Rural women raise a glass

By Lua Ikenasio

Nov 8, 2024

Women from around the region made their way to the Lockington Community Centre on Thursday, November 7 to celebrate rural women.

The Ladies Day lunch was hosted in honour of the International Day of Rural Women last month.

All chairs were filled on the day with rural women from around the region. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

Around 80 women filled the centre to enjoy some bubbles, great food and each other’s company.

Kate Lee, Liz Walkley, Mary Gray enjoyed complimentary bubbles before the program began Photo by Lua Ikenasio

Lockington Neighbourhood House co-ordinator Tanya McDermott said the day gave rural ladies an opportunity to celebrate their hard work.

“I hope that it's an opportunity for [rural women] to just celebrate themselves because they don't tend to celebrate themselves or to take a breath too often,” she said.

“It’s about getting together with your friendship group and peers and just celebrating what a lucky life we have in this beautiful country and living in a rural area.”

Jenny Nola, Victorian President of the CWA and Tanya McDermott, Lockington Neighbourhood House Co-ordinator Photo by Lua Ikenasio

The event's guest of honour was Victorian CWA president Jenny Nola who emphasised the importance of rural women and spoke about her experience during her Q and A session.

The attendees received gift bags from the Lockington Bush Nursing Centre and a 10 per cent discount voucher from Parsons in Rochester.

Rural women took the chance to celebrate themselves. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

The BraVan founder Helen Byrne was also in attendance and gifted eight lucky women vouchers valued at $150 each.

The BraVan specialises specifically in helping rural women around Australia find bras that fit them best.

Mrs Nola said that rural women are special and should be proud of their work ethic.

Tanya McDermott interviewed Jenny Nola during a Q and A session. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

“There’s still something special about the outlook of women who live in rural areas, they’re usually really friendly, they’re giving and they look out for one another,” she said.

“Rural women are not just somebody who's in the kitchen and a farm ... they run the farm as well as their partners, and then they have a day job to help bring in income.

“The work ethic of a country rural woman is just something to behold and you should all be really proud of that.”