Rural women's speaker to visit

Ruapehu Bulletin, 22 June 1993, Page 11

Rural women's speaker to visit

Waimarino women have been included in the itinerary of rural women networker Jenni Mitchell's New Zealand tour. Elizabeth Mortland, Community Education Officer of Ruapehu REAP, has arranged for Jenni to be in Ohakune on Thursday 24 June at Turoa Lodge (see classifieds). Jenni has been brought to New Zealand from Melbourne by Mary Walker, with fund-

ing from the Australia/New Zealand Foundation as part of their contribution to New Zealand's Suffrage Year celebrations. Mary • has worked closely with Jenni on two study tours to Victoria and is active in promoting and co-or-dinating Women in Agriculture (WAg) activities in Southland and Central Otago. Jenni was, until recently, the Head of the Victorian Rural Women's Network, part

of the Office of Rural Affairs attached to their Department of Agriculture. Jenni had to ensure that a woman's perspective was considered in all policy decisions. "Jenni is a brilliant networker of women and has much to offer her New Zealand sisters," said Mary. She has a wealth of experience in numerous fields. Her favoured strength is development of processes for women's participa-

tion in decision-mak-ing. Jenni travelled as a delegate to the 1985 United Nations Women's Forum in Nairobi, Kenya. She has other international experiences as well. While in Ohakune, Jenni will speak on issues of rural women and change; women in agriculture; women meeting challenges. If women are interested, Mary is more than willing to talk about WAg proTurn topage 10

Rural women's speaker to visit

From page 1 1 grammes she has been involved in. Both Jenni and Mary are sacrificing their normal income for the duration of the tour so a small donation is being sought to help keep the home fires burning. However, neither of them want this to penalise women who are unable to pay but who really want to come and meet them. "This is a wonderful opportunity for Waimarino women to meet interesting and active women - active in areas that concem rural women of all ages and interests," said Mrs Mortland. "Come along to listen and ask questions. Bring your friends too."