Review: A Place in the Stockyard

January 2017 | Nell Carr

A Place in the Stockyard The story of Tasmanian Women in Agriculture (TWiA) Fiona Stocker Forty South Publishing Pty Ltd

A PLACE in the stockyard tells the story of organising and bringing to fruition the group known as the Tasmanian Women in Agriculture.

They have involved themselves in all matters which concern rural families - finance, health and well being, education, climate change and politics. Now they are a force to be reckoned with whenever a matter of rural concern comes to the fore. And when one of the regular downturns in their particular industry occurs they embark on sideline businesses, or return to their previous employment in nearby towns.

While still a full time farmer and mother of young children, Emma Pinner - from NW Tasmania - researched the soy candle making industry, and had developed a thriving business, but when her partner suffered a massive stroke, with a dire prognosis, she had to take over the running of the dairy business. He began helping with the candle making to improve his motor skills, and Emma has given that the credit for his rehabilitation.

Women in the Meander Valley are well represented in the groups working to get the organisation going. Their professions before farming are useful in various ways.

Maureen Holland, (Dunorlan), had previously worked in banking. She helped members to become familiar with computer use and Internet access, and was able to secure a Federal Government grant to set up a website for TWiA. The Internet has become an indispensable tool in running rural businesses. Maureen has also been given the credit for helping the organisation to survive after withdrawal of Govt. funding in 2009. She became the first President after the group’s re-structuring to become an incorporated body in 2014.

Joan Field (Weegena) was one of the original movers and shakers who had grown up on a farm, and was a former State President of Rural Youth where many of the members met their partners. She is the winner of several awards for her endeavours in the agricultural industry, including an Australia Day award.

Many of the founding members of the group had been city based, and their abrupt initiation into rural living came as a rude awakening. Maureen Cameron (Chudleigh) had to learn to milk cows. At the 4th gathering of members at Poatina in 2000, she helped to organise accommodation for 200 delegates, and in 2012 with 4 other members managed catering for the gathering in Deloraine.

All contributors to the book, no matter what their background, love the rural life. Anne McCormack (Kimberley), has the last word. “We live in a perfect place, between Sheffield and Deloraine, and have a perfect view of Mt. Roland, the Western Tiers, and Quamby, and can see the sea.”

A Place in the Stockyard is on sale in Deloraine at the Great Western Tiers Visitor Information Centre, the Newsagent and Seppenfelts.