A group of eight NSW dairywomen have achieved what few others have been able to.
This mix of elder stateswomen worked alongside a young base of rising stars — together with several charismatic keynote speakers — holding130 participants in the palm of their hands for two days during the NSW Women in Dairy (WiD) & Bale Up Conference at Merimbula recently.
With a packed program that didn’t sit on the fence when it came to farming challenges or the tough personal subjects, the Bale Up committee now has the attention of other states who want to mirror their success.
Master of ceremonies June Tarlinton, who shared her own story, represented a generation who “soldiered on” and found relief in humour. Her message was balanced out by the next generation who have spoken up when things are challenging.
Somewhere in between — at this year’s conference — they all met in solidarity, humour and empathy.
“I was surprised and amazed how many young people attended,” June said.
“And I believe it’s probably because we had a mixed and varied group of guest speakers. They were young, they were old, and they touched on some fascinating subjects that were not all entirely based on-farm.”
One of those speakers was Mary Coustas, one of Australia’s most loved actors, comedians and corporate speakers.
In 1987 she became a member of the ground-breaking stage show Wogs out of Work, where her comic creation ‘Effie’ was born. Mary endured 23 rounds of IVF before welcoming her daughter, Jamie, into the world.
Another was former city-born broadcast journalist Stephanie Trethewey, who fell in love with a farmer and moved to rural Tasmania in 2019.
Her transition to country life was a baptism of fire, which inspired her to launch Motherland — Australia’s first online rural mother’s group program. The not-for-profit organisation is on a mission to eliminate the isolation so many rural mothers face.
There was also relevant stories on-farm and within farm businesses that acknowledged the struggle, how each woman traversed their journeys, and how they came out the other end.
“I think this conference was as much about the connection of women as it was about the connection of country women,” June said.
“The strength of the industry is in diversity and that you’re welcome whether you’re a small fry or a big one. And the doors of the succession subject are starting to open, and it used to be so bloody difficult.”
Thirty-year-old Brodie Game, the NSW WiD’s vice-president, operates Blackjack Holsteins with her husband Kevin, in Bemboka, NSW, milking 330 cows year-round.
She overcame her natural instincts to shy away from the limelight to get involved.
“When we were planning for it down here, I was very nervous that people wouldn’t travel because it’s always been up north before this,” Brodie said.
“But the younger people did travel, and I think that was in response to the speakers.
“The vulnerability of a lot of speakers really resonated too. Every speaker delivered their presentations so strongly.
“It was a combination of all the little things that you hope will work, but you’re never too sure beforehand.
“It was a lot of fun and we went home on a fairly big high having made a lot of new friends. It was a turning point for us, I think.”
Brodie says they are up for the challenge for next year.
“Some of us already planning for next year, and to ride that wave and that high.
“There is a lot of inspirational women out there and social media has made it easier to have access to their amazing stories, and we all have different networks and diverse connections.”
Victorian farmer Jessica Gavenlock, from Cherrylock Cattle Co at Tallygaroopna, is well-known for how busy she is.
The American-born mother of three took the time to travel to this year’s event. She heard about it through social media, and she decided to combine it with a break from the farm.
“I went on my own, but I knew I would make friends or maybe know a few people there since we were women, and we all like working with cows,” Jessica said.
She said she got what she wanted from the two days, despite it being a busy time of year to step away from their business.
She’s since had some of her Victorian friends question her about her experience. She believes there is potential for more Victorians to come next year, and it raises the question about the movement’s potential future at a national level.
The destination for next year’s event will be in the Sydney region, and the dates are yet to be released.
Brodie said it was an easier decision to base this year’s event in Merimbula for one reason — because key committee members including Gemma Otton were on the ground.
“That’s the hard part,” Brodie said.
“Getting those people who have local knowledge about the good places to go. Gemma and I are both about 45 minutes out of Merimbula, so it gave us the chance to spend more time together.
“We just all want this event to succeed.”
Supplied by Daviesway DASCO.