‘Chick from the Sticks’ – Senator Judith Troeth

I am a ‘Chick from the Sticks’ because

I married a farmer and have lived on a beef and sheep property in south-west Victoria for 31 years.

3 traits that I contribute to my rural connections are:

• an ability to provide practical solutions to problems
• an appreciation of the strengths of rural women
• an appreciation of the very high standards of Australian-grown food.

Currently I am a Senator for Victoria in the Federal Parliament.

In my career I have learned

• to never give up
• to prioritise my time
• to know your subject before you speak out on it.

My favourite quote is:

She who dares, wins.

4 people I would like to have dinner with are:

• Michelle Obama
• Colin Firth
• P.D.James
• Barry Humphries

Learn more about Judith.

How can we change our image?

Do you, or the organisations that you are passionate about, use Youtube???  A quick search for ‘rural australia’ on Youtube brings up only one regular user….why aren’t we harnassing the power of this free service better???!!!

When someone starts to complain at your next industry group meeting that people in the city just don’t listen and have the wrong idea about rural people and their industries (which I think is generally accepted as a fact), ask them when they last posted on Youtube.

Now, I know that you would probably be thrown out of the meeting for suggesting such a crazy idea, or at least have everyone look at you with a great deal of concern, but  it would be worth planting the seed of the idea (and admittedly, most organisations have one or two quick clips posted eg. the Agforce, Every Family Needs a Farmer campaign ads are there – but it doesn’t come up when I search ‘rural australia’)……………….  BUT, my point is, the people who feed the urban population the misinformed, outdated or stereotypical views use this internet tool regularly and with finesse.

Grab a beverage and watch/participate with this clip.  I am not in any way saying that this clip relates to rural issues or that these guys are misinformed (so please don’t sue me!!), but as you watch it imagine what we could be doing to get the real story about agriculture out there………………………..

The Green Police interactive quiz

Wednesday with Wendy

When you see me next, please realise that you are in the company of the best morning tea cooker in the state!!!  Now, this is a claim to fame that I was unaware of until last week (see number 14 in Phil Hammond’s Courier Mail article – if you can read it)…..but of course, expect due acknowledgement of in the future (you don’t need to bow, but autographs are acceptable)!

Just heading off now to update my CV….

until next week,

Wendy

Quote of the week:

“I CAN is 100 times more important than IQ”

New and Jolly Exciting!!

Some exciting news for OGC – my new revamped blog is now at:

www.OutbackGrowthClub.com.au

Please have a look and a play and let me know what you think! It is now really easy and simple to leave a comment, so why not have a go?!

If you are a regular reader (or intend to become one – YAH!) why not sign up for the RSS feed?  This means the posts will automatically come into your inbox each Wednesday, or alternatively you can sign up (in the little sign up box thingy on the right) and I will flick a quick note through every now and then about what is happening….

Look forward to hearing from you on my new blog,

Wendy

PS. this is the last week that my post will appear at this address, so don’t forget to save the new address as a favourite now!     www.OutbackGrowthClub.com.au

Wednesday with Wendy

What a week!  Life has been a whirl of packing boxes, paper, sticky tape and lots of dust as I sorted through things at Myendetta.  We are now happily  residing at our new home in Toowoomba (which is tastefully decorated with an array neutral coloured of boxes, quite the look this season I believe!!).

It is amazing how moving forces you to sort through your ‘stuff’ and get rid of all the things you are keeping ‘just in case’.  I am not sure if you do it, but I have found all sorts of things that I thought I might need again one day (including those ‘pre-children’ clothes that I know I will fit into soon).  It also extends to the kitchen…Richard was forced to step in when I was complaining that I could not possibly fit all my baking trays into this tiny kitchen (read that as normal sized kitchen) – he pointed out to me in a kind and patient voice (the one you use with small, difficult children) that I no longer required 8 muffin trays as he doubted that I would be wanting 96 muffins in one bake up in the near future…one never knows though!!! Needless to say he completed a bit of a cull for me, and was good enough to put the trays at the back of the pantry, ‘just in case’, with guidelines that if they are not used in the next 6 months he was donating them (and many others) to Vinnies!

The boys are all off for their first day of school tomorrow at their new school – exciting times!  I hope your school transition has gone smoothly, and if you are doing a boarding school run that it has been the best a drop off can be.

Until next week,

Wendy

Quote of the week: (thanks to Councillor Yvonne Jennings for this one)

“It is not women against men,

it is women and men,

and not that the world will be a better place if women run it,

but that the world will be a better place when women who bring their perspectives share in running it.”

Indira Patel 2002

‘Chick from the Sticks’ – Geraldine Doumany

Geraldine with Mr Kim from South Korea (purchasing race horses)

I am a ‘Chick from the Sticks’ because:

After all these years I still have a sense of delight and contentment when visiting family and friends or working throughout rural Australia.  I spent my early years on a property outside Cunnamulla and teen years on the Darling Downs and realise that although rural Australia has many different faces; people on the land don’t change and exude a warmth and welcoming presence.  The years pass but the friendships and connections remain and a ‘cuppa’ or a ‘rum & coke’ between friends solves the problems of the world.

3 traits that I contribute to my rural connections are:

• Love and respect for people:  Growing up in a rural community engendered a sense of belonging, security and trust.  What’s the saying – “what we are communicates far more than anything we say or do”.
• Resilience – life on the land does not always go to plan and you learn to accept, adapt, cope and move on.  Flexibility allows one to look for alternatives in the face of adversity and opens the mind to explore solutions and outcomes.
• An appreciation of the land and its eco-systems – I still draw much pleasure and strength from ‘just being’ in nature’s surroundings. 
• Last but not least – a ‘down to earth’ sense of humour……….. that makes 4!

Currently I am working with Austrade (The Australian Trade Commission) as a Senior Export Adviser – Agribusiness.  My role is to work with clients, from new exporters to old hands, assisting them to develop their product range, marketing and finally identifying a global partner for their product.  I have been in this role for the past eight years and feel very privileged to be able to work with many rural based companies and family businesses who are so passionate about what they do.  I am constantly surprised by the innovation, talent and resourcefulness of many in our rural communities.  We really do lead the world across a number of sectors.

In my career I have learned:

• Viva la Différence:  there are always two ways to view the world – I work with colleagues across many cultures on a daily basis and have learnt to appreciate and respect that the same problem, issue or challenge can be viewed from a number of angles. No one is right or wrong – just different.

• Remain true to yourself – situations arise that call for challenging decisions so remain true to your principles and values.  They will always stand by you.
• Bring enthusiasm and motivation to your daily work – it is amazing how the world looks through positive eyes.
• Do what you do best – we are all endowed with innate talents and abilities and if we do what we love we will do it well.
• Don’t take yourself too seriously – a ‘sense of humour’ is a real asset.

My favourite quote is:

“People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”

Maya Angelo (writer/poet)

4 people I would like to have dinner with are:

• Maggie Beer – I’m a ‘foodie’ and she has done so much to promote quality regional produce.
• Nelson Mandela – I would like to get a vision of the world through his eyes.
• Meryl Streep – such a talented, versatile and creative woman who is highly respected in her industry.
• Andrew Denton – He has met many interesting people and has the ability to reach the inner person.

If the shoe fits!

I wonder what you will think when you go to this site?

www.tomsshoes.com

If you are like me you will be amazed and in awe.  Here is a business that makes a real difference to people’s lives, in quite a dull and unsensational way really (have you ever seen a headline about them?)…..and still makes money!  Forgive me for the vegetarian range….just ignore the detail and look at the big picture of what Tom does and has done!!!

There is a belief that you must first give, to recieve…..what do you think???

I actually had this discussion with a reporter this week when I was talking to her about this blog.  Her question was “why would you put time and effort into something for a long period of time that does not earn you money?” (probably fair enough question really!).  This is easy for me to answer.  I do it because I love it, I am passionate about doing it (because I know it inspires and helps people) and because I have the belief that each pebble I throw in the pond creates ripples in ways I don’t even know about and I also believe that creating good for others is good for me eventually…..

A word from Wendy

This week I have been thinking about lots of different things as I have been busily packing up/ covering school books / finishing my BAS, etc….. it has all been a bit of a whirl really!  I guess that there is lots of you who are in the same state!  It is the ‘getting ready for school / boarding school’ and ‘OMG – where have the holidays gone’ sort of time really for most women I know.

I have wondered such deep and meaningful things as ‘why isn’t there a book covering service offered when I buy text books?’  ‘Who ever thought that I could gather soooo much stuff in 8 years in one house?’  ‘Why do March flies jolly well hurt so much when they bite you (and as Harry always asks, why are they called March Flies anyway)?’

On top of such earth shattering thoughts – I have also been pondering what it is that is most lacking in the lives of rural women….   What do you think?  I would love to hear your ideas on this one….  (it is easy to leave a comment – go on, you can do it!)

I look forward to reading your responses, and good luck with the back to school week!

Until next week,

Wendy

Quote of the week:

‘None of us is as smart as all of us.  Work closely with your team.’

Chick from the Sticks – Elspeth Barker

I am a ‘Chick from the Sticks’ because I grew up in the fabulous small town of Charleville where I enjoyed that loving small town way of walking down the street and knowing basically everyone and thinking  swimming club was religion. After attending our local primary school I then as many finished my secondary schooling at St Margaret’s in Brisbane… after many years at university and working in Brisbane and overseas I realised that small towns and country living are defiantly for me. Luckily my career as a Graphic Designer allows me to work from anywhere that has a phone and preferably fast internet.

3 traits that I contribute to my rural connections are

Rural need not limit your choices and opportunities… I was always brought up to believe I could be what ever I wanted to be even as a child living in small town Charleville. At an early age I recall announcing I was going to be an Olympic skier even if there was no snow in Charleville. Close enough- I have since lived and completed a ski season in Canada.

A strong mind and and even stronger heart- Whilst everyday in rural communities whether you be on the land, in a business or at home we face challenges and bumps in the road I believe we can overcome all with such persistence and positivity.

Forgive and Forget- possibly learnt from years of boarding school- holding a grudge is a long and unnecessarily unhappy life.

Currently I am running my own comprehensive creative agency  PLASH CREATIVE in the main street of Roma. We specialise in all things graphic design- including logo development, print, web and packaging design, A wonderful challenge where I wear a black dress and heels almost everyday… I am also an avid committee member of The RNA Future Directions Committee (a committee of 18-35 year olds 7 boys and 7 girls from across Qld that encourage and maintain young Ekka members and events)…. another long rural family connection.

In my career I have learned

Honesty is the Best policy- Whilst it is usually the hardest thing to do… admitting when you are in the wrong is always easiest in the long run. A policy that as a young business owner I live by even in the HARDEST and most expensive of circumstances.

MOST IMPORTANTLY- LOVE WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY!! I DO!! As a rural business woman I hope to be able to pass on to other young women that any career is possible. In particular and one closest to my heart I hope to advocate that an alternative career such as one in the arts can be just as successful and rewarding as the more traditional occupations. If I had listened to my Grade 12 careers adviser I would not be working and living a new and fun creative challenge every day.

My favourite quote is

“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though

checked by failure…than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much

nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor

defeat. Theodore Rosevelt

And a personal favourite:

I drink champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty. Lily Bollinger

4 people I would like to have dinner with are

• Anna Wintour- One of the most influential women in the world… and one who never removes her oversized channel sunglasses. Editor in Chief of Vogue.

• Dr Catherine Hamlet- Author of Hospital by the River- A story of hope.A woman who dedicated her life to women in Ethiopia suffering the catastrophic fistula and as a result facing a lifetime of incapacity and degradation.

• The full Chaser team- The Chaser’s War on Everything I feel is not only hilarious but  their satirical take on our current events and issues should be mandatory watching for all politicians and overly serious people. They help us to see the humour in everything.

• The Queen- not only is she in my opinion the Best Dressed Woman in the World (oh to have a wardrobe with that many matching hats and shoes) but I would love to hear some words of wisdom from one who has seen and experienced it all and always with composure and grace.

Learn more about Elspeth!

Do you follow your internal compass?

What does the term internal compass mean to you?  It is one of those terms that you hear from time to time that I think can have very different meanings for different people.

I heard it used last year in a presentation by Tania Major (2007 Young Australian of the year winner).  Google her, she is really impressive!  She used it in the context of making decisions based on her internal compass (what was ‘right’) rather than what was considered culturally acceptable in her community.  At times her choices bring her a great deal of criticism but her point was she can work through it when she knows she is ‘facing her true north’.

“What the future holds for you, depends on what you hold for the future.”  This is an interesting little quote that was sent to me not so long ago, and also might be applied to the concept of internal compass….  I guess the question we can ask ourselves this week is – ‘where is my internal compass pointing at the moment and what am I doing about it?’