The third Ladies of the Land networking event was, at last, a face-to-face function at the Burdekin Theatre. Pictured are (from left) Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin, professional photographer Fiona Lake, Isabel Stubbs from the Burdekin Zonta Club, CORES Queensland Coordinator Ross Romeo, Women in Sugar’s Amy Smail and NQ Dry Tropics Senior Grazing Field Officer Adrienne Hall.
Making important personal connections
LDC was a proud partner of the ‘Taking Time to Connect’ event that was held at the Burdekin Theatre, Ayr in October.
This event brought women together to connect and hear about the importance of connecting with others in regional Queensland. It was hosted by Queensland Mental Health Week (Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, Queensland Mental Health Commission) and:
- Burdekin Shire Council
- Zonta Club Burdekin
- Queensland Rural Regional & Remote Women’s Network (QRRRWN)
- NQ Dry Tropics’ Landholders Driving Change project.
Keynote speaker was Cores Queensland Coordinator Ross Romeo, who spoke about the importance of taking the time to connect with others and how to overcome barriers to connecting with others, especially during tough times.
The ‘Taking Time to Connect’ panel discussed how having meaningful social connections could impact positively on women’s mental health and wellbeing. The panel included:
- GP Registrar Dr Amanda Marano,
- Women In Sugar, Burdekin member Amy Smail,
- Specialised domestic and family violence social worker Mary Pearson, and
- Groves and Clark Solicitors partner Rebecca Fabbro.
MC for the day was ABC North Queensland Chief of Staff Paula Tapiolas.
Two events
LDC has held two women’s networking events this year, as well as being a partner for the ‘Taking Time to Connect’ event.
The aim of the events was to develop an ongoing platform for rural women in the Bowen and Collinsville areas to address relevant topics of interests and issues, education and training.
LDC is committed to bringing women together to discuss the diverse and complex experiences and challenges that they face in the regions, as well as to acknowledge women whose hard work, on and off the farm, significantly contributes to the development and success of their communities.