Celebrating rural women in the Western District

Jackie Elliot’s passion for inclusion in rural areas has seen her create a networking event for women in ag to share their experiences.

Networker: Jackie Elliot is organising a rural women’s event, with strong support from her CWA chapter.

JACKIE Elliott knows isolation can be a barrier to building a career and friendships in rural communities.

That is why the 27-year-old from Byaduk, in Victoria’s Western District, has organised a networking event for women in celebration of International Rural Women’s Day next month.

“It is a really difficult thing to meet people, especially if you are new to a region,” Jackie said. “This is a day to have everyday women in ag share their experiences.”

Jackie grew up at Kyneton, in central Victoria, and went to agriculture college in Queensland before moving to Byaduk nine years ago, to be near her family’s farm.

As an animal health merchandise specialist at Western Ag’s Willaura branch, Jackie works by herself four days a week. She said the Dunkeld and DistrictCWA branch was where she found the greatest support.

“They are a really young, vibrant group at Dunkeld,” she said. “We’re all under 40, ranging from our early 20s to early 30s, and all women who have moved to the area — vets, nurses, a whole range.”

Encouragement from branch co-president Caroline Coggins gave Jackie confidence to organise the Rural Women’s Day event, which has received backing from Western Ag, community grants, Landcare and the local Bendigo Bank branch.

“Jackie Elliott has been the driving force behind this fabulous event and has worked tirelessly to convene an impressive line up of speakers, consisting of both local and interstate women who will share their personal stories,” Caroline said. “

The International Rural Women’s Day celebration at Dunkeld on October 15, will include panel presentations from 12 women, including female farmers and rural entrepreneurs. Headliners include Gippsland beef producer Claire Templeton of Square Mile Meats, Wimmera communications expert and author Amelia Crafter. A dinner on October 14 hosted by rural photographer Edwina Robertson will kick off the event.

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