Delving further, however, the saying ostensibly relegates women in agriculture to a supportive role, supplementary to that of the principle operator of the farm. Margaret Alston, author of Women on the Land: The Hidden Heart of Rural Australia argues that women have systematically been omitted when it comes to the history of agriculture in Australia and “are often seen as secondary in their relationships” on the farm.

The role of women in agriculture and farming has been perpetuated, among other factors, by the farming archetype. Like any archetype, it is grounded in truth and furthered by popular discourse.

Traditionally, men have passed the ownership and operating duties of the farm down to the son. Furthermore, the media, particularly in rural areas, presents the farmer as the ‘man on the land’, not to mention the effect of popular advertising campaigns such as the Australian beef industry’s catch-cry, “feed the man meat”.

Whichever way you look at it, events such as World Rural Women’s Day and the Rural Women’s Award and groups including the National Rural Women’s Coalition and Australian Women in Agriculture are doing their part in building the profile of women in rural areas and celebrating the diversity of their views and roles.

Daughter of Campbell’s Forest Farmers in Bendigo, Toni, spoke to the Weekly Times Now about the duties of women on the farm.

“You see them out on tractors, feeding the sheep, carting water, in the stockyards, in shearing sheds…then they’re getting the kids to school,” she says.

It is an “all hands on the wheel” attitude when it comes to Jenny Webb from Boolite. She works with her husband at their piggery and shared her story with the Weekly Times Now about how she broke into the male-dominated truck driving industry.

“You’re there to get the crop in and save on wages…I’ll do what I want,” Mrs Webb said.

Roma Britnell, winner of the 2009 Rural Womens Award (source: http://www.ruralwomensaward.gov.au/)

Roma Britnell from Western Victoria was the 2009 winner of the Rural Women’s Award. Ms Britnell has worked on the farm and at industry level for 10 years. She began with her husband on a dairy farm and is now the president of her district dairy farmers’ council and represents the industry as the Chairman of West Victorian Dairy.

(For more about Roma Britnell, see: http://www.agribusiness-australia.com.au/dairy/200912/606/)

Women certainly are the heart of the country.

What are your thoughts on the contribution of women in rural Australia?

Comment below or follow us on twitter @LiveTheDreamMag

Kylie Johnston

Third-year teacher Kylie Johnston moved from the east coast to central Australia, more than 1000km from the sea, and found a land of opportunity.

The 25-year-old hasn’t looked back since she made the shift to Yuendumu, where she teaches students in Years 7 to 9.

“I feel like I’m making more of a difference—and I make $5000 more a year here,” she says.

“I have much more say in how I deliver the curriculum and more responsibility. You can reach the senior teacher wage in five years and there are more opportunities for advancement in the NT if you do a good job.”

As a remote teacher, Kylie also has access to additional benefits such as an isolation allowance, special study and business leave, free housing, up to three airfares a year, and reimbursement of freight costs.

Kylie said she’s enjoying being part of the community and developing strong relationships with her students and their families.

“It does take a lot of hard work to break the ice with the kids and the assistant teacher, but you keep trying—and now my kids hug me! They’re really responsive. … and they work hard for you. And education is important and valued by the rest of the community.”

Another benefit for Kylie has been the resourcing and support available to her.

“The resources at the school are absolutely fantastic,” she says. “I’ve walked into a classroom that has an interactive whiteboard and as soon I set foot in the Territory I got a laptop.

There’s a lot of resources available—basically as long as you can justify it.

“Once or twice a term I go to Alice Springs. I’ve found the conditions are very flexible. Also, other staff are very supportive. For example, the department has things in place where you can ring the psychologist, you can ring to get help with programming. You ring the department and they’ll email you and mentor you.”

For more information, go to www.teaching.nt.gov.au

Ruth Wilson

Ruth Wilson has lived and worked in Canada, USA, Japan, New Zealand and more recently in Canberra for the past six years with quantum-atom optics physicists at the Australian National University. After a short visit to Nelson Bay early 2008, she made a decision to undertake a lifestyle change and has settled on the water at Salamander Bay.

“The natural beauty of Port Stephens offers secluded bays for safe swimming and boating, pristine beaches, outdoor water activities such as fishing, skiing, diving, dolphin and whale watching.

In her role as Nelson Bay Town Coordinator, Ruth has discovered a strong sense of community in Port Stephens that presents a very pleasant environment for living and working in the area.

“Our research shows that visitor numbers to Port Stephens continue to increase and with that growth, business and the local economy can only become more vital”.

Port Stephens, a unique destination for working and playing.