The Buzz (Autumn - May 2014) low res · #WIAA100+! Amazing!women!making!adifference!to!rural!Australiafromthe! paddock!to!the!boardroom!have!beenrecognised!in!the!Women!in! Australian!Agribusiness!100

The Buzz AWiA’s quarterly newsletter

Autumn | May 2014

Inside this issue: Submission to the Issues Paper 1 Presidents Report 1 General Meeting 3 PNG Trip 4 Conference and Annual General Meeting 5 #WIAA100 6 Marcus Oldham travel scholarship for AWiA Members 6 Scholarships, grants and opportunities 7 RIRDC Rural Women’s Awards 7 Vice Presidents Report 8 NRWC Update 9 A note from our Corporate Sponsor Prime Super 9 Board contact details 9

inform | influence | innovate | invest

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Presidents Report I’m sitting here in my office on the farm, as the dawn dew glistens on another glorious Autumn morning. I have to admit I’m typing rather hastily to keep warm, pausing only to huddle over my coffee and reflect upon my first five months as President. It’s hard to believe that so much time has passed since my appointment as President, and how much we’ve managed to squeeze into these relatively few months. The hard work and dedication the Board put into our face-‐to-‐face meeting in Adelaide last December has forged strong working relationships and enabled us to form a solid foundation to build upon. The ‘storming and forming’ phase brought about some dynamic discussion about the ways in which we communicate with AWiA Members and what it is that we want to achieve in our 21st year since incorporation. …continued on Page 2

Submission to the Issues Paper Australian Women in Agriculture have submitted a written response to the Issues Paper as the first stage in the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper. The submission can be downloaded from the Published Submissions section of the White Paper website. http://agriculturalcompetitiveness.dpmc.gov.au/ This submission aligns with AWiA’s commitment to ensuring that our Members have the opportunity to influence the agricultural agenda. The in-‐depth consultation with AWiA Members included facilitated teleconferences, face-‐to-‐face discussions and interactive social media discussions. The White Paper will drive the long-‐term agricultural policies of the government and ensure Australia’s agriculture sector remains a significant contributor to the economy and local communities.


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…continued from Page 1 And whilst we have many more goals to kick, the Board hopes you have been enjoying the more regular and effective communication through the fortnightly Members Update. This is the first stage in a number of changes to communications the Board aims to make. With a new form of social media cropping up almost daily, we must ensure that we are connecting AWiA Members in a relevant and proactive way, but also keeping in mind that some of our Members are not online. Striking the balance between delivering concise information and also sharing stories about our AWiA Members is our ultimate aim! Our General Meeting on Saturday, 29th March 2014 was one such opportunity for AWiA Members to meet up and connect at Dookie College in Victoria – see Page 3. Aside from the official Meeting duties, Members enjoyed a campus tour and actively participated in workshop to provide feedback into our submission to the Issues Paper for the White Paper on Agricultural Competitiveness – see Page 1 with examples of our social media engagement to the left of this article. Another exciting opportunity that I was able to take part was a recent trip to Papua New Guinea as co-‐hosts to a leadership capacity building workshop with PNG Women in Agriculture. The four-‐day workshop was facilitated with funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (formerly AusAID) through Charles Darwin University. This trip to the New Guinea Islands region was not only a wonderful way to connect with our PNG sister organisation but a terrific trip back for me personally, having lived in the area for two years in 2010-‐2011! For further information see Page 4. All of these events and opportunities form part of our underlying objectives – inform, influence, innovate, invest. Through regular and relevant communications, AWiA Members are informed and well-‐equipped to influence the agricultural agenda. As an innovative organisation, we are able to respond to and catalyse change as leaders in the agricultural industry. And to ensure a positive future for the industry, we invest in our AWiA Members through various learning and leadership opportunities. So, watch this space! AWiA is at an exciting phase of regeneration and we ask you all to connect with us and get involved. Looking forward to catching up with you in the coming months either virtually or at our AWiA Conference and AGM which will be hosted in Melbourne on Friday, 15th to Sunday, 17th August 2014 – see Page 5. Until then, I’m off to brew another cup of PNG coffee to keep warm! Talk soon, Liz Elizabeth Brennan AWiA President and WA Board Representative

The Buzz | Autumn | May 2014

Examples of AWiA’s social media engagement for our submission to the Issues Paper


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General Meeting An AWiA General Meeting was held on Saturday, 29th March at Melbourne University’s Dookie Campus with AWiA President Elizabeth Brenna joining the meeting by teleconference. All the AWiA members who attended made it a lively day, and the planners and supporters made it possible: thank you to Marion Rak, Val Lang, Charlie Aves, Rowan O'Hagan, Rien Silverstein and Georgie Jaudzemis. The day included a tour of the campus, including the new robotic dairy, and presentations on agricultural education training and opportunities through Dookie and beyond, thanks to Ros Gall (Dookie Head of Campus) and Leigh Kildey (program delivery). Claudia Gebert and other Dookie students expressed their passion for agriculture in the future. It was very inspiring to hear their comments as young women involved in agricultural studies. Rowan O’Hagan and Jill Briggs facilitated an interactive session on the Competiveness Agricultural White Paper. Information from this session contributed to the combined AWiA members’ submission. Rien Silverstein and Sarah Parker further contributed with a follow up presentation to a local Taskforce meeting on Wednesday 9th at Park Lake. AWiA greatly appreciated the Goulburn Valley Women in Horticulture generously ‘hosting’ the venue for the AWiA meeting.

AWiA General Meeting at Dookie College, Victoria. Further photos can be found on our AWiA Facebook Page.


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PNG Trip AWiA President Elizabeth Brennan and members Cathy McGowan MP, Joy Deguara and Val Lang recently joined women in Papua New Guinea to visit areas around the town of Rabaul, in East New Britain Province in the northern New Guinea Islands. The AWiA members also participated in a workshop at the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) in nearby Kerevat. Rabaul is a significant deep-‐water port in PNG but in 1994 two volcanoes devastated the town, forcing many communities to relocate from their traditional land. One community deeply affected is the Matupit people who have continued to live at the base of the still active Mt Tavurvur where layers of volcanic dust depress the lush green of their previously tropical surrounds. The Matupit people now help to support their community by harvesting fish and the large eggs of the Megapode birds which nest in the still warm volcanic ash. The women of Matupit community welcomed the AWiA visitors with stories, beautiful singing and a meal of vegetables, dried fish and large boiled eggs.

…continued on Page 5

LHS to RHS (standing): Elizabeth Melchior, Dr Norah Omot, Thomasina Umue, Annette Mwayawa, Eliza Ginnivan, Maria Linibi, Kathleen Natera, Kwadile Tuan, Cathy McGowan MP, Serah Kakulai, Elizabeth Brennan, Annastasia Kawi Koima, Joy DeGuara, Elizabeth Ling, Naomi Mwayawa, Val Lang, Josephine Saul Maora, Emily Flowers and Tania Paul LHS to RHS (seated): Kiteni Kurika, Lady Nerrie Tololo, Elizabeth Rava, Florence Mormor and Mary Tarabu Absent: Nancy Daingo, Dr Amanda Watson and Lanieth Aua


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Conference and AGM The AWiA 2014 Conference and AGM is to be held in the Melbourne CBD from Friday, 15th to Sunday, 17th August. It will commence with pre-‐dinner drinks and presentations on the Friday evening. It will continue through the Saturday with an early breakfast tour, conference workshops, and AGM and a Celebratory Dinner in the evening. The Sunday will include the AWiA General Meeting with member activities continuing until lunchtime. Keep these dates free and visit the AWiA website as details become available. If you wish to assist with planning or at the event, please contact Board Members Val Lang or Marion Rak.

…continued from Page 4 The AWiA members then joined eighteen PNG women at an Effective Leadership and Decision-‐Making workshop from the 5th to the 8th May. AWiA, along with Papua New Guinea Women in Agriculture Development Foundation (PNG WiADF), were ‘Industry Partners’ for this workshop at NARI in Keravat. This workshop was part of a series which make up the Women’s Leadership, Communication and Decision Making Project -‐ a Charles Darwin University, Darwin NT, project with Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (formerly AusAID) funding. We met again with Maria Linibi, President of PNGWIADF and Dr Norah Omot, Director of NARI. Both Maria and Norah have attended AWiA events in Australia, and were able to give us updates on all of AWiA’s other PNG women in agriculture contacts. We were introduced to many new foods and saw NARI research into the processing of the local ‘Galip Nut’, a tropical nut with a taste between that of an almond and a macadamia. We interacted with professional women in leadership positions in PNG grower associations, tertiary education institutes, and government: including those working in the Cocoa and Coconut Institute, quarantine, farmer extension, research and agricultural education. We were made very welcome. We learnt a lot about PNG professional women and about ourselves: our values and future directions and how much we have in common. We were amazed at the innovative and effective use PNG women make of their Mobile Phones: transferring phone credits, sharing market information, lesson plans for schools and a trial on information to stabilise women in childbirth for transfer out of remoter areas. We are looking forward to keeping in contact with the group by email, and hearing how the women implement projects they planned during the workshop. We are hopeful that several PNG women are able to attend the AWiA Annual Conference in Melbourne in August: so that we can return their very warm hospitality. PNG WIADF in an associate member of AWiA.

AWiA Members and Victorian RIRDC Rural Women’s Award Winner, Julie Aldous LHS to RHS: Elaine Paton AO, Yvonne Jennings, Georgie Jaudzemis, Rowan O'Hagan, Julie Aldous and Val Lang AM See Page 7 for further information about the RIRDC Rural Women’s Awards.

Mt Tavurvur, East New Britain Province, PNG

#WIAA100 Amazing women making a difference to rural Australia from the paddock to the boardroom have been recognised in the Women in Australian Agribusiness 100 (WIAA100). And of the top 100, 13 are AWiA Members! Close to 200 nominations were received for the inaugural WIAA100 – a joint initiative of Emerald Grain and Fairfax Media run with support from Syngenta and designed to shine a spotlight on some of the industry’s most influential females and their vision for agriculture. The final 100 includes seven women who stood out to the judges as outstanding in the categories of:

§ Outstanding contributor to rural Australia § Outstanding leader in agribusiness § Outstanding emerging leader § Outstanding young achiever § Outstanding leader on-‐farm § Outstanding contributor to policy development § Outstanding work in the community

Emerald Grain managing director John Murray said Emerald’s vision for the WIAA 100 was to highlight the important work of women in agriculture to encourage more women to pursue careers in the field.


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Travel scholarship for leadership program Marcus Oldham College in conjunction with AWiA are pleased to offer two travel awards for women to attend the Marcus Oldham Leadership Program from 29 June to 4 July 2014. Marcus Oldham College is an independent tertiary institution established in Geelong Victoria in 1962. It has built a reputation for providing quality education Whether in the boardrooms of the world, or your local school hall, rural Australia needs leaders. For nearly a decade, Marcus Oldham has been working to encourage and assist rural women to participate equally in this challenge. This Award will provide up to a combined total of $1000 annually to two rural women to travel to the Rural Leadership Program at Marcus Oldham College in Geelong, Vic. Rural women who have the potential to contribute as leaders in their communities and industries are invited to apply. Applicants must have a commitment to promoting the role of rural women in leadership. They must have a demonstrated desire to develop their leadership skills, self-‐confidence and personal effectiveness. The two Travel Awards cover travel costs to and from the college up to a combined total of $1000. Successful applicants are responsible for meeting their course fees. Applicants must register simultaneously for entry into the Rural Leadership Program using the course nomination forms For application forms visit the Marcus Oldham College website www.marcusoldham.vic.edu.au Please ensure that your application forms reach the College by the closing date, being Friday 23rd May 2014. An industry selection panel will then review the applications and advise accordingly.

State and Territory Network events The Tasmanian Women in Agriculture Gatherings are held every second year, and this year will be from 23 – 25 May 2014 in Circular Head with a theme of Making Connections. For further information, visit http://twia.org.au/ The NSW Rural Women's Gathering will be held in Coolamon NSW: 12, 13 & 14 September 2014. The chosen theme, Heritage with Heart, reflects the unique culture, history and environment of the Coolamon community. For more information go to http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/rwn The Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network (QRRRWN) state conference is held in a different rural, regional or remote town each year. This year it’s Charters Towers 16-‐18 September, with the theme Women of the Worlde, visit http://qrrrwnonline.wildapricot.org/conference


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RIRDC National Rural Women’s Awards The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s pre-‐eminent Award for rural women. The Award identifies and supports emerging leaders and change agents who have the capability and resources to drive innovation, productivity and sustainability within primary industries, and build economic and social development within rural communities. The Award acknowledges that women offer a unique approach to leadership, which involves connecting and collaborating to effect change and influence, often without the need for position or authority. The Award also encourages primary industries and rural communities to embrace diversity in leadership to successfully navigate future challenges. AWiA congratulates all who participated this year, and was pleased to see the number of AWiA members who supported this award by entering it or by attending RIRDC award functions. The 2014 State winners will attend the 2014 RIRDC Rural Women's Award National Celebratory Dinner, to be held on 24 September at Parliament House in Canberra. The National winner will be announced at this event. Nominations for the 2015 Rural Women's Award will open on 1 August 2014 and close on 31 October 2014. For further information visit www.rirdc.gov.au/rural-‐women’s-‐award

Other scholarships, grants and opportunities Australia Cotton Australia are offering 10 Conference placements for 2014 at $1500 per student for first, second or third year undergraduate students studying agriculture, agricultural science or similar, and 2 scholarships for 2014 at $5000 per student for development of a significant unit of work related to the cotton industry and attendance at the Cotton Conference. Closing: 9th June 2014 http://cottonaustralia.com.au/cotton-‐classroom/scholarships-‐available The AAAS/Coca-‐Cola Agriculture Scholarships are open to any Australian citizen or permanent resident who is studying a topic related to Agriculture at University; Is a current member of an Australian Agricultural or Show Society. $2,000 http://www.agriculturescholarship.com.au/applicationform.htm Ian Potter Foundation Grant Seeker – various closing dates depending on need http://www.ianpotter.org.au/grant-‐seekers FRRR ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants -‐ Applications close 13 June 2014. This year, FRRR is providing a total of up to $100,000 to assist not-‐for-‐profit organisations in regional Australian communities to ‘adopt’ and act on one of eight innovative Heywire project ideas: 1. Beating The Blues In The Bush -‐ Mental Health 2. All Women -‐ Gender Equality 3. E-‐Read -‐ Migration 4. The Tools Of Survival -‐ First Aid and Education 5. One Mob -‐ Multiculturalism 6. TRACTA -‐ Try Rural Australian Careers, Try Agriculture 7. Mirror Mirror On The Screen -‐ Drugs and Alcohol 8. "It's OK to Ask" Day -‐ Community Spirit and Volunteering http://www.frrr.org.au/cb_pages/frrr_abc_heywire_youth_innovation_grants.php Queensland only In 2014 up to four Rural Education Leadership scholarships will be awarded to principals or deputy principals working in Queensland state schools in rural and or remote communities. Applications close 23 May 2014 http://education.qld.gov.au/hr/recruitment/teaching/rural-‐ed-‐leadership-‐scholarship.html Equity scholarships through QLD University of Technology – Brisbane, providing $3 million each year to support students from low-‐income, rural and remote, or socially disadvantaged backgrounds are no available to provide scholarships, bursaries and free computers to low-‐income students. For more information visit https://www.qut.edu.au/about/equity


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Vice Presidents Report Warm salutations to you all. I have enjoyed chatting and getting to know many of the QLD members, and appreciate the time that some of you have taken to share with me your concerns ranging from drought, financial hardship, issues with succession planning, environmental/pollution and the need for training opportunities in financial management and corporate governance. AWiA welcomes and encourages your continued thoughts and feedback. In response we are in the process of applying for and organising responsive programs. As I write my report, it is lovely to overlook paddocks of emerging wheat and take in the beauty of the lovely green hills surrounding our wheat farms, I hope that many of you are also able to enjoy cooler temperatures and some young lush vegetation on your properties as parched landscapes respond to the much needed February/March rain events. In what continues to be and extraordinary dry period, where most of QLD and NSW have experienced below average rainfall from Oct 2012 – April 2014, we anxiously await the much needed follow up rains, yet remain nervous at the predictions of an El Niño event for 2014, at 70%.

Understandably, it will take time and considerable rain to ease the pain and difficulty of those gripped by crippling drought. With 80% of Queensland drought declared eligible primary producers may apply for drought support measures ranging from Interim Household allowance, rebates for water-‐related infrastructure on top of what they can access under the Queensland Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate, low interest rate concessional loans and QRAA productivity loans (First Start and Sustainability Loans). For more information see http://www.qraa.qld.gov.au/current-‐programs/Productivity-‐Loans/sustainability-‐loan Through this extreme time of hardship, I encourage many QLD communities to keep an eye out for the upcoming series of mental health support workshops aimed at helping drought recovery. At times like these, it is important to be aware of and assist family and friends who may be at risk of depression, suicide and other mental health issues as a result of drought. More information at: www.health.qld.gov.au/news/media_releases/2014/january-‐2014/140124-‐drought-‐workshops.pdf

On a lighter note, it was pleasure to attend the opening of Philip Brodie’s new office in Quay Street, Rockhampton. Member for Capricornia Ms Michelle Landry MP and Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Margaret Strelow were on hand to cut the ribbon and officially open the Quay street office on Friday. Central Queensland grain growers are set to benefit from this dedicated local grain marketing presence in Central QLD. http://pbgrain.com.au/2014/04/14/philp-‐brodie-‐grain-‐office-‐opens-‐doors-‐new-‐markets-‐growers-‐central-‐queensland/

Domenica Jensen AWiA Vice President and QLD Board Representative


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NRWC Update Rural Women Eager to Learn Communication Skills The NRWC President, Irene Mills AM said the survey results in the report demonstrate how rural, remote and regional women value being able to exchange information, ideas, opinions and thoughts about themselves, their business and communities. Mrs Mills said “It can be difficult to keep up with emerging communication technologies and ensuring that the chosen form of communication undertaken by an individual is effective and best practice”. “Rural, remote and regional women have said they want to learn about new digital communication technologies and effective verbal communication so they can better connect with other rural, remote and regional women and subsequently focus the attention of the broader community on issues and concerns affecting their communities” said Mrs Mills. The What Do Rural Women Want To Know report was commissioned by the NRWC following the success of the A CUPPA WITH… series which allows rural women to participate in free webinars and e-‐networking opportunities from their home location. A copy of the report is available from www.nrwc.com.au/Projects/WhatDoRuralWomenWantToKnow.aspx

AWiA Board The AWiA Board thank each of our Members for their input and commitment to AWiA. We look forward to continuing to work with AWiA Members to ensure that women influence the agricultural agenda… #AgendHER President WA Board Representative Elizabeth Brennan [email protected] Vice President QLD Board Representative Domenica Jensen Secretary Victorian Board Representative Val Lang AM Acting Treasurer General Board Member Marion Rak Treasurer (Leave of absence) SA Board Representative Danielle Quill NRWC Board Representative NT Board Representative Donna Digby NSW Board Representative Daniela Stehlik Tasmanian Board Representative Maureen Holland General Board Member Shelley Spriggs Please navigate to the website for further contact details of our State, Territory and General Board Member Representatives.

www.awia.org.au

From our Corporate Sponsor, Prime Super! Getting ready for SuperStream: data standard deadline fast approaching By now employers should be aware that the Stronger Super reform package includes the introduction of the SuperStream Data and Payment Standard (the standard). The standard requires employers to: § Send all data electronically (such as the employee’s details and the amount of super being paid) in a

standard message format § Make contribution payments electronically § Link data and money with a unique payment reference number § Ensure data and payments are sent on the same day § Respond to fund requests for complete information within 10 business days.

Use of the standard is being phased in, with employers with 20 or more employees (medium or large employers) being required to start using the standard from 1 July 2014. Smaller employers (19 or fewer staff) have until 1 July 2015. Some employers are asking, ‘My employees are mainly seasonal – am I a small or medium employer?’ The ATO has advised: For the purposes of the standard, all employees at the start date of 1 July 2014 are counted in determining the size of your business. Example: your business consists largely of seasonal employees – a mix of 5 full-‐time employees and 17 casual workers. You will therefore have a total of 22 employees at the start date and will be classed as a medium employer. You must comply with the standard from this date. If your actual payroll numbers fall below 20 employees at 1 July 2014, you will be classed as a small employer and have another 12 months until you must comply with the standard. This threshold really only affects your start date for complying with the standard. By 1 July 2015, all employers – no matter what size – are required to meet the standard. Meeting the standard can be done in a number of ways, including: § Upgrading payroll software § Engaging a service provider, such as a payroll bureau, tax agent or book keeper § Using a clearing house § Working with your super fund

Employers should speak to their default fund or service provider to help them find the right solution for their business. Prime Super offers an online super payment and management solution and their Regional Managers are on hand to help employers prepare and be ready to go come their compliance date. For more information about this article or any other superannuation topic please contact Karen Hyland at [email protected] or 0409 030 722 or Rod Stewart at [email protected] or 0428 558 158. Disclaimer Prime Super (ABN 60 562 335 823) is a not-‐ for-‐profit Industry Superannuation Fund. This article contains general information only and does not take account of your personal circumstances. Information in this article is current as at December 2013 and subject to change. You should obtain personal advice where appropriate. Prime Super is issued by Prime Super Pty Ltd (ABN 81 067 241 016, AFSL 219723). A Short-‐Form Product Disclosure Statement is available from the issuer by phoning 1800 675 839.

Documents

The Buzz (Autumn - May 2014) low res · #WIAA100+! Amazing!women!making!adifference!to!rural!Australiafromthe! paddock!to!the!boardroom!have!beenrecognised!in!the!Women!in! Australian!Agribusiness!100