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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-07-25 Daily Xml
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WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:34): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Regional Development and the Status of Women a question regarding women in regional and rural South Australia.

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: Women in regional and rural areas have a pivotal role in contributing to primary industry in their communities. My question is: can the minister advise us of how the South Australian government supports regional and rural women to become leaders in and ambassadors of primary industry?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:35): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. My portfolio responsibilities do place me in a unique position to observe and admire the very pivotal role of women, particularly women in rural Australian life. They are truly remarkable and their contributions are invaluable.

The South Australian government is committed to providing support and guidance to regional and rural women to ensure that they have the opportunities and training to fully participate in their communities and primary industry. I believe it is vital that rural women have a voice in shaping the policy responsibilities that affect them, that is why this government supports rural women's leadership by funding activities that will build the leadership and representative capacity of women and girls living and working in rural regions and also remote communities.

I am pleased to inform the chamber today that $50,000 in state government funding has been provided to the Ag Excellence Alliance Women in Leadership program for 2013-14. This program is designed to assist women who live and work in regional areas to develop their skills and help fulfil their potential as leaders in their communities and chosen industries. I strongly believe that supporting regional women to access training or mentoring programs not only provides them with a competitive edge but develops new enterprise and strength in relation to existing skills that can be put into practice in their businesses and industries.

Strong regional communities benefit from women who actively pursue leadership opportunities and become advocates for their region and their trade. Women in our regional, rural and remote communities can and often do face significant barriers to accessing opportunities in skill development and also mentorship access compared with those women based in metropolitan areas. I was very pleased that earlier this year I was able to attend a networking portion of Bigger, Brighter, Better: Vibrant Rural Women, which was a conference at which I was given the opportunity to address delegates on women in leadership.

PIRSA provided $50,000 to both the Ag Excellence Alliance and Dairy SA in October 2012 to fund projects that support the further development of women's leadership capabilities, which culminated in that particular conference. Since then, I have received correspondence from numerous women who participated in the program. I was very pleased to receive their letters. They simply told their own personal stories and outlined, in a very personal way, what the benefits of attending that program meant to them. It was very touching and it was very pleasing to see, really, for some women, the very profound effect that sort of support can have on them. So, I am very pleased that the South Australian government continues to make available opportunities for all women in our state to develop their skills and self-belief, to take on leadership roles and, in turn, provide guidance and mentorship to future generations of regional women in primary industry.

Carly Gogel is one such leader of the next generation of women in our primary industries, and I am pleased to advise that this remarkable young woman from Keith has been announced as the winner of South Australia's 2013 Young Rural Ambassador award. Carly is a committee member and co-founder of the junior subcommittee for the Keith and Tintinara District Show. I understand she has been very deeply involved in the show from a very early age, where she has previously exhibited her skills in cooking, produce art and photography in a number of competitions. She hopes to use her time as young ambassador to encourage more young women to become involved in their local agricultural shows.

The Young Rural Ambassador award is conducted by the Agricultural Societies Council of SA and is open to rural youth from 16 to 19 years of age. It provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase excellence in primary industries. I am very pleased that the South Australian government through PIRSA provides $100,000 in sponsorship to the Agricultural Society's Council of South Australia to help fund not only this important recognition of young advocates involved in primary industries but also to support the Rural Ambassadors Award.

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