Remote, rural and regional women truly are amazing, as are those who are metro-based and work and volunteer with our partners. While we recognise this every day, International Women’s Day (IWD) is the perfect opportunity to publicly celebrate and reflect on the incredible women who dedicate themselves to supporting their families, colleagues and communities.

At FRRR, we work with women every day, whether that be our wonderful team or by supporting projects led by women – some of which benefit their whole community, while others are designed for women. We see firsthand how their dedication, innovative thinking, compassion, expertise and endurance are creating a more vibrant and resilient remote, rural and regional Australia for us all.

This year’s theme for IWD is accelerate action. It calls for swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality and for increased momentum in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.

Below are several projects that we are proud to support that showcase the value of – and critical importance of – targeted action in communities in accelerating progress towards a more equitable tomorrow by empowering women today.

The Mallacoota Wilderness Collective: Digital Workshops for Women

By empowering isolated women with digital skills and confidence, Mallacoota Wilderness Collective Inc in eastern Victoria has improved access to technology for older women. They did this by creating a comfortable and supportive environment in which to learn and share.  

In addition, there were more than 34 free workshops in technology, leadership, and online safety, coupled with younger women mentoring older and more vulnerable participants who were still feeling the impacts of bushfires. The drop-in IT help sessions were supported by a $9,804 Strengthening Rural Communities grant and fostered hands-on support, connection and independence among attendees.

The project involved tangible steps to improve an older generation of women’s digital literacy. By facilitating intergenerational learning, these workshops have helped to ensure that rural women of all ages feel empowered and confident in their use of technology sooner rather than later.

Enterprise Partnerships WA: Piriwa Placemaking Project

Enterprise Partnerships WA is a First Nations ally organisation, empowering remote First Nations women in the Kimberley through community-led enterprise, entrepreneurship and leadership initiatives. They used a $10,000 Strengthening Rural Communities grant to support The Piriwa Hub in Balgo, which provides a safe space for skills development, wellbeing support and cultural preservation.

The funds were used to purchase and transport a 20-ft watertight sea container from Kununurra to Balgo. Collaborating with Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation enabled Piriwa to obtain a land lease for the new container. The women of the Piriwa Hub were most proud of this collaboration and how it proves they have continued support from the local community.

The new storage container has been a game-changer, making it easier to manage donations, run the shop smoothly and cut down on waste. It has also boosted the women-led leadership team’s confidence in governance and negotiation. Through this project, Enterprise Partnerships WA is helping to drive change by creating opportunities for women to lead, learn and thrive, ensuring their voices and contributions shape a stronger, more inclusive Balgo.

In their final report they said: “The most successful achievement of this grant is the additional infrastructure it has provided to Piriwa to enable the women to continue their focus on young women, keeping culture strong and providing an op shop to the community.”

Wimmera Women Connect: Consolidating the way forward

After COVID, many women in the Wimmera region of Victoria faced isolation, increased domestic responsibilities and limited professional support. In 2022, Wimmera Women Connect was founded to combat these challenges, aiming to foster connections, reduce isolation and promote gender equality to support women in the community.

WWC used a $7,374 Strengthening Rural Communities Prepare and Recover grant to enhance their organisational capacity, so they could expand their reach and effectiveness. The funds were invested in strategic planning, digital resources, branding, leadership development, volunteer engagement and financial sustainability – all working to create a sustainable and well-resourced organisation that connects and empowers women in Wimmera.

The project supported a range of events that worked to elevate women’s voices and contributions in the community, including:

• Equity in the Wimmera – a panel discussion about cultures and drivers that contribute to gendered violence, and
• Not Just a Farmer – a frank and open discussion about one local woman’s quest to address rural mental health and suicide through an independently funded film she wrote, produced and starred in.

By fostering meaningful relationships and providing leadership opportunities, WWC is helping women build confidence, feel a sense of belonging and actively contribute to a more inclusive and supportive regional community.

The Nintirri Centre Incorporated: Midwife Services in the Inland Pilbara

Nintirri Centre is a not-for-profit located in Tom Price in the Pilbara region of WA. It iscommitted to supporting remote and rural women by delivering essential health, education and wellbeing services. Recognising the urgent need for accessible antenatal care in non-birthing towns like Tom Price and Paraburdoo, Nintirri launched a FIFO midwife program in 2022. The service ensures women, especially First Nations people living on Country, receive vital reproductive healthcare despite ongoing travel barriers exacerbated by the COVID pandemic.

A $10,000 Strengthening Rural Communities grant supported their initiative, enabling essential antenatal and postnatal care, including regular home visits. Without this kind of early intervention, many women in remote communities would face late diagnoses of complications, increasing risks to both mother and baby.

Nintirri’s FIFO midwife program is an essential step toward equitable healthcare for rural women and improving access to reproductive healthcare has always been, and continues to be for many, a crucial step towards gender equality. When women can safely navigate pregnancy and birth within their community, it not only reduces strain on local health services, but they experience better health outcomes, greater empowerment and improved family stability. 

These four projects offer just a glimpse into the efforts underway – led by and for women across remote, rural, and regional Australia – to accelerate progress toward gender equality. We’re excited for the journey ahead and look forward to contributing to many more initiatives in the future.

In the Riverina Area of NSW, local communities are often affected by a range of challenges, particularly the impacts of drought. In these situations, significant burden typically sits with women, as they are the foundational linkages in family and community life; in the local not-for-profit organisations that rely on volunteers; and their businesses; and often generating supplementary off-farm income.  

Recognising these impacts, Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council (YACTAC) proposed to design and host ‘Chicks in the Sticks’ events in Jerilderie and Moulamein to bring together local women to increase their skills, knowledge and understanding of the risks posed by drought and climate change. Through field days and luncheons, the goal was to enable women across this vast region to deepen social connections, network and create a shared sense of purpose and longer-term sense of belonging. 

The events were funded through a $40,176 Community Impact Program grant, as part of the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative, supported by the Australian Government through the Future Drought Fund. 

Presenters and activities focussed on health and wellbeing and agriculture, in the context of drought. The Jerilderie event featured well-known speakers, including Shanna Whan, Founder of Sober in the Country and Kimberley Furness, Founder and Publisher of OAK Magazine & A Friend of Mine Podcast, and Lou Bull, a local conservationist, radio presenter, author of Aquila Garden Guide and a local yoga teacher. There was also a panel discussion hosted by Kimberley Furness that involved Shanna Whan, Lou Bull, and local Indigenous artist Ros Lockhart, which explored themes of resilience and inclusivity.  

Event Coordinator Bronwyn Thomas said the Chicks in the Sticks luncheon in Jerilderie attracted nearly 80 participants. 

“It was a remarkable success in community engagement and empowerment for rural women in the Riverina region. We showcased community engagement and empowerment and provided a platform for rural women to connect, share experiences and gain insights from inspirational speakers.  

“By fostering community connections and empowering women, YACTAC continues to support the wellbeing and resilience of regional communities. It exemplified how strategic funding and community collaboration can create transformative experiences that uplift and connect rural communities, setting a strong precedent for future endeavours.” 

The event had a number of unexpected flow-on effects through increased connection and relationships, including:  

• It was the first time that YACTAC had a Welcome to Country ceremony as part of their events. This helped establish trust and integrity that later enabled YACTAC to organise an Indigenous Women’s Yarning Circle on Billabong. An Indigenous artist was commissioned to design thank-you cards for the event, which also led to them designing a flyer for the yarning circle, both of which were well received; 

• Organising Chicks in the Sticks strengthened connections between different groups, such as the Holbrook Landcare Group and YACTAC; and   

• Other organisations expressed interest in coming onboard for the next event. 

Co-organiser Andrea Mitchell said that the event was “where warmth met empowerment.”  

“Amongst women attendees, it nurtured safety, sparked social discourse, and championed community involvement. It was a haven to amplify local voices, inspire action and foster connections. And it was so much fun!” she said.

The Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative (HRCPDI) was included in a report commissioned by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which was released on International Day of Rural Women in 2024. The focus of the report is Women-Led Solutions for Drought Resilience and Adaptation. READ THE REPORT. The HRCPDI case study is on page 118.

Natalie Egleton, FRRR CEO, features on the episode, “Getting Your Next Big Idea Off the Ground”, in the sixth season of Ducks on the Pond – a podcast for rural women, by rural women.

Natalie joins hosts, Kirsten Diprose and Jackie Elliot, to discuss how FRRR supports community-led initiatives; how technology has improved opportunities for women in rural towns; and the joys of cultivating and celebrating the unique qualities of rural communities across Australia.

“I would say that rural towns have an innate culture of innovation…”

^{Natalie Egleton, CEO}

To listen to the full episode, visit: https://open.spotify.com/show/1JZOz94mYh149A42Pi9Wl5

Founded by Stephanie Trethewey, the 2022 AgriFutures National Rural Woman of the Year, Motherland Australia’s mission is to eliminate the crippling social isolation many rural mums face by connecting them to a supportive online community and offering a mothers group program that every rural mum can access, regardless of her location.

At the core of Motherland’s initiatives is the Motherland Village program, an innovative online mothers’ group program designed to transcend geographical barriers. The program, which runs for six weeks, provides a personalised virtual space for rural mothers, creating connections and support networks that endure well beyond the program’s duration.

The impact of the Motherland Village program is evident, with 87% of participants reporting significant positive changes in their lives. The program has not only addressed the issue of social isolation but has also become a catalyst for rural mothers to do things differently and communicate regularly within their groups.

Complementing the virtual community is the Motherland podcast, launched in December 2019. With 27,000+ monthly listens and over 210 rural mothers interviewed, the podcast has become a powerful platform, consistently ranking in the Top 15 parenting podcasts on Apple iTunes nationally. It serves as a voice for rural mothers, addressing their unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs.

Over the past six months, Motherland has utilised an FRRR Fundraising account to fund a crucial Partnerships and Sales role. This strategic move has enabled the organisation to capitalise on the demand from the rural motherhood community, leading to a 50% increase in the online community and a 25% increase in projected partnership revenue for FY23/24.

“Our NFP account has been a gamechanger in helping us secure the funds required for this role- which has been pivotal to our charity’s growth and impact across rural Australia.”

The role has not only secured additional podcast advertising revenue and corporate partnerships but has also been instrumental in attracting sponsorship funds for Motherland’s national conference. The newfound revenue will also allow for improvements to the Motherland Village program for 2024, including the creation of video content featuring health and wellbeing professionals, which is currently underway.

Motherland is in the early stages of developing a formal fundraising strategy, with plans to be more public with their fundraising efforts and FRRR fundraising account throughout 2024. The organisation is focused on continued growth, with ongoing efforts to expand its impact through the Motherland Connect platform—an online resource hub for rural mothers that will launch later in the year.

You can support Motherland through the FRRR fundraising account, contributing to the reduction of social isolation, improvement of mental health outcomes, and the creation of meaningful connections across rural communities.