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As NZ Post considers the future face of its mail service – both urban and rural – we launched our Postman pat-on-the-back award, to celebrate our rural posties and the wonderful service they provide to many rural and remote communities.

We received so many inspiring entries about posties who, often literally, ‘go the extra mile’ for their customers. Many of you felt so moved by all the extra help and kindness your postie brings, you turned to poetry to express yourselves.

Out of 30 entries, we’re delighted to announce the winner of our Postman pat-on-the-back Award is Dianne Howe of Hokitika, who was nominated separately by Anne van Beek and Di Strang.

SEPTEMBER 2012

Dianne Howe fell into the role of postie, RD2 Hokitika, after her husband Bernie died following an accident delivering mail in the area. Dianne didn’t want to let his customers down, so took on the run herself. That was 12 years ago and she now travels 52,000 kms a year and has 499 clients.

Dianne’s help has been legendary, says Anne van Beek. “It’s never a problem to deliver medicine, packages or whatever may have been urgently requested.”

Di Strang agrees. “She’s a character and has one of the most generous natures I have ever seen.” Di says Dianne Howe’s friendly face at the mailbox helped her overcome loneliness when she moved to the

area nine years ago. Since then she’s given gifts to each new baby that’s come along as well as older siblings, and at Easter all the children get a treat.

After the Christchurch earthquakes Dianne packaged up 17 boxes of lego models she had, and with Di’s help, sent them to children who’d faced loss.

Dianne reports road problems to the council, along with suggested solutions. If children are seen waiting for the mail, Dianne explains where they should wait so they are not in danger.

Anne says Dianne’s been a godsend. “Reliable affable and always ready to go the extra mile, to help out wherever she can.

Congratulations Dianne!

Postie plus! Hokitika‘s Dianne Howe is the very deserving winner of our Postman pat-on-the-back Award, pictured here with one of two people who put her name forward, Anne van Beek. Check out our Facebook page and website page for all our other inspiring postie stories.

Postman pat-on-the-back Awards

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Dear Members,

Yay – spring is here. The grass is growing in the high country and down the valley there are lambs and more lambs.

Our merino offspring won’t arrive until October and the ewes don’t take kindly to being disturbed while they are up the hill giving birth.

So, we generally don’t have motherless newborns to raise – which is lucky for us some might say.

A few years back, we did succumb to begging from our younger daughter to have a pet lamb, same as the other farm kids at school. Parents from down the road were only too pleased to off-load some of the Corriedale and Romney orphans which had set up camp in their warm kitchens, with the clamour for bottles of expensive milk powder supplement constant.

Three years it took before the pet lamb novelty wore off.

The last one was the most interesting character.

After much consideration of name options and the purchase of various pretty collars and leads, Holly made her headquarters on the patio adjacent to the family room.

Some of the more cynical in the

household had offered such name suggestions as Legga Lamb, Christmas and Rackov. And, in the case of twins: Sage and Onion, Mint and Sauce and Lawn and Mower.

Holly thrived and did what pet lambs do: made mess on the patio, ate roses, got in the way, took no notice of the dogs or fences, led other sheep astray, and went to school pets day.

She lived an independent life for 15 or so years, and became something of a flock star in that she was an icon of rebellion, constantly challenging the authority of humans and dogs alike.

She had her own lambs and taught them all her tricks.

One warm summer’s evening she bunted open a gate and brought her latest lamb into the garden for a rose locating and eating educational field trip.

She was once seen out on the hill fronting up to a possum for a fight – the possum on its hind legs hissing and Holly stamping her hooves ready to do battle.

Holly was a bit of an acrobat herself. Her favourite trick was to wait until someone was hanging washing. Up she would quietly come, by this time a ewe of matronly proportions, hoist herself onto her hind legs and clamp her front legs onto unwary shoulders.

She never forgot that patio and, years later she would make her way back there intent on getting inside through one outside door or another. You could sense her mind ticking over as she went from door to door searching for an opening to an area reminiscent of long ago food.

Hooray for farm animals and all the benefits they bring, and for the change of seasons which sees the new ones arrive.

Kind regards, Liz Evans, National President

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Editorial

Rural Women New Zealand’s call for more transparency around the number of doctors, midwives and nursing graduates working in rural communities under the Voluntary Bonding Scheme - which gives financial incentives to health professionals who agree to work in hard-to-staff areas - has drawn a response from Minister of Health Tony Ryall.

Our key concern is that the scheme appears to have failed to attract any rural GPs. According to the Rural General Practice Network there are over 44 permanent GP vacancies around the country. Rural primary healthcare is being supported by international medical graduates, who make up 57 percent of the rural GP workforce.

In his letter, Mr Ryall says the focus of the Voluntary Bonding Scheme (VBS) is wider than attracting health workers to rural areas. Nevertheless, he says, “Rural hospital medicine has been included since the start of the VBS, with increasing uptake of this speciality each

Voluntary bonding scheme review

cONTINuEd ON PAGE 14

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The wisdom of youth ...Most drivers will struggle to give the right answer if you ask them what speed they should drive pas a school bus that’s stopped to let children on or off.

But the huge number of entries and excellent safety tips received from 5 to 11 year olds in our School Bus Safety colouring competition indicates children have a much better idea of what’s required.

choosing three winners from over 550 entries was a daunting task. congratulations to claire Sparrow (6) of collingwood, Will Plunket (7) of Oamaru, and carys chalmers (9) of Waitakere, who each receive a $50 Whitcoulls gift voucher.

Will told us about safety on his school bus: “We have to wear our hi-vis vest. We listen to our bus monitors, they make sure everybody is obeying the rules. We have rules like not moving around on the bus when it’s going and waiting for the bus to go before you cross the road.”

You can view all the beautiful colouring competition entries and children’s school bus safety messages at www.facebook.com/speedpastschoolbuses.cONTINuEd ON PAGE 14

Some things need serious attention, so when it came to choosing the winners of our Pet Pinups photo competition, we found a judge with a pedigree longer than most of the pets on parade!

Bob Kerridge is the founder and chairman of the NZ companion Animal council, president of the Royal New Zealand SPcA and director of WSPA New Zealand.

Not surprisingly, he said judging all your cute pet photos was not an easy task! Eventually he awarded first equal prizes to two photos that he says epitomise the beauty of the animal kingdom coming together in harmony.

First equal prize goes to Helen coop whose pet ducko was snapped cuddling up to Bucko the lamb, and Michelle Smollett for her photo of her golden retriever pup, Alby, standing over boss cat, Possum, who are great mates most of the time!

Runner up was another photo by Michelle Smollett, this time of her four year old border collie, Rangi, who is a much loved and spoilt ‘happy’ farm dog and family pet.

The People’s choice Award, through voting on our Facebook page, goes to Karen Schou’s photo of Harvey, a 13 month old long haired Weimaraner, whose caption couldl be ‘How Much is That doggy in the Wndow?”!

Our thanks to Masterpet for sponsoring the cool pet hamper prizes for this competition and for everyone who sent in photos of their adorable pets.

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We’re also delighted to let you know that South Island schools won’t miss out.

We are partnering with Meridian to also give away $2000 gardening grants, plus funding for shade sails, to two lucky South Island rural schools. Applications close 27 November.

We’re encouraging little green fingers as we join up with the Farmlands’ Ladies Nights for the fourth time to give away grants to six lucky North Island rural schools.

This year schools can apply for funds for gardening projects, such as vegetable gardens and orchards, with applications for North Island rural schools closing on 2 November.

Gardening Grants forprimary schools

Queen’s birthday honours

things done’, and took a particular interest in our homecare work.

She was secretary of the Waikato Regional Home Support Board, chairperson of the Piako Homecare committee and co-ordinated home care for families in Piako for almost 14 years.

Beyond Rural Women, Janet has played a key role in helping to run Morrinsville community House, where she was secretary/treasurer for 16 years.

She has also taken on roles at the Methodist Parish, Women’s Fellowship and community health advisory groups.

Janet says she always had an interest in people and would continue to help out in the community as long as she could.

Tahuna member Janet Jensen (right) says she was `honoured and humbled’ to be named in this year’s Queen’s Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours list. Janet was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community on 4 June.

Her strong community service ethic has seen her take a leading role in Rural Women NZ in many different capacities since she joined Tahuna branch 55 years ago. Having served as president and treasurer for many years, she is still the branch co-ordinator.

Janet was a national councillor between 1997 and 2001, when she was made a National Member Honour.

She continues a family tradition of service to the community, and to our organisation in particular, being the first daughter to follow her mother (Muriel Eastwood MBE) on to our national council.

Her other roles have included serving as a trustee on the Scotlands Te Kiteroa Trust for six years. She is also a Provincial Life Member, and was Piako Provincial president for six years.

Janet has a talent for organisation and `getting

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Noeline Holt, our EO, met with Associate Education Minister, Hon Craig Foss, to discuss our proposal that communities should have the use of closed school buildings during the five year moratorium period before a final decision is made on their future. At present many closed school buildings are boarded up and become a target for vandals.

Mr Foss said he was writing to Hon chris Finlayson to discuss shortening the moratorium timeframe so that schools can have some certainty sooner rather than later, and has promised to include us in this correspondence.

Rural Women would like to see disused school buildings offered to the community to avoid a valuable resource going to waste. The property might be used for adult community education or correspondence schooling, for pre-schools or playgroups, or as a community hub.

Labour exploitationaffects ruralThe Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is developing a training package for use by NGOs and community groups working at grass roots level, to raise awareness around labour exploitation and trafficking.

Our EO, Noeline Holt attended a meeting of NGOs, hosted by the Salvation Army, to discuss the issues, along with representatives of the British High commission, American Embassy, rural Anglican parishes, uN Women and the Immigration department and the department of Labour.

Lincoln university is currently researching workforce exploitation in rural areas, with a focus on the kiwifruit industry in the North Island and dairying in Southland. Some are unwilling workers, exploited through deception, while others are smuggled into the country willingly.

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our Creed?Is it time to update

The creed we have adopted (below) was written by Mary Stewart in 1904, while she was principal of Longmont high school in Colorado.

She said “It was written as a prayer for the day. I called it a ‘collect For club Women,’ because I felt that women working together with wide interests for large ends was a new thing under the sun and that, perhaps they had need for special petition and meditation of their own.”

KEEP us O Lord from pettiness; let us be large in thought, in word and deed ...

LET us be done with fault finding and leave off self seeking...

MAY we put away all pretence and meet each other face to face, without self pity and without prejudice...

MAY we never be hasty in judgement and always generous...

LET us take time for all things: make us grow calm, serene, gentle...

TEACH us to put into action our better impulses straight forward and unafraid...

GRANT that we may realize that it is the little things that create differences; that in the big things of life we are one ...

AND may we strive to touch and know the great human heart common to us all, and ...

O LORD GOD let us not forget to be kind …

At Rural Women NZ we have never stood still. Last year we rebranded, a move that’s proved successful in reinforcing our image as a vibrant, modern and professional organisation.

So is it time to look again at our creed? does it fit with the organisation today and resonate with our younger members and those we hope to attract to join us? do we need language that is non-secular? do we still need a creed?

Please write to national office and let us know what you think.

Wasted School BuildingsWe make our case

Here’s a suggestion for a new creed sent to us by a member of one of our newer branches:

Let us be grateful For the gift of life

Let us empower ourselves With knowledge and understanding

Let us share this with our families, Our friends, our community and beyond.

Let us be humble and be at peace And let us live this moment.

Aroha atu – aroha mai (Love going out from us – love towards us)

www.ruralwomen.org.nz

Triple F challenge

central Otago Rail Trail

26-28 April 2013

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So many of you had such a great time taking part in Women Walk the World this year, perhaps you’re ready to step up and join members and friends who’re planning to take part in the Triple F Challenge – fitness fun and friendship – on the Central Otago Rail Trail next April.

You can choose to either bike or walk the trail, and either way you’ll be assured of ‘fitness, fun and friendship’ along the way. Starting at clyde and finishing at Middlemarch, the biking group will complete the whole trail over three days, while the walking group will cover around 12 kilometres each day.

But it won’t be all pedalling and puffing … you’ll visit Naseby’s international curling complex on the Saturday night to enjoy a “hot time on the ice” and a well earned dinner. The curling experience is something not to be missed says Margaret Pittaway, our national councillor for the Lower South Island and chair of the planning committee.

Dr Sue Walther (left), a dunedin GP and breast cancer survivor, will be the special guest on the Triple F challenge 2013 – and she and her husband will also be biking the trail. Her breast cancer journey will be the subject of her inspiring after-dinner talk at Omakau on the Friday night – ‘Riding the

breast cancer survival train – from ancient history to modern medicine – from personal suffering to healing humour’.

during the Triple F challenge we’ll be raising funds for the ‘Bridge to Health’ - a cancer survivorship programme, which is an initiative of the Otago/Southland division of the cancer Society.

Along the way you can take a breather and visit the fascinating Hayes Engineering Works at Oturehua. The Historic Places Trust property is like

a place time forgot, preserved as it was the day the engineering works closed. A great inventor, Ernest Hayes designed the wire strainer we still use today, as well as other indispensable items for farmers, including the cattle stop.

Places on the Triple F challenge are limited, so with registrations closing on 30 November now is the time to sign up to take part in this fun event, or to get a group together, and register.

For a registration form please contact, Pat Macaulay, planning committee convenor.

Email – macaulay.p@xtra.co.nz , P: 03 484 7006 or M: 027 201 6921. Or go to our website and search “Triple F Challenge”.

RWNZ Journalism Award entries openRural Women NZ is again sponsoring a Journalism Award through the NZ Guild of Agricultural Journalists.

We first sponsored the prize five years ago to encourage journalists to tell more stories about the achievements of women living and working in rural communities. It’s a strategy that’s paid off.

At last year’s awards, there were more entries in the Rural Women New Zealand Journalism Award category than any other, which suggests more balanced reporting in the rural media.

Last year’s winner of the Rural Women New Zealand Journalism Award was Rebecca Harper, who’s since gone on to become news editor of a major farming weekly newspaper.

The awards will be presented at the Guild’s dinner in Wellington in October.

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TE PukE-ROTOEHu held a follow up get together to support those who are having to cope with the fallout of the PSA kiwifruit vine disease, which continues to seriously affect livelihoods in the district. Speakers included a psychologist and family violence advisors, who shared information about how to watch for signs of stress and urged people to get help in these situations, rather than carry the load on their own.

RANGITIkEI/OROuA’S annual competition day is always fiercely contested and this year was no exception. Since 1995 Rangiwhaea, Tutaenui, Bonny Glenn/South Makirikiri and Scotts Ferry branches have got together to compete for a vase donated by the family of Joyce Philps. Jane Russell says the event originally began in 1968 as an individual competition. But since it changed to a team event in 1995 the day has become a not-to-be-missed occasion on the provincial calendar, celebrated with much laughter and high spirits.

Our country of study, Ireland, was the basis of this year’s competition sections and the judges eventually declared Scotts Ferry branch the winner. Scotts Ferry’s winning ways included a white embroidered cloth by Judy Gallen in the craft section; in the sewing a small child’s dress by diana dyer; in floral art a vase of lilies with willow by dawn Nitschke and in the baking a potato and apple cake by Ruth Harrison.

RWNZ/Access Scholarship

TAuRANGA BRANCH recently gave a grant to the colville community Health Trust which is now in its 10th year of operation, providing health services to residents and visitors in the northern coromandel Peninsula. As well as treating patients, the Trust is a base for the first response, ambulance and rural nursing. It is working towards having its own purpose built building, which would also be a refuge centre in case of natural disaster.

CROMWELL DINNER GROuP recently hosted two of our 2012 Enterprising Rural Women Award winners, Jenny Scott of Livestock Office and Rose Voice of The Real dog Equipment company who spoke about of their journeys to the top!

SEAWARD DOWNS BRANCH celebrated their 80th birthday in August and have been busy with community activities: a cookbook launch, knitting for christchurch and the presentation of a water cooler to the Wyndham Rest Home.

Lynnette Downie is thrilled to have been chosen as the winner of the Rural Women New Zealand & Access Scholarship 2012.Lynnette is a rural practice nurse working from Murupara, whose practice covers a wide area including remote villages in the urewera National Park, Minginui and Ruatahuna, as well as Kaingaroa and Galatea.

Being so far from the nearest hospital, Lynette at times has to work independently as an emergency on call nurse when doctors are unavailable. “I also have to travel to the satellite villages to immunise children,

and catch up with families to address medical issues.”

Lynnette is keen to increase her knowledge, particularly in the field of women’s health, as her role includes obstetric emergencies. Many women do not make it to the hospital, up to two hours drive away!

The Rural Women New Zealand/Access scholarship will go to towards Lynnette’s course costs for post graduate study in Women’s Health through Otago university.

On hearing of her success she said “I cannot express my thanks and gratitude enough. The whole surgery and family

are sharing my delight.

“My studies in Women’s Health are going well.

“Thank you again to Rural Women.”

www.ruralwomen.org.nz

National Council contactsLiz Evans, National President, Phone: 03 572 4809 Mobile: 021 724 809 liz.evans@ruralwomen.org.nz Stonvar, R.d.6, Blenheim 7276

Marie Appleton, National Finance chair, Phone: 09 238 5545 Mobile: 027 351 6807 marie.appleton@ruralwomen.org.nz 9 Puni Road, Pukekohe 2120

Wendy McGowan, National Vice President Regional councillor Bay of Plenty/ coromandel, Region Five, Phone: 07 332 3586 Mobile: 027 222 7015 wendy.mcgowan@ruralwomen.org.nz 644 Koharoa Road, R.d.2, Rotorua 3072

Mary Dale-Taylor, Regional councillor, Top of the North Island, Region Seven, Phone: 09 436 1400 Mobile: 021 150 6509 mary.dale-taylor@ruralwomen.org.nz 30 Konini Street, Parahaki, Whangarei 0112

Shirley Read, Regional councillor, Waikato/Taranaki, Region Six Phone: 06 752 3698 Mobile: 027 665 9047 shirley.read@ruralwomen.org.nz 268 Pukearuhe Road, R.d 44, urenui 4377

Anne Finnie, Regional councilllor, Lower North Island, Region Four Phone: 06 376 2821 Mobile: 021 145 4409 anne.finnie@ruralwomen.org.nz Te Rau, R.d. 3, Pongaroa 4992

Pam Thomlinson, Regional councilllor, Top of the South, Region Three Phone: 03 574 2380 pam.thomlinson@ruralwomen.org.nz Raspberry Bay, R.d.1, Mahau Sound, Picton 7281

Kerry Maw, Regional councillor, canterbury, Region Two Phone: 03 302 0896 Mobile: 0274 780 482 kerry.maw@ruralwomen.org.nz 696 Mccrorys Road, R.d.11, Rakaia 7781

Margaret Pittaway, Regional councillor, Lower South Island, Region One Phone: 03 445 1201 Mobile: 021 024 89569 margaret.pittaway@ruralwomen.org.nz 1570 Luggate, cromwell Road, R.d.3, cromwell 9383

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DATES TO NOTE

15 October International day of Rural Women

23-26 May - National conference 2013, christchurch

National Council Officers 2012-2013

National Vice President: Wendy McGowan

International Officer: Marie Appleton

Speech competition convenor: Kerry Maw

competitions convenor: Pam Thomlinson

JACKET WINNER

Congratulations to Helen Jones of Taranaki, who was the lucky winner of the Stoney Creek Women’s Caballo Jacket draw in the May Express.

RAGWORT & THISTLES BOOK DRAW

The winners of our Ragwort & Thistles book draw in the last RWNZ Express were Monica Anderson of Pukeatua and J M Frost of Hawera. The book is available for purchase through our website www.ruralwomen.org.nz/shop

BuRSARIES

Education Fund

H Blissett, upper Hutt

E donavan, Kaponga Taranaki

E McNabb, Wairoa

Sarah Watson, Tawa – Wellington

S Aspinall-Su’a, Thames

Ruby Stokes bursary

S Jefferson, Wanaka

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Lady Blundell Trophy Best branch project. This could be a one day event or an ongoing activity. It could involve social work, district improvements, seminars or promotion of RWNZ.

Speech contestsTopic: “I have a dream”

Tarrant Bell and Tutaenui Wooden Bell (for first time entrants). See Infopak item 11-2 for further information on the speech contests, or contact national office.

Regions assist the finalists with their travel and accommodation to the national final to be held at our national conference 2013 in christchurch.

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Cora Wilding trophy Bag your creative talents!This year’s challenge is to create a reusable shopping bag from recycled materials, using any medium. The size should be no bigger than 40.5 x 35.5cm, excluding the handles. When entering this competition, members need to state if they wish their bag to go to the ACWW Triennial Conference in Chennai, India, in 2013, where bags from all over the world will be judged in a ‘people’s choice’ award, and funds raised for ACWW’s Pennies for Friendship fund through a silent auction.

National Conference - competitions

Wool for Ewe and MeThis year’s competition is for a knitted cushion cover suitable for placing on a sofa. It should be knitted from 100% wool (i.e. both sides of the cushion) with the wool label attached. Handspun wool must have a sample attached. The cushion can be made from any ply wool, and a button or zip closure is allowed.

Short story competitionsMarlborough Short Story competition

Title: “If only”. Open to all members who are amateur writers and have not won this competition in the previous two years, or had their writing published, apart from contributions to the Express or Outlook magazines. 1000 – 1500 words.

Olive Burdekin Advanced Writing Prize

Title “If only”. Open to members who are not eligible to enter the Marlborough Short Story competition having been first place winners in the past two years, or having been published. 1500-2000 words.

contact national office for entry forms or download from www.ruralwomen.org.nz.

International Day of Rural Women - 15 OctoberMembers are encouraged choose their own theme for celebrating the International Day of Rural Women this year. No theme has yet been announced by ACWW or the United Nations.

Please remember to take photos and send stories about your celebrations and events to national office.

Mid-East Southland members are ahead with their planning for our international day. On October 15th they are hosting the Brainwave Trust’s Nathan Mikaere-Wallis, who is giving a talk aimed at abroad audience of parents, grandparents, caregivers and teachers on the importance of positive experiences in early childhood called “The First Three Years Last Forever”. Nathan is a lecturer in brain development, language, risk and resilience at the christchurch college of Education. Other exciting speakers on the day include Southland’s Rose of Tralee, Grace campbell, Lynley Soper talking about 21st century careers, and Ant Sutherland on the use of safety helmets.

Nathan Mikaere-Wallis

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Elsie Davidson

Elsie davidson, a lifetime member of the Tarras branch, central Otago, passed away on 8 May, 2012 aged 87 years at Ripponburn rest home, cromwell.

Elsie arrived in the Ardgour valley, Tarras after marrying Vic, a Tarras farmer in 1945. She first joined WdFF in 1947, and held the president, vice-president and treasurer positions. Tarras Rural Women branch honoured Elsie with a long service award in 2001. Tarras president, Sue Rutherford says “She was a great contributor, especially in organising the catering for the Tarras golf club and dog trials and other local events. Elsie was a lovely lady and a great inspiration to us all.”

Shirley LockheadThe Inch clutha branch farewelled their much respected Life Member, Shirley Margaret Lochhead with a guard of honour at her funeral in Balclutha in January. Lorraine Pringle says she epitomized rural women.

Shirley Lochhead started farming on Inch clutha with her late husband Ross in 1946 and raised a family of three children, John, donald and Alison.

Shirley was a foundation member of the branch and its inaugural secretary. She held many positions of office at both branch and provincial levels and was a staunch advocate for rural women’s health and education. An active member for 64 years, she was awarded branch life membership in 1990.

Shirley was very proud when her granddaughter, Leesa Wright, moved to the family farm and became involved in Rural Women. Leesa is the current chairperson of Inch clutha branch.

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Nancy Perry

Life member Nancy Perry joined cardiff branch in 1953 and was a member for 43 years until the branch closed in 1996, when she transferred to Stratford branch. At cardiff she served on the committee and held the offices of treasurer and vice-president. She was very talented in floral art work and will be sadly missed by all members

Rae McKenzie of upper Hutt branch, NLM.

Neroli Bothwell former branch president Blenheim Wairau.

Farewell to old friends

May Meharry

North Taranaki member Marion Jessie Meharry (May) dedicated many years to WdFF and later to Rural Women New Zealand. May joined Hillsborough branch as a junior member with her mother, who was the first president. She was awarded branch and provincial life memberships and served for many years on the Holiday cottage working and management committees. May performed a sterling job as Housekeeping Secretary in the early days, served on provincial committee and was a Provincial Advisory Officer. She was 89 when she died and attended her last provincial meeting shortly before her passing.

Joan Evans

Joan Evans from South canterbury provincial has passed away following a brief illness. Joan was a former National councillor and a tremendously vibrant person. South canterbury members formed a Guard of Honour at her funeral.

Julie Small of Kaikoura branch

Olive Burdekin

Olive was a life member of Kenepuru Branch and Marlborough Provincial. Latterly a member of Blenheim Wairau.

She was a devoted and very active member of both Rural Women New Zealand and AcWW.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Olive was passionate and vocal about maintaining and improving rural services and the status of agriculture.

A keen conference attendee, Olive could always be relied upon to make a positive and humourous contribution. We will miss her,

www.ruralwomen.org.nz

Getting to know you in Rai ValleyA leadership retreat on the theme of ‘Getting to Know You’ held at Mt Richmond Estate in the Rai Valley was also a great opportunity for participants to learn more about our organisation.

“For the first time at this type of course, after many years of meetings etc, I found this a fund of information for dealing with Rural Women and life generally. We haven’t been overloaded and appreciated the fun factor!” said one.

“This has given me confidence for myself and what I do with Rural Women,” said another.

Presenter Heather Sorensen says the topics included successful communication, how to be part of a successful team and goal setting.

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Branch and Provincial birthdays

CARTERS BEACH branch celebrated 60 years with a lunch for past and present members.

Pam Thomlinson presented life memberships to Florence Williams and Marg Milne.

Pictured right are foundation member Ivy Bruning and Florence Williams cutting the cake surrounded by present members.

It’s been party time as several groups have been celebrating significant birthdays recently.

STRATFORD members (left) celebrated the branch’s 85th birthday on 10 April with a lunch at the Stratford Mountain House.

18 members and three past members attended. The cake was cut by June Schneller, president, and Patricia Houghton treasurer/secretary.

In April TIRAU branch celebrated its 83rd birthday, enjoying a lovely afternoon at the Honey Shop café.

Gladys Wallace was a special guest, having belonged to the branch for 60 years, during which time she always took on the role of competition steward. Now in her 90s, she still drives, says president Thora Younger.

A musical interlude from Olivia Sheat, QEII Music Award winner, was the icing on the cake at MARLBOROUGH PROVINCIAL’S 75th birthday celebrations on 24 June.

Forty-five members, including six past Provincial presidents, sported 1920s costume for the event. After lunch a celebration cake was cut by Provincial Life Members Ruth Parker and the youngest member Tiffany Foote.

A raffle was run with proceeds going to the Nellie Schroder bursary fund and Provincial Life Membership was awarded to Mary Neal and Melva Robb.

Liz Evans with members at Rai Valley

www.ruralwomen.org.nz

Our call for a fair deal for homecare workers - Hon. Jo Goodhew replies

Associate Minister of Health, Hon. Jo Goodhew, says the Ministry of Health is working with DHBs to “explore options for greater consistency” when it comes to recompensing rural support workers for their travel costs.

This encouraging news comes after we wrote to the Minister about remits passed at national conference. However the review appears unlikely to address all our concerns.

We urged the Government to reimburse workers’ travel at the IRD mileage rates for business use of a vehicle, and to hold DHBs accountable for ensuring that all funds received for homecare services, including inflation adjustments and travel expenses for care workers, are passed on to service providers in a timely fashion, as intended by Government.

While we welcome news that the disparity of payments by different DHBs is being looked at again, Ms Goodhew was unable to provide any reassurance around passing on inflation adjustments to homecare providers.

“A requirement that DHBs automatically increase prices paid by the percentage increase they receive from Contribution to Cost Pressures (CCP) would contradict the expectation that DHBs regularly review the cost-effectiveness of the services they purchase and seek better alternatives where possible.” This, she says, enables DHBs to develop local innovative solutions to local issues.

We clearly have more work to do in convincing the Government, and will continue to advocate for the reimbursement of realistic travel costs for homecare workers and the passing on of inflation adjustments and funding increases by DHBs.

Our homecare company, Access, was recently selected by ACC as one of only four national providers, which means for the first time it will extend its geographical service area to cover all of New Zealand.

commenting on the new national contract, cEO Graeme Titcombe says: “We are extremely proud to have been selected, especially against a backdrop of a reduction in the number of suppliers contracted by Acc.

“This new contract offers Access and our staff new and exciting opportunities, including new roles and new

ways of doing things as we increase our capacity to cater for a large increase in service users.”

Access will also be delivering its nursing services nationally following another Acc contract win.

For more information go to www.access.org.nz

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Access extends home-based care nationally

Adult Learners Week

Is there something you’d like to learn with your group? Would funding help get your event off the ground? If so plan ahead for Adult Learners Week next September and you’ll be eligible for $600 funding per event through ACE Aotearoa.

This year, for Adult Learners Week, Rai Valley branch and the cultural and Archives Trust are holding a Felting for Beginners session and a Gift Wrap Inspirations workshop. The event is on Tuesday 4 September at the cultural and Archives centre in Rai Valley, and is being run with funding support from AcE Aotearoa.

Contact Emma Barker in national office for more details on Adult Learners Week funding, and note that funding applications are due by May 2013. Or go to www.aceaotearoa.org.nz.

www.ruralwomen.org.nz12

Funky Farmworker Food

Waimakariri District Council is setting up a pilot project aimed at supporting young dairy farm workers to have a healthier lifestyle which in turn will help them improve their general wellbeing and ability to handle issues such as stress/depression, alcohol use, and relationships (both work and personal).

RWNZ has been invited to participate in the project with members working in a mentoring role to encourage healthy eating, better home hygiene, and general support. If you are interested in supporting this project, please contact Kerry Maw.

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Hands up for Beef+Lamb demos

If you’d like to host one of our very popular demonstrations with a Beef+Lamb ambassador chef next year, please go to our website and download a registration of interest form.

The forms need to be emailed or posted by:???

Growing Dynamic Leaders 2013

Do you want to spend a couple of days being inspired by members who are visionary, engaging and lively? That’s how one participant described the group of women who took part in our skills-focused Growing Dynamic Leaders programme last year. “It’s just been amazing,” said Michelle Bisset.

You’ll have the chance to meet politicians and policymakers, learn more about effective lobbying, hone your presentation and interviewing skills, get some hot tips on use of the media and the chance to build your networks in Rural Women.

Sounds like you? Then drop an email to noeline.holt@ruralwomen.org.nz, telling us why you’d like to be part of Growing dynamic Leaders 2013. The course will take place at the end of February in Wellington and is free to participants thanks to sponsorship from ??

Go to www.youtube.com and search for “Growing dynamic Leaders - Wellington 2012” (include the quote marks) to hear first hand what four of this year’s participants had to say about the course.

Global Awards for Fundraising

Our executive officer, Noeline Holt, is excited about her forthcoming trip to visit her son in Spain. She will be overseas between 21 September and 22 October.

And we’ll have fingers and toes crossed while Noeline’s away as she’ll also be heading to Holland, where the Resource Alliance Global Awards for Fundraising are being held in Amsterdam. We’ve entered our aftersocks, following our win at the Fundraising Institute of NZ’s awards this year.

We are competing against national winners of fundraising awards from around the world.

We are currently waiting to see if we’ve reached round two in the judging, so watch out for news on our website!

Conference registration forms

Our National Conference 2013 is being held in Christchurch from 23rd – 26th May 2013.

The registration form will be sent out with the Outlook magazine in November.

Bulletin Aotearoa questionnaire

In our August issue of Bulletin Aotearoa we ran a quick survey to find out whether our monthly production schedule for Bulletin Aotearoa was still meeting readers’ needs. All but two responses supported keeping with the monthly frequency.

If you know of anyone who’d like to receive Bulletin Aotearoa, please ask them to go to our website, where they can either view it online, or click the link on the home page to subscribe to the email version.

Fire Blankets for the home

National councillor Pam Thomlinson is recommending fire blankets as a piece of safety equipment for your kitchen and home.

“This is compact and can sit on a hook in your kitchen by your stove. It is very versatile as it can be wrapped around a person, thrown over a fire on the stove and is much easier for anyone to use than a fire extinguisher. Priced around $30.

www.ruralwomen.org.nz

Good Homes for Good LivesMany people, especially older people, often put off repairs to their homes because they feel it’s too hard or it will cost too much. But the hidden cost comes when homes are cold or people are unsafe or uncomfortable as a result.

National councillor Pam Thomlinson (right) was invited to take part in a pilot scheme to produce a toolkit repair checklist, as part of the Good Homes research programme, which focuses on helping older people keep up with repairs and maintenance so they can stay in their own homes and communities for longer.

Pam says “The Householder Tool checklist is full of great ideas to increase the safety and health of the elderly and also a wide range of people, including those building their own homes.” It is also useful for future proofing your home for the retirement years or if there is an accident and one of your family members becomes incapacitated in some way.

To find out more go to www.ruralwomen.org.nz and search for Good Homes for Good Lives.

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year. Therefore I disagree with you that the scheme is not catering to general practice or rural needs.”

Mr Ryall also points to other initiatives that support the rural workforce including funding to recruit rural locums, the Rural Origin Medical Preferential Entry scheme at Auckland and Otago universities, the Rural Immersion Health Training Programme set up in 2012 and funding for the Rural Midwifery Recruitment and Retention Service.

Earlier, our request to the Minister under the Official information Act for information on how many health workers under the scheme actually work in rural areas, as opposed to other hard-to-staff locations, had failed to come up with an figures, as no such data is kept.

The scheme, which has been running for three years, is now under review as the first of the graduates become eligible for payouts towards their student loan debts.

We fully supports positive incentives for nurses, midwives and doctors and vets to work in the rural sector, and would like to see this as a clear target in the Voluntary Bonding Scheme’s review. We would also like to see positive moves to grow the number of nurse practitioners, who can play a vital role in providing frontline services in many remote communities. We’ll plan to discuss these issues with Hon. Jo Goodhew, who has responsibility for rural health.

Voluntary bondingcONTINuEd FROM PAGE 2

Have you heard about Crimestoppers - helping New Zealanders to speak up anonymously about crime?

Recently Noeline Holt and Liz Evans have had two meetings with John Perham, chairman of crimestoppers, along with Mark Evans, director of Intelligence, NZ Police, and Assistant Police commissioner, dave cliff, to discuss forming a partnership to make rural communities more aware of the latest tools available to report criminal activity.

crimestoppers - phone 0800 555111 - started here three years ago and since then has recorded 28,000 calls. Sixty percent of these are about drug-related incidents. Other calls include property theft, family violence and alcohol related offences.

Information received from callers to crimestoppers is passed on to the police, giving us an opportunity to take positive action to keep rural communities safer.

Asst. commissioner cliff has

operational responsibility for policing rural crime and rural crime prevention. Included in discussions were strategies for identifying and preventing not just dishonesty offences in rural communities, but also family violence, suicides, elder abuse, binge drinking and animal cruelty. RWNZ will continue working on these issues with crimestoppers and the NZ Police.

For more information go to www.crimestoppers-nz.org.

Safer rural communities with Crimestoppers

www.ruralwomen.org.nz

Letters

Letter from Pegasus Health

We have received a letter of thanks from Pegasus Health for the funds donated by our members for counselling services in rural areas for those affected by the Christchurch earthquakes.

“We write to express our sincere gratitude for your very generous donation. The funding has enabled us to offer mental health clinics in Lincoln, Leeston and Darfield. These areas were slected due to both patient need and difficulty patients had in accessing services in these areas.”

Rural Women NZ’s funding enabled Pegasus Health to retain a clinician who has run weekly clinics in all three locations since January 2012, and 80 people have been been seen and provided with support.

“Many of the patients seen have indicated in the follow up survey that the support given to them by their clinician has enabled them to better manage their condition and improve their lives.”

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From our patron

Women Walk the World We have received this message from Ruth Shanks, South Pacific Area President of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW)

“Congratulations!! What an amazing group of women we have in the South Pacific Area.

I now have the final totals (or close to it) raised on our special day, 29 April for “Women Walk the World”.You certainly seemed to have taken to heart the idea of this promotional exercise and as I said before I am totally amazed.”

The South Pacific Area total was an amazing $35,499.00 (Australian) approximately.

“I am so proud and will go to the ACWW Board meeting in London holding my head proudly as the Area President for the South Pacific. Once again, many, many, many thanks for your support and contribution.”

Postscript: The final tally from RWNZ for funds collected for Women Walk the World was NZ$3542.90. This was a huge success with many people expressing how much they’d enjoyed taking part. So much so that we’re planning on doing it again next year …. We’ll keep you posted!

Food For thoughtFrom a member ...Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.

Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw!

Time to give them a copy of A Good Spread perhaps!!

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Oarsome work by Marlborough rowers

Sophie MacKenzie (20), (left) and best friend Georgia Hammond (19) in Lithuania

Winning a bronze medal at the World Championships in Lithuania was ‘incredible’ says young Marlborough rower, Sophie MacKenzie, who represented New Zealand in the under 23s lightweight double sculls in July. Now she has her sights firmly set on the next Olympics.

The 20-year old, whose mother Alison and grandmother Margaret Hurley are both Rural Women members, received funding from our community Grants Fund towards her competition expenses.

We caught up with Sophie, who’s been rowing for six years, on her return to the family farm high in the Waihopai Valley.

To get to the top of her sport, Sophie trains five mornings and six afternoons a week, with Sundays off to recover.

Winning the bronze medal in Lithuania was extra special she says, because one of her best friends, Georgia Hammond, was her partner in the double skulls.

“We had dreamed of doing it together since we were 16 years old!”

Sophie says the community has got behind her wth fundraising, as well as sponsorship from local businesses and organisations.

“One of the big ones was from RWNZ, which helped hugely in getting me over to Lithuania this year. I am so grateful for your help and I really appreciate it.”

For now Sophie has her sights set on the Nationals in February and also has her fingers crossed she’ll be selected for the World’s in Austria next year.

Great work Sophie!

Fiona Hargreaves, the 2011 Vodafone Foundation “World of Difference” prize winner, and Celia Lashlie, former manager of Christchurch Women’s Prison, were inspirational speakers at the Rural Women mid-winter seminar in Fairlie in June.This sell-out annual event has a reputation for hosting speakers who challenge, inform, creatie discussion and act as a catalyst for change.

Fiona works for the 180 degrees Trust, mentoring teenagers who have behavioural issues or trouble with education, drugs and alcohol.

The trust works with 13-17 year olds and their families on an

intensive 12 month basis. Most of the teens have suffered from family violence and neglect, with the usual consequences.

Part of the 180 degrees Trust’s programme includes going on a high country trip and trying activities like horse riding, tubing and tramping, challenging the teens to find inner strength and work together.

“We show them they can achieve difficult things. Most of the ones we work with have not achieved anything.”

celia Lashlie’s powerful messages revolved around the seminar’s theme ‘The Power of Mothers’, which is also the title of her

latest book. She emphasised the importance of mothers, grandmothers, and matriarchs in keeping at-risk young people out of prison.

Celia Lashlie (left) and Fiona Hargreaves

Fairlie Seminar challenges thinking

www.ruralwomen.org.nz

Stop the Tunnel petition A trip to Wellington in August to deliver a Stop the Tunnel petition was a great opportunity for Kate Scott to put into action skills learned at last year’s Growing Dynamic Leaders course.

She and another Glenorchy member, dr Leslie Van Gelder, along with Trish Fraser, handed over a 25,000 signature petition opposing the proposed Milford dart Tunnel to Invercargill MP Eric Roy.

The group wants the department of conservation to decline Milford dart Limited’s application to build a tunnel in Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks to cut the travel time between Milford Sound and Queenstown. The petition has now been accepted by the Local Government and Environment Select committee, so that their concerns can be aired.

Later Kate, Trish and Leslie met with Hon. Bill English, the local MP for clutha and Southland, as

well as Greens and Labour party MPs, to press their case. They also had access to the Press Gallery, giving them valuable introductions to the media.

They were able to share their concerns about the 11km single lane tunnel, including safety and environmental issues and the impacts it would have on communities such as Glenorchy and Te Anau.

Leslie, who originally comes from the America, says “I appreciated that the MPs with whom we met were so accessible and honest in their feedback, and that everyone gave us useful and different information and ideas.

“We’re really hopeful, that our concerns were heard and that there’ll be a positive outcome.”

Glenorchy members Corrine Davis, Amanda Hasselman, Kate Scott, Rosie Ferris, Sue Farry and

Debbie Crompton near the proposed tunnel entrance

Stay on your feet for Safety Action WeekWe’re partnering with ACC for Safety Action Week, which runs from 1-7 October. This year’s tips are designed to reduce falls in the home, which last year caused injuries to 280,000 people.

We’re highlighting five key hazard areas and ACC is also working alongside the DIY sector to promote and offer discounts on products that encourage people to make their homes safer.

The keys things that cause falls are moss and slippery areas outside, standing on chairs and tables, tripping on power cords, slipping in puddles e.g in the bathroom, and on rugs and mats.

For more home safety tips, visit www.homesafety.co.nz

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Treasured TeddiesOver six years, Pam Hawkins, a member of our Tauranga group, has given away thousands of hand-made teddy bears to charities.

She recently received an RWNZ grant towards more wool to keep the teddy bear production line flowing.

Pam began her teddy crusade in 2006, crocheting teddies for Starship’s cancer ward, but due to their popularity now makes teddies for Ronald Mcdonald House and Tauranga city Sunrise Lions. She averages two bears a day, crocheting mostly at home.

Pam Hawkins surrounded by her woolly friends

Warm congratulations to former RWNZ national president, Jeanette McIntyre, who recently received The Life Education Trust Recognition of Service Award.Jeanette has been involved since the beginning of Life Education, which now reaches 225,000 primary and intermediate children in New Zealand every year through its mobile classrooms. It shares important messages that each child is unique, that the human body is ‘magnificent’ and we should look after it, and that we need to support and respect each other.

Life Education Trust Award for Jeanette Between 1988 and 1997 Jeanette was involved with Life Education through WdFF and the Southland Trust, which was one of the first trusts formed in New Zealand, where she helped to raise the $80,000 needed for the first classroom in New Zealand.

In 1998, along with chairman Rob Wilton, she went on to become a trustee with the fledgling trust now known as Heartland Otago Southland Trust.

Her knowledge and ability has been important to the progress of Heartland during many years of excellent service, and her Award is richly deserved.

Jeanette McIntyre

June Lambeth (right) will be the Rural Women NZ representative on the newly-formed Waikato DHB Rural Health Advisory Group.

The steering group will advise the Waikato dHB on the district’s rural health issues, activities and priorities, with a focus on the long-term

sustainability of rural health services.

The ‘think tank’ will build on the dHB’s Rural Health Action Plan by involving local rural communities and encouraging communication among stakeholders. June works as a registered nurse at Waikato hospital.

RWNZ on Rural Health Think Tank

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Samoan Women’s Committee

Samoan Women’s Committee national president (top right) encourages ladies at the home economics skills workshop held at the village of Safotu, Savaii

Jeanette McIntyre

In Samoa it’s the women’s committees in the villages that lead matters relating to education, family health and local initiatives for developing and upskilling women in rural areas. The role of the women’s committee is very similar to the role of Rural Women in New Zealand.

While holidaying in Samoa recently I was privileged to meet two wonderful ladies: TMay Saaga, national president of the Samoan Women’s committee Fuatino, and National Secretary, Safune a tunga, Tiresa Saifuneituuga, who invited us to attend one of their village workshops in the village of Safotu on the Island of Savaii.

The aim of the workshop was to re-learn basic crafts, using and recycling everyday materials and also to pass on the skills of fabric printing, cutting out and sewing of garments.

The women’s group has sourced funding from the NZ High commission’s Mission Fund to purchase eight Singer sewing machines, made in china. These machines now belong to the Safotu Village Women’s committee, which plans to hold regular sewing days so that they can make

clothing for their families, with the future potential of making garments for sale. Most importantly the workshops are giving women creative and social opportunities.

Nelson-based member, Barbara Stuart, (right), has just returned from holiday in Samoa, where she met up with a rural women’s group similar to our own. Here’s her story.

To be sure, to be sure, more than 90 Taranaki members enjoyed the craic and typical Irish fare when they got together to celebrate all things Irish for the International Day of Women in August.

Guest speaker, Mary Shepherd, delighted with her humorous talk about life in her home country.

Then the world titleholder for Irish and Scottish dancing, Morgan Banford, performed along with two of her star pupils.

Several competitions were held, including the best Irish soda bread, potato bun, potato animal characters, a collage depicting Ireland and a floral design using driftwood, with Midhirst branch the winner overall.

Shamrocks, shenanigans and spuds But the highlight of the day was the Taste of Ireland dress-up parade, featuring, amongst others, the Irish Best Spuds (right) from Midhirst branch members Barbara Proffit, Peg Fawcett, Joyce Orr, Margaret Vickers and Lorna davies, which drew a great response from the crowd.

www.ruralwomen.org.nz

New lifestyle farming group

A new Rural Women group being set up in the Waikato will focus on lifestyle farmers. The organisers are already getting plenty of interest thanks to some great marketing initiatives.

The Tamahere lifestylers group is being started by members of Rukuhia branch following a promotional event held at the local farmers’ market where they gathered the names of interested women. They are also following up on leads from National Fieldays.

Janet Williams says there are a large number of lifestyle blocks in the area, and there’s a real excitement about setting up the new group., which will focus on learning and networking opportunities, with plenty of fun along the way.

“There’s so much to learn when you take on a lifestyle block - and endless possibilities when it comes to deciding what to do with your land, what grows well in the area and how to market your produce,” says Janet.

“Though the internet is a great source of information, you can’t beat practical, hands-on learning, and the opportunity to pick the brains of an expert or

Call to vaccinate working dogs for lepto

A study by Massey University researchers has found that vaccinating working dogs is likely to be beneficial in protecting them from the Hardjo strain of Leptospirosis.

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© 2011. Rural Women New Zealand Inc (and subsequent years) All rights reserved. This publication is entitled to the full protection given by the copyright Act 1994 to the holders of the copy-right. Reproduction of all or any substantial parts of the publication is in breach of the copyright of the publisher Rural Women New Zealand Inc. This copyright extends to all forms of photo-copying and any storing of material in any kind of information retrieval system. All applications for reproduction in any form should be made to the publishers – Rural Women New Zealand Inc.

someone who’s been through the same experiences.”

The first get-together of the new group is a dinner at Mellow Manor, cambridge Highway, on Wednesday, 12th September.

The evening will include a survey to find out what activities and learning opportunities the women are interested in.

Jen Richardson fills out an RWNZ prize draw form at the Tamahere farmers’ market. The draw was a great way of collecting names and contact details for those interested in joining the new RWNZ lifestylers’group

Leptospirosis is a severe and sometimes fatal disease in dogs. Dogs may also have no symptoms, but can be a source of infection for humans and other animals.

The Massey study sampled 655 dogs, which were screened for four Leptospirosis strains: Copenhageni, Pomona, Harjo and Ballum. 10.3% of all types of dogs tested positive to serovar Copenhageni, while serovar Harjo was predominantly found in breeds used as farm working dogs.

The full article ‘A Serological Survey of Leptospiral Antibodies in Dogs in New Zealand” was published in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal – 8 August 2012 - and can be purchased by going to www.tandfonline.com/loi/tnzv20