The Country Web Number 61 Autumn 2015

Country Web Issue 61 Cover

Our 61st issue of The Country Web includes stories of women who have reinvented themselves, risen from the 'ashes' to overcome adversity, changed roles or careers for something new, started up a new business, stepped out of their comfort zone, and more.

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

  • Visionary women lead the way: Finalists in the 2015 NSW-ACT Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women's Award (RWA), Sophie Anderson from Byron Bay, Cindy Cassidy of Ariah Park and Trudy McElroy from Deniliquin are all advocates for their communities and have a passion for rural and regional NSW.
  • The gourmet goat lady: Joanne Stewart is the Gourmet Goat Lady, a farmer's wife and mother whose goat business is set to change the way goat meat is sold and consumed in Australia.
  • Farmer wants a ball: Sarah McCaig is not your average rural woman. While many mothers with newborn babies are sleepless, this farming mother of three is losing sleep for different reasons - helping support Australian agriculture and rural communities through the Bale Out Ball initiative.
  • REX Regional Woman of the Year: Barbara Cowley, REX Regional Woman of the Year winner, helps young women in the Hunter Valley develop their own personal worth, strength and purpose through a group mentoring and personal development program called SHINE.
  • Parenting - 10 things extraordinary parents say to their kids: These 10 things are extremely simple but so extraordinarily powerful in the setting of supporting and nurturing your children as they grow. If you want to make a huge difference in your young person's world and equip and empower them to become all that they can be—use these tips from Nathan Hull teen behaviour expert, every day.
  • Communities in focus - Meeting the needs of rural communities in adversity: Rural people tend to be tough and resilient, we have strong communities and can handle a bit of adversity; but we are not unbreakable - Marie Russell, Chair - Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health Community Advisory Committee.
  • Men's Matters: Remaining healthy and being actively involved in your health need not take a lot of time or constant visits to a doctor or health worker. There are things we can do for ourselves that pay dividends.
  • Women Leaders: Being able to encourage women to start, or continue to make a contribution through honing skills and building confidence is something that interests Rebecca Fing from Goondiwindi.

To read these and other articles in this latest issue download the 61st edition.

We hope you enjoy reading this edition of The Country Web. May it inspire you to do something you've never done before!

Country Web Reader survey and Drought Survey

In this issue we are asking for readers input into two very important surveys. Please take a few minutes to complete both of these important surveys to help us gather important information.

The Country Web Reader Survey will only take 5–10 minutes of your time 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.

By completing the Country Web Reader Survey you can enter to win a complimentary registration to attend the NSW Rural Women's Gathering valued at $250. To be entered into our special reader survey draw please make sure you include your name and contact number in the 'Other' field at Question 4 of the survey.

The Drought Survey relates to challenges facing farming families and communities and can be found on the back of the fly sheet. It will only take three short minutes and will help build a clearer picture of how drought-affected farming communities have coped personally as well as in their farm business. We are also looking for ideas on how to improve drought preparedness. Complete the Drought Survey.

Call for stories

The next issue of The Country Web will explore the theme 'Creating and Making'. We want to hear from you about projects you have done as individuals or within your community—so get those creative juices flowing. It could be things like building a community garden, working on a commemorative quilt for a new baby or setting up a blog for your farm… or it could be creating a family tree or making a succession plan that really worked. The possibilities are endless and we welcome creative talents from inside and outside the square on this theme.

Contributions are due 5 June 2015, for publication in August 2015. Send your contribution to: The Country Web, Locked Bag 21, Orange, NSW 2800 or email: allison.priest@dpi.nsw.gov.au

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