in this is s u e . . .

• National Conference

• Otago Central Rail Trail Challenge

• Marrying the Farmer or the Farm?

• How to train a sheep dog

OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF RURAL WOMEN NEW ZEALAND • ISSUE No.2 June 2007

RWNZ launches new Leptospirosis fundraising campaign

Rural Women New Zealand members gave their full support to a In the 1970s this was largely a disease of pig and dairy farmers.
proposal to revive a very successful fundraising campaign for further However as pigs and dairy cattle are now largely vaccinated,
research into Leptospirosis, at the recent national conference. the profile of those at risk has changed. Meat workers are
now the most likely group to contract the disease, and Massey
During the 1970s and 1980s Women’s Division Federated
wants to understand more about their exposure to the disease
Farmers (as Rural Women New Zealand was then known)
through sheep and deer.
raised close to $200,000 for research into vaccination and
management regimes for the control of Leptospirosis in pigs
and dairy cattle.
This money funded the publication of 57 research papers on
the disease by the Massey University Faculty of Veterinary
Science. This research directly contributed to a significant
drop in the number of notified cases in humans, from 875
cases in 1974 to under 200 in the early 1980s. This was largely
the result of a vaccination programme in dairy cattle and pigs,
as well as educational campaigns.
However, the disease is far from beaten, and is still New
Zealand’s most commonly notified workplace disease, Massey
veterinarian, Dr Jackie Blenschop, told conference delegates.
While some forms of the disease can result in mild flu like
symptoms, others suffer severe effects which can last for a
considerable time and necessitate lengthy periods off work The Massey team also wants to establish the importance of
and sometimes a change of career. Leptospirosis as a cause of sheep mortality, to provide a cost-
benefit analysis of vaccination.
Dr Benschop told RWNZ members that the disease is spread
when the leptospirosis bacteria are ‘shed’ through an animal’s Dr Blenschop says the researchers need to do more study into the
urine, with just tiny splashes potentially use of vaccines early in an animal’s life,
containing millions of bacteria. Bacteria before it becomes infected, as vaccination
infect humans, entering the body will not alter the urinary shedding status
through cuts and cracks in the skin, of an already infected animal.
and the membranes of the eyes, nose
They also want to understand whether
and mouth.
some types of bacteria cause more disease
A blood test is necessary to diagnose than others, whether there is competition
the disease, however antibodies aren’t among the different types of Leptospira,
present at the acute stage, only two whether the disease is seasonal and
to three weeks later when symptoms whether sheep get infected from deer,
may be easing. Once detected, cattle, wildlife and vice versa.
effective treatment is available that
RWNZ members are urged to get behind
usually kills and removes the bacteria.,
this important campaign, and to share
but people can’t be vaccinated.
their stories about successful fundraising
Prevention techniques centre on initiatives and events. Our conference was
vaccinating animals and taking based on the theme “Using the Past to
physical precautions to avoid contact Create the Future” and it is fitting that we
with shed bacteria, such as wearing Dr Jackie Blenschop gives a presentation on have decided to revive this very worthwhile
gloves and suitable footwear. Leptospirosis at our Rotorua conference fundraising project at this time.

Strengthening Rural Communities Page 

editorial Editorial - by Margaret Chapman
My first editorial – I never
imagined I would ever have
to do this. Thank you to all
members for the privilege
of serving as your National
President and, while I
feel very humbled, I am
approaching my term with
nervous anticipation.
I would like to acknowledge
a past Dominion President
– the late Ginny Talbot – a fellow Kakahu Branch
member. This is a first for the organisation - two
National Presidents from the same branch. Ginny
was certainly my mentor and inspiration.
I live at Kakahu, 15 kilometres from Geraldine in
South Canterbury with my husband Graham on a
530ha sheep and beef farm. We have two sons, both
of whom are keen farmers. I completed a Diploma of
Home Science at Otago University and taught for a
number of years before heading off overseas.
Within weeks of getting married I joined Women’s Division
Federated Farmers, without knowing anything about the
organisation. I stayed because it was a way of getting to
know the neighbours and for the fun and fellowship of
being with women who shared the same problems and joys
in country living. I was also drawn by the educational and
personal growth opportunities and the chance to influence
local decision makers on issues of concern. Does all this
sound familiar?– I think it is the reason most of us join the
organisation. Only later, comes the realization that Rural
Women New Zealand is a powerful and very well respected
voice for rural communities at a national level.
I am passionate about our organisation. I believe we have
something to offer everyone and Rural Women New Zealand
is as needed today as it was when it started 82 years ago.
Those founding members were women with a passion
– women with a vision of strengthening rural communities,
of working to better the conditions for women and children.
They led and inspired and laid the strong foundations on
which the organisation is based today. Throughout its history
the underlying vision has never faltered – that of strong,
sustainable rural communities.
It is now our turn to take the organisation forward – to be
focused and forward thinking, open to new ideas and inclusive
of all who share our vision. A quote from a former Dominion
President, Mrs Haldane says it all: ‘an organisation that thinks
in terms of tomorrow moves on; an organisation that thinks
in terms of yesterday perishes’. We must all think in terms of
tomorrow and encourage new, younger members to step up
and be the future of our organisation. Only then will we be
passing on our vision of ‘strengthening rural communities’.
To me, a quote from the late Sir Peter Blake says it all:
“To win-you have to believe you can do it. You have to be
passionate about it. You have to really want the result -even if
it means years of work. The hardest part of any big project is to
begin. We have begun, we are underway - we have a passion.
We want to make a difference”.
I look forward to meeting and working with you all.
Page 
Farewell from past President
Sherrill Dackers
I remember my first editorial – just three years ago and the
qualms with which I approached it. I was very unsure of what
I should write, whether it would be relevant and how much
I should say. I still have similar concerns but now, with the
benefit of experience, it does not worry me so much.
So, now, my friends where to from here? I am about to leave
for Finland to lead the Rural Women New Zealand delegation
at the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW)
Conference - what an honour - and then, later, join my
husband in London for a long postponed and long awaited
tour of Great Britain and Europe. But after that – what? I
simply do not know.
I do know that as I step down I leave some dear friends and
acquaintances. The National Council, the staff, many, many
members. All the wonderful people throughout New Zealand
whom I have had the privilege of meeting during these last
Sherrill Dackers is
pictured here with
National Party Leader
John Key following
a breakfast meeting
with our National
Councillors on Anzac
Day.
three years. Not only members, but Members of Parliament,
Government and other agency employees and people from all
walks of life involved and interested in rural and rural health
issues. My life has expanded considerably and I have learned.
I have been an extremely fortunate woman, I have walked a
totally different path from what I had expected, faced some huge
challenges, learned countless things, expanded my knowledge in
unexpected areas and had new and interesting experiences – and
all because of my involvement in Rural Women New Zealand.
These opportunities are available and waiting for any member
who dares to take the step. In my case nothing was ever
planned or anticipated. On reflection I simply stepped on a
conveyor belt which took me to the top. Never in my wildest
dreams did I anticipate such rewards. All I ever intended was
to serve the organisation in the best way possible.
Now the cycle has been completed and I have returned to the
starting place – I am once again an ordinary member. It is
easy for me to say any member can do the same. For some it
will probably never happen but it is important to realise that
if you want to, you can.
I leave you in good hands – your new National President,
Margaret Chapman, has a sound grasp of all things rural.
She has strong principles and will, I believe, prove to be an
excellent leader. With a committed National Council and loyal
members the future is good.
To all my friends and fellow members my thanks for the
honours and blessings you have given me.
Strengthening Rural Communities
Local Body Elections -
make your voice heard
Nominations for local body and DHB elections open on 27 July and
close on 24 August, with elections to take place on 13 October.
RWNZ is keen to support rural candidates to ensure good
representation of rural communities and their specific
concerns. If you are intending to stand please contact national
office so that we can publicise RWNZ candidates amongst our
membership. To date we have details for one member who
is intending to stand, our Regional Development Officer for
Region 6, Rachael Dean.
Rachael Dean will be standing for
the Waikato District Health Board.
Rachael is currently serving on
the Health Waikato Advisory
Committee for the Waikato DHB.
She has previous experience
as a City Councillor, Borough
Councillor and Southland Area
Health Board Member.
Rachael’s professional life has
been spent as a Chartered
Accountant, internal auditor,
project manager, IT and business
consultant. She was raised on a high country sheep station
and currently works with her husband in their family business.
She is involved with volunteer work, is a theatrical armourer
and tutors FarmSmart courses. She also rows, shoots and is
an associate lamb judge and board member for Diving NZ.
Rachael is concerned about issues of access to health outside
the big cities. Her candidacy is endorsed by Waikato Federated
Farmers. She will be available from the end of July to meet
and talk with RWNZ members and other groups such as
Lions, Rotary etc. She would also appreciate promotion
of her candidacy in any newsletters you produce. Email
gwwservices@inspire.net.nz or call (07) 827 6778.
Hills Harvest Award
Leonie Batt of Kiripaka branch has won the a Ballance Farm
Environment Award for her 70ha avocado orchard and dry
stock property near Whangarei. The present attractive state
of the property is a tremendous achievement said the judges.
Almost all the 25ha of bush and waterways have been fenced
to exclude stock and pests are actively controlled. The orchard
and farm also contain some of the best examples of conserved
native bush in Northland. Now in her 70s, Leonie is very
active in the orchard, and employs two part-time workers
of a similar age. The orchard produces high yields of top
quality avocados, with six different varieties providing both
shelter and fruit, maximising income from the export and local
market, seed for nurseries and oil pressing.
Strengthening Rural Communities
Opinion -
issues
by Liz Evans, national councillor
A ‘No Cows, No Countryside’ campaign has recently
be launched by English lifestlye magazine, Country
Living. The year long effort is designed to encourage
consumers to buy locally produced food and advance
the notion that farming is good for the countryiside.
We in New Zealand should take note of this campaign
for it has several components relevant to our current
status as an agricultural exporting nation anxious
about production versus environmental impact and
the place of rural in our society’s pecking order.
A fascinating facet of the campaign is the hint of
criticism of the role of environmentalism in the demise
of British farming. This is a change from what we are
increasingly told about the supposedly negative effects
of agricultural grazing on landscapes here.
Having recently attended a national NGO forum on
climate change submissions, described by some of the
participants as“high level policy making”, it is obvious
New Zealand is in the grip of land use ambivalence.
Rural Women New Zealand was one of only two community-based
organisations invited to take part in the forum, during which the
head of one of our largest influential environmental lobby groups
advocated the cultivation of gorse on our farmland because of its
function as a carbon sink, while another leader stated that the only
farming allowed here should be of plants and trees. The position
and contribution of farming and its people, and our accompanying
rural communities, were of little consequence. The need for exports
to fund the economy in general didn’t rate a mention.
The Country Living campaign seems to be bypassing
the political, academic and extremist elements strangling
British farming and making its pitch instead to consumers,
traditionalists and tourists. How long will it be before we too
need a campaign to save our farming?
(Abridged from an original article by Liz Evans published in
The Press.)
Rural policing initiative welcomed
Seven rural police officers have been appointed to the Central
Region police district and will be part of a two year study to ascertain
the value of placing police officers back into rural communities.
Wanganui Rural Constable, Allan Spooner, is one of the seven
appointed, and he recently held a meeting with rural stakeholders,
including Rural Women New Zealand. He said there was a
need to get involved in communities very quickly and show
New Zealand what could be achieved with these new roles. A
big bonus was that his time was now ‘ring fenced’, meaning he
could not be called on for town work. In the past rural policing
had been one of Constable Spooner’s four portfolios, but he had
no time allocated to spend in the role, he said.
RWNZ’s Provincial President, Joan Black, attended the first
community consultation meeting held to ‘brainstorm’ on rural
issues. The new constables will be focusing on the criminal
element in rural areas, drug issues, boundary problems, stock
theft etc. Constable Spooner said any burglary, no matter
how small, should be reported as it could be part of a bigger
picture. He also warned against renting spare houses on rural
properties, or at least getting tenants checked thoroughly
before signing up.
The extra seven rural constables will increase the visiblity
of police in rural areas in Central Region and if the pilot is
successful it is hoped it will be extended to other areas.
Page 
feature National Conference 2007 - Rotorua
Conference is always a great opportunity to network, business strategies and new challenges she has set herself.
catch up with members from all over the country, and
Many enjoyed hearing Susan Hassell talk about her educational
dress up!
philosophies as head of Hamilton Boys High School. She
The conference theme,“Using the Past to Create the Future”, spoke of the negative effects of ‘chronological snobbery’,
was no more evident than in the revival of 60s clothing, at where people think that only today’s attitudes can be right and
the themed dinner on the Wednesday night. Plunging that any ideas of the past have had it.
to the back of the wardrobe, members had It is something we must fight, she says,
rediscovered a range of outfits ranging from particularly in education.
hippie costumes to mini skirts, and showing a
Each of the regions presented a ten
bit of leg was the order of the night.
minute showcase highlighting activities
Earlier, keynote they are involved in.
speaker Garth
The conference aired many issues
McVicar of the
affecting the rural population and the
S e n s i b l e
final words should be left to our new
Sentencing
president, Margaret Chapman.
Trust told of the
need to support “Rural Women New Zealand can provide
victims at parole everything you could want - social
hearings, and
through lobbying
politicians in
Wellington.

Balancing this
viewpoint was
the
closing speaker, Jeanette Crean,
who spoke about her family’s timber
business. Many of the 100 staff were
contact, involvement in
‘unemployable’ by others standards,
local issues, educational
but by taking them on one at a time and
opportunities and
showing them there was a better way,
advocacy at a national
Jeanette and her husband changed so
level. My aim is to see our organisation flourish by focusing
many of their lives. “I believe success
on the needs of today’s young rural women and actively
is measured by what’s left when all the
meeting those needs.”
labour is done,” Jeanette said.Perhaps
the Sensible Sentencing Trust would be After dinner entertainment at
out of a job if there were more people national conference included the
like the Creans in this country. amazing creations of Oropi branch
members, who stunned delegates
Delegates listened in awe to dress
with their outfits and ensembles
designer and publisher, Annah Stretton,
created from shower curtains,
whose energies seemed boundless, about her successful
plastic bags, doilies and tablecloths.
Now in their eighth year, the women
entertain at various functions
around Tauranga.

Congratulations to Elsie McInnes,

who attended her 50th RWNZ
conference in Rotorua!

When our National Conference was

last held in Rotorua, Elsie was our
Dominion President, the office she
held from 1984 to 1987.

Page  Strengthening Rural Communities

Keeping abreast of fundraising campaign Director’s Scholarship Winner

our people
If you are out and about in Mid Canterbury keep an eye out Hilary McNab was
for the Winchmore rural women at work. Maureen Maginness announced as the winner
and Sandra Curd followed of this year’s Directors
in the footsteps of more
Course Scholarship at
famous‘calendar girls’when
national conference. The
they threw off their tops at
conference and proceeded to scholarship is sponsored
launch the latest Winchmore by Meat & Wool New
Branch fundraising project Zealand, and the course
for breast cancer research. run by the NZ Institute
of Directors.
The pair gave us a sneak
preview of the delightful 2008 Hilary decided to apply
Calendar produced by the after being motivated by a presentation at the Ministry
.branch with mid Canterbury of Women’s Affairs when she attended the RWNZ
Sandra Curd (rt) and Maureen rural scenes and carefully
Maginness Wellington Experience earlier this year. “The Wellington
positioned models - all branch Experience was motivating for me and I hope I will be
members - who bared their flesh down on the farm, all in the name
able to in turn motivate at other levels.”
of a good cause. Sandra Curd says the women were passionate
about the project as some of their branch members had sadly “I see the course as an excellent opportunity to do
been affected by some professional development as I have served on
breast cancer. numerous committees and boards, and this course
Just like the presents me with an opportunity to upskill. It will move
Calendar Girls me out of my comfort zone and be a tremendous challenge.”
movie, the first
run of 1,500 Hilary is on the Farm Board of Management at Telford Rural
calendars has Polytechnic and the Coopworth Sheep Council of NZ as
sold like hot well as serving as Provincial President for South Otago Rural
cakes and a re- Women New Zealand.
print is already
being tipped. “Miss June” - Sandra Curd ‘at work’ in the
The Branch’s aim sheep yards
You Go Merle!
to raise $15,000 Two years ago Merle
for the Cancer Society is likely to be surpassed. To order calendars Wyllie entered our
write to Ngaire Brown,‘Logan Stud’, 226 Cochranes Road, RD7, national speech
Ashburton. $15 a copy, cheques to Winchmore Branch RWNZ. competition speaking
on the theme
Tributes and Trophies “Women Are Ready”.
Sherrill Dackers, our outgoing president, was made a National Life She talked about all
Member at national conference in Rotorua, recognising her years of the activities she’d
service including membership of a number of Boards and Committees tried, and suggested
and her commitment to social issues, particularly health. that perhaps she
Tribute was also paid to Rhonda Riddle, retiring national would have a go
councillor for Region 1, who was made a National Member at sky-diving next.
of Honour. Her astute mind, involvement in land care issues S o t o c e l e b ra t e
and contribution around the council table was acknowledged her recent 75th
as she was made a National Member of Honour. birthday, she went
The Honora O’Neill Trophy for the Best Provincial Report was to Taupo with her
won by Jan Crayston of Otago. The Cora Wilding Cup for granddaughter Amy,
handcraft (a spectacle case) was won by Anne Murphy, and the and daughter- in-law
Wool Competition (a wall hanging) by Margaret Springett of Fiona, and signed up
Taranaki. The Talbot Trophy for Best International Report went for a tandem dive.
to Melva Robb of Marlborough, while the Lady Blundell Trophy
for the Most Innovative Branch Project was won by Drummond “The plane climbed to 12,000 feet. Then we were buckled
Branch in Southland for their collection of local history.The securely to our jump masters and jumped out free falling
Marlborough Short Story Award was won by Beverley Blanche rather rapidly to 6,000 feet, until the parachute opened.”
of West Melton Branch, and Fiona Gower of Waitanguru Branch
won the national speech competition with her take on the theme The rest of the descent was at a leisurely pace with plenty
“Sure to Rise”. Bev’s short story and Fiona’s speech can be viewed of time to look down on Taupo township. Merle steered the
in the Members’ section of our website.Hilary McNab of South chute right to the landing spot, and the three women later
Otago was announced as the winner of this year’s Meat and Wool celebrated together.
Director’s Course Scholarship.

Strengthening Rural Communities Page 

branchline welcome to new members
Hazel Logan, Tatuanui
Adrienne D’Ath, Masterton, Jane Hobden, Wanganui,
Ngaire Palmore, Putaruru individual members
Julie Lealand, Pauline Carey, Te Rahu
Carolyn Atkin, Ann McGuire, Sue Snape, Mahakipawa
Glenda Ord, Tokaora-Inaha
Dianne Boyack, Rebecca Denham, Jill Faber, Ruth Galloway,
Deborah Harris, Sharon Hayes, Linda Hoyle, Brian Hoyle,
Vicki Judd, Karen Kingswood, Anne Lunn, Heather Phillips,
Judy Philpott, Jenny Pyatt, Cathryn Robinson, Rachael
Schofield, Christine Stanley, Anne Stapleton, Jo-Anne
Stokes, Jan Stott, Pauatahanui WIF
Joy Winmill, Denise Cameron, Macraes-Dunback
farewell to old friends
Mary Dudley, Mangapiko
Doreen Harvey, Aoroa
Jean Stewart, Te Rahu
Margo Cornwall, Olive Penney, Otumoetai
Melba Evans, Glenroy
Eileen Dickson, Gore
Joan Bain, Roxburgh (Ettrick)
Phyl Aston, National Member of Honour, Stoke (French Pass)
Evelyn O’Connell, Macraes-Dunback
Peggy Sheat, Oamaru
Evelyn Donaldson, Lynnford
Joyce Clark, Motueka
honours board
Branch Life Membership
Beverley Roper, Helen Zieltjes, Fraser Road, Taranaki
Branch Bar of Honour
Joan Sullivan, Geraldine Craig, Marion Frost, Merle McIvor,
Te Rahu
80, 90, 100 Happy Birthdays!
Congratulations to three members of Poatiri
Branch, Otago, who recently celebrated special
birthdays
Shirley Hicks turned 80, her sister Isobel
Salter 90 and Jean McCulloch 100!
Mrs McCulloch celebrated her birthday
at the Dunedin Mornington Methodist
Church Hall, where friends and family
gathered for afternoon tea. “They are
three very special ladies in our Branch” says secretary Shirley
Murray.
Bequests: As a charitable organisation we welcome
bequests to assist with our work in strengthening
rural communities. Further information is available
from Executive Officer Noeline Holt, at RWNZ’s
national office, PO Box 12-021, Wellington. or email
noeline.holt@ruralwomen.org.nz.
Page 
Obituary-
Phyllis Rosa Aston-‘Phyl’ - 1927- 2007
WDFF - now Rural Women New Zealand - played a very important
role in Phyl Aston’s life, particularly when she lived on D’Urville
Island, where she raised her family of nine children, educating them
over 22 years through The Correspondence School.
Her family says“WDFF was her life when we lived on D’Urville
Island and the influence on us children has been immeasurable.
We all benefited from her participation.”
Phyl joined WDFF in
1943 as a junior member
and became a dedicated
member of French Pass and
later Stoke Branch. She
rose from Branch President
to Provincial President,
which meant long trips by
boat and bus to Nelson at
attend meetings.
During the 1980s, Phyl was
National Councillor for
Top of the South (region
3) and a member of the
Phyl enjoyed the Region 3 Honda House committee.
Education, conservation
conference earlier this year
and the environment were
Phyl’s passions and she kept other members informed on these
important issues. Her achievements at all levels were recognised
when she was made a National Member of Honour. Phyl
also loved the social contact that Rural Women NZ provided.
Regional and national conferences were her holidays. She was
the life of the party and loved meeting all her friends. Phyl was
a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, awarded for
services to rural communities.
“We have lost a great friend,” said Gabi Abeltshauser at her
funeral. “We will miss her very much. Our thoughts and
sympathy are with her family.”
Pup Pen to Paddock is a ‘no nonsense’
guide to rearing and training better
sheep dogs. The author, Lloyd Smith,
is one of New Zealand’s best known
sheep dog triallists, as well as a highly
respected sheep dog trainer. Pup Pen
to Paddock describes an easy to follow
system of training sheep dogs for every
day farm work. Lloyd Smith says the
book is a response to requests for written
information from the many tutorials and
training days he is involved in. The
training guide covers huntaways and heading dogs in every step
of their training from the pup pen through to membership of the
working team. The book is available for $15 plus $1 pp from LA
Smith, 1RD, Palmerston, 9061. We have three copies of the book
to give away. To go in the draw, write to RWNZ, PO Box 12-021,
Wellington, writing your name, address and “Dog Training Book”
on the back of the envelope.
Congratulations to winners of our last book draw. Last Line of
Defence by Megan Hutching was won by Pat Edwards-Sextus of
Dannevirke, while Farm - the Spirit of Rural New Zealand by
Vaughan Yarwood was won by Theresa Stark of Taupiri.
Strengthening Rural Communities
Marrying the farmer or the farm? Fitness Fun and Friendship on

noticeboard
the Otago Central Rail Trail
They came from Australia, Nelson, the North and the
South Island to take part in the Triple F Challenge issued
by our Otago Regional Development Officer Pat Macaulay
to RWNZ members to conquer the Otago Central Rail
Trail. In all 79 cyclists set out from Clyde and cycled to
Middlemarch over three days, with nine support crew
and 26 others who walked around 15km each day, all in
the name of ‘Fitness, Fun and Friendship”.

Steeped in history, the trail took the riders through

magnificent scenery, away from the main highways, past
small towns and settlements.

Jan Allan (front left) with Women in Farming members

at Ruapehu
Jan Allan caused a minor media frenzy last year following the
suggestion from her PhD research that farm women, or more
specifically those known as “farmers’ wives”, are not fulfilled
by their roles over time.
“As the lid has come off this tightly screwed container, the
subsequent publicity has given voice to the unspoken reality
of the changing expectations of women marrying, or expected
to marry, onto farms,” she said.
Jan’s research focuses not on women who have chosen to farm,
but on those who marry a man and thereby also married the
farm and often an extended farming family. Fay Taylor of Henley branch stamps her Rail Trail
While generations of New Zealand women have semed to fully ‘passport’ en route
embrace the pioneering spirit by following their man on to a
farm, the reality is these women often work through significant Members took the opportunity to visit the Historic Hayes
struggles in the processing of‘becoming’farming women. During Engineering Works at Oturehua, where several of New Zealand’s
her research, women described to Jan a long period of suppressing early fencing tools were designed and manufactured.
their self, while accommodating their ‘lot’ and ‘making the best Special mention must go to Ella McKerchar of Pleasant Point
of things’. Isolation can be not just geographical, but emotional and Gwenda Holmes of Dunedin, our eldest members to cycle
and social. Women may be challenged as they seek to find like- and walk the trail. Otago Southland national councillor, Rhonda
minded people and to develop good confiding female frienships Riddle, was joined by her sisters Marilla Fraser of Palmerston and
like they had when they were single. Sandra Reynolds of Queensland Australia. “Making new friends
But times are changing. Younger women are challenging the was an important part of the rail trail experience and to many of
historical expectation that they will live on farm supporting us this was an unimagined challenge, which we wondered if we
their partners in their careers and neglecting their own. For could really achieve, Mrs Riddle said.
others, the women are chosing agriculture as a career. The three found the ride a great experience. At times during her trip,
Jen Lancaster a member of King Country Women in Farming, while sitting enjoying the view and having a rest, Rhonda was able
organised an FMG-sponsored retreat attended by 27 members at to feel the isolation and reflected on what a Godsend our organisation
Chateau Tongariro recently, with Jan Allan as guest speaker. Jen must have been for those early settler women and their families.
says“I did feel as a WIF group we had probably addressed most She says “Although communication, transport and household
of the problems associated with marrying a farmer and made the conveniences have advanced hugely since then, loneliness can still
choice to be part of the farm, so there is not the total feeling that be an issue today and RWNZ is still needed.”
the farm‘dictates’.” But, she says, Jan’s work has made us realise
that some rural women are still unable to exert their opinions and
needs. “This is due to farming in some communities still lagging
behind the liberated times of younger urban women.”
Jan pointed out that if you don’t stand up for yourself,
no-one else is going to. It’s the manner in which the
message is delivered that makes a difference. We need
to become good negotiators and communicators. “It’s a
bit like having a dog that bites. How do you change a
behaviour that’s been happening for a long time?” The
issues are complex, and the needs and solutions individual
The Triple F Challenge team set for a frosty departure from
But one thing is clear, women’s needs must be prioritised.
Ranfurly

Strengthening Rural Communities Page 

Women in Farming
How to train a sheep dog in one easy lesson…I wish!
by Sallie Moore, Hawke’s Bay
Peter Allen, Kereru dog trainer and retired trialist, says
there are many ways to train dogs, but they all take time,
patience and consistency. Cheerful, articulate and quietly
spoken – even to his dogs – Peter demonstrated the subtle
art of dog handling to a fascinated group of Rural Women
members at a Hawke’s Bay Women in Farming Group
meeting recently.

Peter believes in discipline for farm dogs from early

puppyhood, saying a month of a dog’s life is the equivalent
of a year for a child, and a dog is mature at 24 months.
The most important commands for the dog are ‘Stop’ and
‘Come’ and he teaches these when the puppy is about four
months old.

Socialising is very important and the trainer should talk to

the puppy at least four times a day. Peter’s quick course in
dog psychology included the best way to approach a dog,
how to stop dogs barking on the chain and how to establish
dominance without fear.

Demonstrating with two of his own dogs ‘Smith’ and his
14-month-old daughter ‘Penny’, Peter showed that even
well trained dogs continue to learn: his young dog Penny
accomplished something she had never managed before
Peter Allen gives Denise Davis some pointers in the Anawai
Station yards
says until the dog knows Stop, Come, Over and Back
– that’s Left and Right if you don’t speak Sheepdog – and
some other more esoteric commands, there’s no point in
distracting it with the interesting sight of sheep. His main
aids are a light rope, a pole with a collar at the end and
shorter sticks to guide the dog in the required direction.

We only had four hours with Peter Allen, but we could

easily have spent all day and more watching and learning.
Our own dogs, despite our fears, were not beyond
redemption, Peter said. He gave individual tips for better
dog control and training regimes and was optimistic
about the futures of what looked like serious nutcases in
comparison to his own haloed dogs!

WIF members watch as Peter works with Robyn Bunny and

her dogs from Elsthorpe

– squeezing past sheep crowded into a corner to move them

out. He was very pleased with her progress, pointing out
how brave a slender, light dog has to be to push past much
heavier, stronger ewes.

All Peter’s basic dog training is done without sheep. He

Official Journal of Rural Women New Zealand • PO Box 12021, Wellington • Tel 04 473 5524 • Fax 04 472 8946

Email enquiries@ruralwomen.org.nz • www.ruralwomen.org • ISSN no 1171-4425

Editor: Head Office, PO Box 12021 Wellington • Printer: Precise Print, Paraparaumu

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