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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-04-29 Daily Xml
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DROUGHT REACH PROGRAM

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (14:58): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for the Status of Women a question about the Women's Information Service.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN: Last year, I understand, the Women's Information Service initiated the Drought Reach program to respond to the needs of women living in drought-affected areas throughout South Australia. Will the minister inform the council about supports currently available to assist women in regional areas?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (14:58): I thank the honourable member for his very important question. As the member noted, Drought Reach was established by the Women's Information Service to ensure that women in rural communities are kept well informed of the range of government and non-government services that are currently available to support them during this very difficult time.

Twenty information sessions were arranged that provided women with up-to-date information on a wide range of different topics. Recognising that women in regional areas hold diverse roles and responsibilities, the Drought Reach sessions were created in such a way as to appeal to women in business and agriculture as well as residents of rural towns. As part of the broader Drought Reach program, a community grants component has now been made available. Known as the Rural Women's Community Grants, this initiative will fund projects targeted at women in rural and regional areas across the state.

Grants of up to $1,000 will be made available to new or existing women's groups and organisations that wish to provide support, information and education to women living in drought affected areas.

Three funding rounds will be offered throughout 2009, and the first round closed at the end of February. A diverse range of innovative programs and initiatives to support some of our most vulnerable communities across the state will now be able to go ahead, thanks to these grants. One of the first round grant recipients is Women in Horticulture, which will host a women's Looking after Yourself event in Kingston-on-Murray for up to 25 women. A dietician and speaker on stress management from Women's Health (Country Health SA) will be involved.

The Murray Mallee Communication Education Network will provide a 10 week workshop at Coonalpyn for women experiencing anxiety and depression. Women in Agriculture and Business Mallee Branch will host a bus trip, focusing on supporting local businesses and enhancing local networks. The bus tour will commence at Pinnaroo and travel to Banrock Station for a guided tour of its wetlands.

Applications are now being accepted for the second funding round which will close on 30 June. The rural women's community grants are jointly provided through a partnership between government and non-government organisations, in particular Women in Agriculture and Business, Rural Solutions (which is part of Primary Industries and Resources SA) and the Women's Information Service.

Women in Agriculture and Business is a statewide support and communication network for rural women. The organisation has 31 branches and more than 500 members across South Australia. Each branch works to support local community projects, discuss issues relevant to rural women or attend workshops of an educational or cultural nature. Owing to its large network, Women in Agriculture and Business will be instrumental in promoting this opportunity amongst a broad sweep of community organisations, as well as ensuring resources are directed towards projects that have the greatest benefit for rural women.

I am pleased to inform the council of the involvement of the Women's Information Service in this initiative. As members are no doubt aware, the service relocated to Grenfell Street at the end of last year, and the city-based service continues to provide the full range of programs it offered at its previous location. However, there is a strong emphasis on expanding the provision of outreach support to women beyond the metropolitan area.

I am confident that rural women's community grants will be another useful way for the Women's Information Service to connect with women in regional locations across South Australia. Guidelines and application forms for the rural women's community grants are available on the Women's Information Service website, and more information can be obtained by telephoning the Women's Information Service.

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