On the shoulders of giants

By Angela Williams Head of Engagement & Advocacy

International Day of Rural Women was celebrated last week during a week of turmoil in Australia’s history. Women too have had to fight for rights as a minority and respect for their roles in relationships, families, businesses, and society.?

This day is also aligned with World Food Day. Globally, around 90% of food is produced by women and in Australia, a significant percentage of food is also grown by women.

During this Year of Horticulture, we celebrate and advocate for women and are educating the broader industry and consumers about the important role of women in farming businesses.?They manage staff, plant, harvest crops, and are also involved in processing, distribution, and farm management.?Queensland horticulture, and agriculture more broadly, is rich in its strong women and the legacy of those pioneers who have gone before.

One such woman is Georgie Somerset, Agforce President who spoke at an International Rural Women’s event in Bundaberg last week. Georgie is a proud farmer and community advocate for the rural sector and particularly women and the many roles we play including mother, wife, business manager and friend. Georgie shone a light on the struggles women have at times with labels, leadership, influence, and change.

Some of her take home messages which resonated with the rural women present were:

• You are your own brand; Do not let others define you with labels used for comfort to categorise and stereotype. We often accept what people label us however we can be so much more than what others imagine for us.
• We work for ourselves and our communities, and we are proud of what women have and can achieve.
• Leadership involves guiding, directing, and influencing people around us to take them on a journey to make change together.

Georgie described her early Agritourism advocacy work in the dustbowl that was Canberra in the 70’s and also regaled stories of past strong rural women who paved the way and on whose shoulders we stand today.

It’s on significant signpost days like this that we stop to reflect on what and who has gone before us and take these learnings to share with others and the next generation of rural women as we celebrate achievements and advocate for what is right and fair.