The Andrews Labor Government is delivering for rural and regional women across Victoria with new funding for an important leadership and mentoring program.
Victoria’s first female Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford made the $500,000 announcement at the inaugural Victorian Rural Women’s Network Forum in Creswick today, which was attended by more than 120 women.
The Victorian Rural Women’s Network also issued the first edition of its annual magazine, Network Connect, which features profiles of women across Victoria, a professional guide to securing board and leadership roles, regional wellbeing research and a comprehensive directory of support groups.
The Forum catered to a broad range of rural women from towns, farms and boardrooms across regional Victoria and provided all attendees with an opportunity to network and initiate mentoring relationships and boost their skills in a range of areas including financial literacy, social media, leadership and wellbeing.
Attendees also reflected on key leadership insights from Alana Johnson, one of Victoria’s most high profile and highly regarded women’s rights advocates who was the master of ceremonies for the event.
Since it was re-established in July 2017 with $1.7 million support from the Labor Government, the Network has been empowering rural and regional women across the state.
The Network helps enable women to share information and ideas, provide them with opportunities for professional development and networking, celebrate and promote their achievements and encourage women to have a more active voice in government and their communities.
For more information about the network or to subscribe, visit extensionaus.com.au/VRWNetwork
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“As a woman, a mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend, and a politician -it is important we stand together and relish the opportunities that the much loved Rural Women’s Network provides.”
“We’re so proud the Victorian Rural Women’s Network is back after it was inexplicably cut by the Liberal-Nationals because it means so much to rural women across our state.”
“Our funding towards a leadership and mentoring program is about empowering our rural women and giving them the tools to succeed, however they choose to define that success.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020