We thankfully got the chance, to acknowledge & celebrate, the incredible impact women have in making our regional towns resilient & strong last Wednesday 31st July. Especially seeing their tremendous efforts, in challenging times.
So it’s a BIG thank you to all who attended the “Women Strengthening Towns” gathering in Rochester! With 65 people in attendance at the Town Hall, it was a powerful session that highlighted the unique contributions & leadership of women in their vital role of supporting our communities. The insights & stories were truly inspiring.
Read further for a summary of the wisdom, insights & ideas shared on the night…
Event Overview
The Let’s Talk About BIG Weather project aims to raise awareness about the impacts of extreme weather on the Loddon Mallee region & support the development of local solutions. This event highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of women in building & maintaining thriving communities, whether through their formal roles, informal support networks, or by simply nurturing those close by ( ….as they do! )
Highlights from the Speakers
Amanda Logie, Rochester Community House:
- Spoke about her role in supporting the community through her work at the community house, blending her paid & generous volunteer efforts
- Encouraged attendees to connect & be driven by their values, be brave in speaking out, & be kind to one another
- Highlighted the joy & passion that comes from contributing to the community, urging everyone to continue making a difference
Fiona Bradshaw, Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR):
- Acknowledged the significant leadership role women play in FRRR – funded projects across Australia
- Congratulated the women of Rochester for their recent successful project funding through FRRR
- Emphasised the importance of recognising & verbally thanking the women in our communities for their contributions
- Encouraged anyone developing or working on a project to reach out for potential funding opportunities Ph: 03 5430 2322 Email: [email protected]
Nicole Johnson & Karen Anderson, Women’s Health Loddon Mallee:
- Discussed their “Women Rising” project, which focuses on elevating women’s voices, particularly regarding their experiences during the 2022 floods https://whlm.org.au/women-rising/
- Highlighted the importance of recognizing that natural disasters often exacerbate existing gender inequalities, leading to disproportionate impacts on women
- Shared their partnership with Gender Equality Australia & their efforts to run training focused on women in disaster recovery
- Stressed the importance of listening to women’s voices & actively advocating for their needs across diverse communities
- They invited everyone to let them know what they need via the online form shared here, so they can use this to continue to advocate for them
Participant Responses
During the event, attendees were asked how we can better acknowledge, listen to, & support women in our communities to assist the important roles they play, in our towns. Their responses were categorised as follows:
General Advice
- Be there for others to talk to & make them comfortable enough to open up
- Keep the dialogue going – listen, don’t forget & don’t let governments forget
- Acknowledge people, be kind & ensure those you interact with are doing okay [eg. when someone says they’re fine, they may not be fine ( ? ) You need to check in with them further]
- Continue to actively fundraise for community events that cater to all demographics (women, men, children)
- Encourage regular social catch-ups to maintain connections & support
Needs Highlighted
- Accommodation for displaced youth/students & more public/community housing for essential workers & local emergency accommodation
- Paid volunteer leave for workers to allow them more time to contribute to community services without financial insecurity
- A local capacity building & education program to equip women to step into leadership roles such as Boards or Council positions
- Programs to help women (& men) learn how to use the internet & smartphones to increase their connectivity, independence & confidence
- Better support for older people through mentoring from younger generations, fostering connection & engagement post-trauma
- The need for a female GP in the community
- Ongoing community support for those impacted by floods who may still feel isolated
Project Ideas
- Develop a register of equipment & skills that residents can offer during disasters
- Flood/disaster response group to provide more comprehensive support during & after events
- Repurpose the Milk Factory & pool into a disability care centre with a therapy pool & possibly a drug rehab centre
- Establish women’s circles in every community to foster connection & support
- Initiate self-defence classes for women to boost their confidence & safety, especially for the elderly
- Develop a mentoring program for young people to engage with & support older generations
- Encourage the creation of a Purple & Red Revolution – emphasizing the importance of “me time” & fun for women
- Start a community awareness program to educate those who are less confident in accessing existing projects & services
- Turn the Milk Factory into a hub for boutique distilleries, cheese & homemade products to draw tourists
- Implement a local music festival or markets in the CBD to support businesses & attract visitors
Next Steps
The event highlighted the immense value of women’s contributions to their communities & generated numerous ideas for further supporting & empowering women in their roles.
Moving forward, we encourage all participants to continue developing their ideas & projects. To support this, we invite you to attend our FREE Expand Your Impact workshops in September & October. These workshops will provide valuable resources & guidance to help you turn your ideas into impactful community projects.
Register for Series 1 starting Tuesday, September 3rd: https://events.humanitix.com/eyi-big-weather-series-1
Register for Series 2 starting Thursday, October 24th: https://events.humanitix.com/eyi-big-weather-series-2
FRRR Suggested Projects to LINK with
Here are some current projects & resources suggested by FRRR that could help inspire or support your initiatives:
- Growing Food Locally: Check out “Food Next Door” in Mildura for ideas
- Women’s Circles: Contact Yanco Creek Tributaries for lessons on starting a women’s circle
- Accommodation for Displaced Youth: Explore the FRRR ANZ program for potential support
- Milk Factory Repurposing: Look into the Shared Shop in Donald, VIC, for inspiration on repurposing community spaces
Thank you to all who attended & contributed to this vital conversation!
This gathering is part of Let’s Talk About BIG Weather – raising awareness for & supporting the development of local solutions to the impacts of extreme weather. This project is supported by FRRR, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. To find out more visit www.makeachange.org.au/big-weather
