Stories wanted for The Country Web

The Number 59 and Number 60 issues of The Country Web will form part of a two-part series with the themes: ‘Pride in our past’ and ‘Faith in our Future’.

For our Number 59 Pride in our past edition we invite you to share your stories of women who have come before you – your mother, grandmother and great grandmother – women who have played a role in building family and communities across NSW.

Perhaps you can share the story of key women in your family or community who have influenced you and inspired you in some way to live the life you are living today. Maybe they have shared some great ‘pearls’ of wisdom or words of advice that you have found helpful and would like to also share with others.

We’re also looking for poems, photographs and other items of interest.

Contributions are required by 30 May for publication in September 2013.

Send your contributions to: allison.priest@dpi.nsw.gov.au or call 02 6391 3620.

Grant Funding – Stop and assess the view from your verandah: A non-profit perspective

As featured in The Country Web Number 58 Autumn 2013 edition. 

In this environment, managing and leading a non-profit is becoming more and more of a challenge, and let’s talk about the white elephant in the room … the ongoing challenge we face attracting outside funding!
Whilst many of you may be familiar with identifying and applying for funding, are you really giving justice to all the time and heartache you spend on these submissions?

There are so many angles and ways to approach a submission and each is customised depending on funder priorities. It’s amazing how much of a story just their questions alone tell us if we really sit and analyse them … something those who are more experienced will do.

However there are a few commonalities that any writer, beginner or advanced, need to include in tenders, award submissions, grants and sponsorship applications. By focusing our energies on addressing these we will be way ahead of our competitors—well, at least the ones that haven’t attended one of my workshops or aren’t reading this article! So if you apply this information you are more likely to be successful—as have hundreds of people I have trained across Australia.

The commonalities are what I call the Four Abilities TM— Accountability, Capability, Viability and Sustainability. This is a model I’ve been developing for some years. It covers the four key areas that all sponsors and funders are looking for in submissions.

So, how does that translate to your submissions? Here are a few questions to ask as you sit down to write.

1. Accountability – You will need to demonstrate that you have governance processes in place. Most funders want to ensure that you comply with statutory requirements such as conflicts of interest and confidentiality. Do you have a code of conduct or a confidentiality agreement? Do you have a register of interests you maintain? Do you have policies and procedures that are used and updated? What are your risk identification and management practices like? What about an audit? What are the accountability systems you have in place to govern the project and your organisation?

2. Viability – Are you a viable organisation? Do you have a track record for delivering similar programs? Do you have any ‘skeletons in the closet’ like funding projects that
have previously gone awry? Do you have enough cash at bank to cover liabilities—are you solvent? Is the program you are proposing really going to work in your community? Just because it worked in another community well, doesn’t mean it will work well in yours. Is the project right for the target users, have you forgotten or missed any user groups that would benefit?

3. Capability – Who is leading the project? Do they have the skills, knowledge and capacity to deliver? If you will they be available to help you out with all those tasks and
maybe extra hours … really? What experience exists on your project committee or board, do you have a project manager? Why should your organisation receive funding over another organisation—what makes you better? Do you have better relationships with the target group(s) and evidence of this with examples?

4. Sustainability – How will the project continue beyond the funding you are receiving? How will the outcomes and outputs you have identified continue beyond the funding? Will this project really benefit your organisation, is it going to help you become more sustainable? If not, it may sound like a “cash-grab” so why are you doing it?

By addressing these points in the relevant questions throughout your application you will demonstrate that your organisation and the project is a low risk and that you are the best organisation to partner with the funding body to achieve their/your goals.

For more information on the Four Abilities; Governance; funding and other non-profit issues including free courses and assistance: www.nataliebramble.com.au .We also recommend Easy Grants newsletter for news on funding opportunities and grants: www.ourcommunity.com.au 

*Natalie is a Business/NFP Consultant, NFP Governance Specialist and Coach, Engaging Trainer and Facilitator. With over 15 years in the non-profit funding world as an assessor on grant, award and tender panels Natalie also writes, trains and mentors others and personally holds a 92% success rate.

Search for ‘Hidden Treasures’ in rural NSW

Nominating a rural woman for the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll is a great way to celebrate rural women from across NSW who give so much of their time to improving our communities and neighbourhoods.
You can nominate a friend, family member, colleague, community worker – any rural woman who you believe makes your community a better place to live.
Pictured is Jennifer Miller with 2012 Hidden Treasurer recipient Jo Newton and Karen Tromp.

NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson today called on rural communities to nominate women volunteers for the 2013 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll, launched today as part of Volunteer Week (National Volunteer Week 13-19 May).
 
“National Volunteer Week celebrates the millions of everyday Australians who give their time so generously to others in communities and neighbourhoods across Australia,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
 
“The Hidden Treasures Honour Roll is a great way to formally acknowledge the efforts of rural, regional and remote women and recognise the important role of volunteering in the community.
 
“Volunteers carry out a range of invaluable jobs in our communities, including fundraising, delivering meals to the elderly, fighting fires, driving patients, mentoring the young, creating community artworks or coordinating events.
 
“The annual Hidden Treasures Honour Roll creates a lasting archive and helps to discover inspirational quiet achievers in community organisations across the State.”
 
The theme for 2013 National Volunteers Week is ‘Thanks A Million.’
 
“The NSW Government values all volunteer contributions and is proud to honour these women through the Hidden Treasures Honour Roll,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
 
“I encourage anyone who knows of a valued female volunteer in their rural community to nominate them for this worthwhile project.”
 
All women nominated will be included in the 2013 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll, which will be launched at the annual NSW Rural Women’s Gathering at Scone, on October 25 – 27.
 
To nominate a rural woman, complete your nomination online at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/rwn or you can request a nomination form by emailing rural.women@dpi.nsw.gov.au or contacting the Centre for Volunteering on 02 9261 3600 or the Rural Women’s Network on 02 6391 3620.
 
Nominations close Friday 16 August 2013.

2012 NSW Farmers of the Year

Alison and Peter Campbell (pictured with daughter Ainslie) farm a mixed cropping sheep enterprise

As featured in The Country Web Number 58 Autumn 2013 edition

Peter and Alison Campbell farm a 1550 ha mixed cropping sheep enterprise at “Avondale” 17 km west of Henty, NSW. The Campbells rotate their wheat/canola cropping program with lucerne/clover/cocksfoot pastures. At any one time cropping accounts for about 70 per cent of the farm area, and a merino self-replacing flock of 2500 ewes and 1000 wethers is run on the pastures.

The farm is managed with a view to maximising profit while maintaining the sustainability of the natural resource base. In the last three years canola has become the most important crop because of its profitability, but several steps have been taken to reduce the inherent risk associated with growing canola, including: using hybrid varieties; focusing on moisture storage prior to sowing; using aerial seeding clovers as a green manure crop; using price risk management tools; and keeping other enterprises in the mix to balance income.

The livestock enterprise is a self-replacing merino flock with 30 per cent of ewes joined to terminal sires. The sheep are grazed rotationally on the pastures over summer and autumn and set stocked for lambing in August. Wheat stubbles are grazed but not canola stubbles, and when groundcover limits are reached the sheep are put into feedlots.

Maintaining groundcover and soil fertility and stability are important factors in the Campbells’ agronomic management. Over time they have moved from direct drilling to zero till—and are currently sowing with a disc seeder. Peter and Alison developed a whole farm plan 20 years ago and it has been implemented over that time. Water flow is controlled over the whole farm with the use of contour banks running into grassed up waterways and then into dams. The waterways are fenced off, not grazed and act as a filter for nutrient runoff. Windbreaks and shelter belts have been placed strategically around the farm, laneways for sheep movement have been constructed, and reserves have been set aside and improved with the addition of understory for wildlife protection. In addition, with the help of a Landcare grant, a disused railway bisecting the property has been fenced off and trees planted. This has resulted in a marked increase in small bird numbers such as robins and finches.

Risk management is an important part of the enterprise with strategies in place to reduce the impact of drought, disease natural disasters and market downturns. For drought preparedness, the Campbells conserve moisture by summer spraying of weeds, retaining full stubble, storing grain and hay for stock, and carrying two age groups of wethers to off-load quickly if necessary. To manage against disease they regularly monitor crops and flock health and treat where necessary. Price risk management and enterprise diversification are important strategies for coping with market downturns.

Peter and Alison have been involved in their industry and community in a number of very worthwhile roles. Peter was on the NSW Farmers Council (1991–94), chair and member southern region Grains Research & Development Corporation advisory group, on the Lockhart Shire Council (1995–2008) including as Deputy Mayor, heavily involved with Landcare, founding chairman Eastern Riverina Merino Breeders Association, and is currently Director of Henty Community Club, and Henty Rotary Club, since 1983. Alison is a past Chair of Henty School P&C, past secretary Billabong P&C, current chair catering committee of Henty Field Days, and Director and Secretary of Henty Bendigo Community Bank. For more information about the Farmer of the Year Award see: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/aboutus/news/events/foty/2012

Community Kitchen Connects Narrandera

As featured in The Country Web Number 58 Autumn 2013 edition

Ashley Murphy, a 21 year-old farm hand from Narrandera, had an idea. Greatly involved with his local community he had visions of restoring their town’s community kitchen to create a healthy and positive environment for the local youth.

21 year old Ashley Murphy realises his vision for a community kitchen

‘I’ve been involved with the church youth group since I was a kid. I’m now a youth leader and through this work I’ve seen areas of need in the community, especially amongst young people. I really wanted to build on some of our current youth programs and that’s when I thought about the kitchen idea.’

Some of the social issues facing Narrandera are financial hardship and the instance of social breakdown amongst families, often brought about by the impact of long droughts and flood. Current programs run by the church focus on instilling positive family values, developing life skills and healthy social interaction amongst children.

‘The aim of the community kitchen is to improve some of the poor nutrition and irregular meal patterns that some of the kids in the community have. Simple things like sharing a family meal, preparing meals together, and basic cooking skills are important skills for everyone to have.’

Narrandera’s old community kitchen, housed in the town’s old cinema as part of the local community church, was out-dated and not compliant with health and safety standards. Demonstrating initiative beyond his years, Ashley applied for a Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF) Community Futures Grant, and was successful. He was awarded $25 000 to kick-start his project, which was completed in December 2012. After being awarded the grant Ashley was dealt another surprise. Bunnings, supplier of the large demonstration kitchens in the Woolworths fresh food dome at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, generously offered to donate the kitchen to a rural community, and there was clearly no better home for it than the Narrandera Community Kitchen project.

‘I was overwhelmed with Bunnings’ generous offer and the quality and size of the kitchen.’ The donated kitchen included all of the cabinets, cook tops, a sink, oven and microwave, and a smaller outdoor kitchen. Shortly after the show the kitchens were packed and freighted to Narrandera, where they have now been installed. ‘The kitchen is really modern. It’s such an improvement on what we had before; it just looks great.’

With the RASF’s $25 000 grant Ashley and his team were able to replace the rusty roof on the hall that houses the kitchen, as well as reline the walls and install lighting and a new floor. The kitchen was officially opened on 1 February 2013 by Michael Milner, Chair of the RAS Foundation.

Despite the project idea coming from Ashley, the humble man is quick to point out it has been a team effort. He says the project has brought many people from across the community together, from the youth group, local flooring company, electrician and the entire church community.’So many people have lent a hand and hammered a few nails, painted a wall, wired in new lighting and maneuvered the new kitchen cupboards and appliances into place. Everyone has donated their time.’

Jocellin Jansson, Executive director of the RASF, visited Ashley to see how the kitchen was coming to life. She says, ‘The project is an inspiration to anyone living in a rural community. The kitchen and refurbished hall are cause for great celebration and are testament to one young man’s quiet leadership, an enthusiastic committee and a community with a big heart.’

Ashley has big plans for the kitchen, including a weekly ‘soup night’ to provide a healthy meal for families, as well as cooking classes for young people to learn basic skills. He says the broader community will also benefit fom the new facility with groups being able to use it for events such as school functions, dance classes and art festivals. ‘In a small rural community such as ours, to have programs and activities that bring families together is great. I hope the kitchen will become a place for young people to come and either spend time with their families, or learn some new skills that will help them in the future.’

Ashley admits the project has also taught him some new skills and increased his self-confidence. ‘It’s a really good feeling to do something for your community that you know will benefit and help so many people. I encourage other young rural people to think about what they could do for their community and just have a go. It’s amazing what can be achieved and the difference you can make.’

If you have an idea to revitalise your community why not apply for a RASF Community Futures Grant. For details visit:  http://www.rasf.org.au/

Mens Matters with Greg Millan – How to build a Health Plan with your doctor

Stay in control of your health

As featured in The Country Web Number 58 Autumn 2013

It’s important to develop and maintain a good working relationship with your main doctor in life, who is normally a GP but can also include any number of specialist doctors that we become involved with through our life. Sometimes men may wonder what things they need to tell their doctors or what might be more indicative of a larger problem. Women are usually more familiar with the health system as they spend more time with doctors discussing their problems and children’s issues. So we are not meant to naturally know how best to get on with our doctor. You should find a GP who provides care that is scientific, considerate and compassionate. You need to stay in control of your health by fully understanding the nature of any health problem and the mechanisms and potential hazards of treatments or side effects of drugs. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or request more consultations for complicated problems. Try to develop an overall Health Plan with your doctor—most men have a maintenance plan for their car or computer so why not develop a health plan with your doctor to increase your chances of maintaining a long and healthy life.

If you have a good working relationship with your doctor it helps to make sure that you’re being as open as you can be and presenting all information in a way that your doctor can use effectively. It’s a two-way street—your doctor isn’t a ‘mind reader’ —keep him or her informed of what’s happening for you. When consulting a doctor present a detailed and well organised account of symptoms and relevant past history. Before you arrive at the doctor’s you might want to write down symptoms and history, current medications and dosages, plus any questions or things you want to talk about. If there’s more than one problem begin with the most important one. Bring your concerns up early in your visit and take notes as it is easy to forget key information if you are feeling unwell.

Some men have been raised to be self-reliant and to conceal weakness and pain as they think showing and talking about this is unmanly. Your doctor is there to help you and needs to know what is going on—so talking about all your symptoms, feelings and providing him with accurate pain levels is the sensible way to go. Don’t minimise your symptoms as this makes it much harder for a doctor to effectively assess and treat you. Be honest and build your health plan together with your doctor.

Greg Millan is a Men’s Health Consultant. To contact Greg phone/sms 0417 772 390, email: greg@menshealthservices.com.au or see http://www.menshealthservices.com.au

An industry that’s lucrative, sexy and most importantly dripping with integrity…

Some-one said to me a few years ago if we are going to attract the best and the brightest to farming our industry needs to be seen as ‘lucrative, sexy and… most importantly … dripping with integrity’. I believe if the industry can continue to attract people of the calibre of Jo and the Young Farming Champions alumni we may just get there! STEPH COOMBES – Ausagventures Blog

Art4Agriculture guest blogger and 2013 RAS Rural Achiever for NSW, Jo Newton shares her story about how she got involved in agriculture.

Jo Newton with a willing participant in her PhD research

Here’s an excerpt from her guest blog – The suburban sheep stud…

When agriculture makes the mainstream news, too often the stories the general public are exposed to are negative; floods, fires, farm injuries. Rarely does the news celebrate our success. As a sector we need to continue to build relationships with our communities to better enable us to tell our stories and share agriculture’s successes and celebrate the good things. My agricultural journey began thanks to a suburban sheep stud. I’m proof that you don’t need to be born into agriculture to live and breathe all things ag and take great pride in telling my agricultural story to anyone who will listen.

I encourage everyone with a story about agriculture to start telling it, to help us celebrate and spread the word about agriculture.

The Country Web No: 58- Views from the Verandah

Make yourself a cuppa and take some time to sit and relax on your verandah while you immerse yourself in this latest issue of The Country Web, themed Views from the Verandah.

In this issue we asked readers to tell us a little about themselves - where they lived, what they do, and what they love. The result is a wonderful collection of stories about life in rural New South Wales.

A special feature of this edition are stories written by Sophie Hansen as part of the One Farm Day … Stories from beyond the farm gate series. These stories give readers a unique view of life beyond the farm gate – from shearers to fruit pickers and beekeepers. From the highs to the lows, mud, dust and all, you’ll read about men and women working in all kinds of jobs and share the story of their farming day. You’ll read about Country Chef & Producer Anna Wong, Farm Manager Wendy Bowman, Egg Farmer Todd Ferguson and many more rural identities.

We showcase the 2013 NSW-ACT RIRDC Rural Women’s Award finalists: Vivien Thomson – an author who has spent 25 years in the rural fire industry, and Isobel Knight – a businesswoman who has made a career out of helping farmers through succession planning complexities.

Our regular Parenting column includes a quick guide for parents on teenagers and alcohol.

Our Women Leaders showcase includes a great article by Mariette Rups-Donnelly titled “Step up, stand out and be heard!” In this article she shares her insights and strategies to encourage women to step up and stand out.

A new regular feature is the ‘Communities in focus’ column written by Natalie Bramble. In her column Natalie talks about the ongoing challenge that non-profit groups face attracting outside funding.

Succession planning specialist wins

Vivien Thomson AFSM (2013 NSW-ACT RIRDC Rural Women’s Award Runner-up) with Minister for Primary Industries The Hon Katrina Hodgkinson and Isobel Knight (2013 NSW-ACT RIRDC Rural Women’s Award Winner) at the Award Gala Dinner held at Parliament House Sydney on Tuesday 26 March.

Wednesday 26 March 2013

A succession planner with skills in law, business and psychology has been awarded the State’s top honour for rural women by the Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson.

Isobel Knight, from Loomberah near Tamworth, edged out Vivien Thomson AFSM (Australian Fire Service Medal), from Muttama in the Riverina, to win the 2013 NSW-ACT Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award.

“Isobel was selected from an impressive field which displayed the resourcefulness, determination and creativity we have come to recognise as the hallmark of rural women across Australia,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“The success of the family farm often hinges on the strength of the family, so Isobel’s skills have clearly been invaluable in this very challenging field.

“Isobel’s company ‘proAGtive’ has worked with more than 400 individual families to navigate the complex field of succession planning and so her work has made a positive impact on many farming communities across NSW.”

The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award celebrates the important contribution of women to rural industries, and provides a bursary of $10,000 to the winner to realise her vision for rural Australia. Ms Knight indicated that she will use the Award bursary to develop a user-friendly online succession planning platform that is affordable, accessible and flexible. She hopes this will inspire farming families to start the succession planning process and encourage more young people to return to family farm businesses helping to sustain and create stronger, more vibrant rural communities.

Ms Hodgkinson also congratulated this year’s runner up, Vivien Thomson.

“Vivien has a strong commitment to primary industries and rural communities, having been involved in the fire fighting industry for over 25 years,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“Isobel and Vivien are both deserving of recognition through this prestigious award and I congratulate them for their outstanding achievements and valuable contribution to Australia’s agricultural sector,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

Isobel will now compete for the national RIRDC Rural Women’s Award to be announced in October in Canberra.

Countdown to the big announcement!

2013 NSW-ACT RIRDC Rural Women’s Award finalist Vivien Thomson, Muttama, with a draft of her soon to be published book ‘Ashes of the Firefighters’, and poddy lambs and ewes. Photo Courtesy of The Land

We’re getting very excited here at the RWN with only days left before we find out who the winner of the 2013 NSW-ACT RIRDC Rural Women’s Award is.

The announcement will be made by The Hon. Katrina Hodgkinson MP at a special Gala Dinner being held at Parliament House Sydney on Tuesday 26 March in celebration of our finalists.

In the lead-up to the big event, Kim Chappell and Hayley Sorensen from The Land talk to Isobel Knight and Vivien Thomson about their plans for the future and what has them all fired up!

Read the full stories online: Making succession a talking point at Tamworth and Finalists fired up by future plans