how to keep the business going in such tough circumstances.
“It was a bit mentally straining, but the work was my priority because I’ve got so many people working here and relying on me.”
The mill, however, wasn’t just a job for Layton. She had been working there for 43 years, rising up the ranks as one of a small handful of female sawmillers in the country.
Her employees had become lifelong friends. “These are wonderful people here – a lot of us have worked here for many years.
“There’s a lot of history with everyone here, and the industry is really down to earth and genuine.”
In the face of daunting challenges, Layton’s optimism has been inspiring.
It’s why she has been nominated in this year’s annual Shine Awards, which put a spotlight on the untold stories of rural and regional women.
A partnership between Australia’s leading rural and regional masthead The Weekly Times and Harvey Norman, the fifth Shine Awards recognise hitherto unsung leaders and innovators who make a real difference to their communities.
Layton was able to maintain everybody’s wages and keep the business running by asking everyone to drop down to four days a week.
The business is still suffering from the shortage, with supply dwindling down to zero twice already this year.
But as always, Layton is determined to push through the challenges and be a shining light for her community.
“One day might seem really hard, but then you go home, come up with another idea, or something positive happens and sparks you back up so you go on again,” she said.
“You just have to go on; if you let it get to you or think about giving up, something will pop up out of the blue again and off you go.”
Readers are encouraged to nominate women whose stories deserve to be told, with winners to be announced in November. To nominate someone for the Shine Awards, go to shineawards.com.au
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