WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE AND BUSINESS

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (15:13): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about Women in Agriculture and Business.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I know that the minister is very committed to both women and the regions. Will she tell the chamber about the grant recently provided to Women in Agriculture and Business and other initiatives for regional women?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:14): I thank the honourable member for her most important question and her on-going interest in these important policy areas. As members would be aware, isolation can be an issue for women living in rural and remote areas. The internet and other forms of electronic media can be an excellent way for women to keep in touch to exchange news and also to network. To that end I am very delighted to advise that in this Year of the Farmer rural women from across South Australia will benefit from technology workshops due to a one-off grant of $10,000.

Women in Agriculture and Business (WAB) was formed at Riverton in 1917, which is quite remarkable, to meet the needs of women who were isolated and working with their families to establish farms and homes in rural districts. Today, WAB is a statewide support and communication network for rural women, especially those interested or involved in primary industries. It has 29 branches and approximately 500 members across the settled areas of the state. Branches usually meet monthly to work for local community projects, discuss wider issues and attend workshops.

Women in Agriculture and Business has grown and evolved to meet the needs of modern-day women involved in agriculture. The grant will fund these workshops and provide women with valuable tools to enable them to expand and reach the WAB across the state. It will also enable them to further engage with women in an online environment. The three technology for rural women workshops, coordinated by Women in Agriculture and Business, will teach rural women new technology skills. As members would appreciate, technology is a vital part of communication, both socially and in business, especially in regional areas, where distance is obviously a factor. Topics covered in the workshops include community basics, Microsoft, social media, using email and other online forums.

I am also pleased that this year's SA Rural Women's Gathering will be held in Penola, from 17 to 19 August 2012. The inaugural Rural South Australian Rural Women's Gathering was held in October 1996 at Murray Bridge. The SA Rural Women's Gathering was organised by a committee of committed rural women, including those who work incredibly hard to develop communication networks, knowledge and skills, through participation, experience and contact with other women. The gathering also importantly links women from a rural background with members of formal and informal networks across South Australia and provides access to opportunities for self-development, self-expression and information. The gatherings are community organised and developed, driven, owned and run. PIRSA provides in-kind support to the gathering by working with the committee and attending meetings.

Further, through the Office for Women, I have been able to provide $1,000 towards the 2012 gathering. I understand that the gathering will be held in Port Pirie in 2013 and in Jamestown in 2014, and discussions are being held for the location of the 2015 gathering. I am advised that speakers at this year's gathering include legendary journalist and businesswoman Ita Buttrose, Sarah Mott from the University of South Australia's Centre for Regional Engagement, and local author and photographer Joanna Fincham.