The Country Web Number 62 Spring 2015

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

Our 62nd issue of The Country Web includes stories from rural women and community groups showcasing their creative talents. You'll read about artists, small business owners, knitters and crafters, poets, and much more. 

Here's a preview of some of the articles in this inspiring edition:

• Painting her own path: Georgia Mansur is based in Mudgee but teaches painting workshops around the world. She sold her first painting in her hometown in California, aged just 16. After moving to outback Australia in 1984 to develop a cotton property with her husband, Georgia used painting as a way to deal with the sometimes challenging and lonely life on a farm.
• Aussie Hero Quilts: Aussie Hero Quilts has been sending handmade quilts and laundry bags to sailors, soldiers, airmen, airwomen and Defence civilians deployed overseas in the Middle East, including Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as to our peacekeepers in Egypt, South Sudan and Israel. The bags and quilts are made by volunteers from across Australia. They are a very special gift to say thank you for the service they provide to Australia and the sacrifice that service asks of them and their loved ones.
• Let the craft revolution begin: Carers Craft Studio is an initiative of Carers NSW to increase the health and wellbeing of carers by providing a craft meeting place as a positive respite experience for carers to get together, have respite, share ideas, be creative, recycle materials, build confidence and self-esteem and participate in generational and cultural mentoring.
• Parenting - a strong-willed child: Strong-willed children can be a challenge when they are young, but if sensitively parented, they become terrific teens and young adults. Self-motivated and inner-directed, they go after what they want and are almost impervious to peer pressure. Strong-willed kids often become leaders. These tips will help you communicate with your child in a way that works to your advantage.
• NSW Rural Women's Gathering 2015: Registrations for Gather in the Glen are now open! This year's program is designed to showcase rural and business enterprises from the Glen Innes district. There is a fantastic line-up of speakers, unique interactive tours, delicious food and fabulous entertainment.
• Seven of the best in running for national RIRDC Rural Women's Award: Seven women, who embody the Aussie can-do attitude and have a commitment to rural industries and communities in which they work, are now in the running to take out the 2015 Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women's Award (RWA).
• A helping hand for rural and regional school leavers: Are you a rural school leaver, or the parent of one? Are you feeling uncertain about the future cost of higher education and having to also pay for relocation, housing, and transport costs? You aren't alone. If you are seeking financial assistance, the 2016 Country Education Foundation Scholarships Guide is a great first step.
• Women's health - Sleep problems: Sleep can be our greatest friend or our worst enemy. For some, it's a point of endless frustration, with hours and nights lost to tossing and turning, and non-stop thinking. One thing is certain though, when it comes to sleep, it has far-reaching effects on our health and wellbeing. These tips may help you manage your sleep problems.
• Women leaders: Be great and dream Big. Have expectations of yourself and then double them! That's the advice from GrainCorp's Regional Manager for Southern NSW, Sarah Roche. Part of the GrainCorp Leadership Group made up of the top 100 leaders across the world, Sarah is keen to pursue opportunities to ensure there is balanced representation when talking about agribusiness challenges and ways to attract more women into operational and leadership positions. She believes that having a diversified team to tackle challenges and ways forwards will ultimately result in more robust outcomes.
• Book give-aways: We have several opportunities for readers to win some fabulous books this issue. See pages 32 and 37 for details on how you can win a copy of Australian Farming Families by Deb Hunt and The Homestead Girls by Fiona McArthur. 

Country Web Reader survey

The Country Web Reader survey is open until 10 September so if you haven't already provided feedback there is still time. The survey will only take 5–10 minutes and will provide important information to us on such things as the look and feel of the magazine, the suitability and relevance of content and the method of delivery. Complete the Country Web Reader Survey.

Call for stories

The Number 63 issue of The Country Web has the theme, 'Transitioning'. We want to hear from you about how you have moved from one 'place' to another. It could be about your career, life, family, work, retirement or in new ways of thinking. By sharing your story you may inspire others on the 'cusp' of transition. 

Contributions are required by 23 November 2015 for publication in March 2016.

Send your contribution to the RWN or post to: 

The Editor - The Country Web
Rural Women's Network, NSW DPI
Locked Bag 21
Orange  NSW  2800