Living and working in a rural area is a rich and rewarding experience in so many ways. But it can also be isolating. When my guest today moved to Byaduk in Victoria’s Southern Grampians, finding her people was difficult. However, she went on to do more than simply make personal connections by founding the Australian brand of “Rural Women’s Day” which is celebrated during the month of October. Her local gatherings highlight the United Nations International Day of Rural Women on October 15. A lot has happened since the inaugural gathering in 2019 and Jackie joins me now to discuss:

• Jackie’s favourite place on the land.
• Her experience of moving to rural Australia half-way through year 9 and having to start from scratch in relationships.
• The challenges of moving and finding her place within the community.
• The first Rural Women’s day was in 2019, and how Jackie went about reaching out to others to establish the event.
• The impact it had for regional and rural Australian women.
• Fast forward to Rural Women’s Day 2023 and it has now expanded to 10 events, hosted by different communities around the country.
• Jackie has been surprised at how eager the women are to connect, collaborate and celebrate each other.
• Jackie shares some of the success stories to come from this, including lost-lasting personal relationships.
• Rural Women’s Day is usually hosted in October and is run over the weekend but, Jackie encourages a simple garden party with friends if there is not one locally.
• The collaboration and new ideas which have come from the women volunteering their time to host events.
• What Jackie loves most about country life.
• The most unexpected thing for Jackie since this started.
• Common misconceptions about women in rural and regional locations.
• The ultimate dream for the future of Rural Women’s Day.

We hope to see you back on the road soon, to learn more about how Australia grows on the next episode of Australian Farmers with Angie Asimus.

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Rural Women’s Day

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