Weekend focus Saturday, September 19, 2015
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Ashburton Guardian 13
Above – Willowby Eiffelton CWI catering for P. A. Haacks clearing sale around 1967 – Valerie Snowball, June Chivers, Margaret Lovett, Mary Wilson, Pauline Grieve, Cynthia Scarr, Margaret Fraser, Elizabeth Schmack, Josephine Cooper, Blanche Johnston, Aileen Chalmers, Heather Whiting, Patricia Read, Olive Bearman, Margo Bain, Verna Hastie.
w life into Women’s Institute young rural women to share
... there are other platforms that maybe do that better.” She is referring to the hugely popular Farming Mums NZ page that boasts over 5000 members where all manner of issues are discussed. A former city girl herself, Sarah understands the unique challenges women face when they first come to a farm and it’s more common than it was in the past. “A lot of friends I’ve made locally don’t necessarily have rural backgrounds.” She cites two English ladies in her area who met their Kiwi farmers overseas and came back to live with them. “You kind of question things. Am I doing the right thing and
am I doing enough? We’re naturally busy people having come from strong careers. I guess we’re looking for another sense of fulfilment by sharing our story and gathering people along the way.” The girls have keyed into a strong resurgence in handcrafted hobbies among young women. Bex herself dabbles in spraypainting antlers and sanding and oiling odd bits of wood she finds on farm while Sarah, who is a great cook, often shares recipes online. Others inspire with photos or interesting projects they are working on. Although the Facebook page has been a way to share, Bex believes meeting in person is
equally important – something a group of Waitaki Valley ladies do often. The page creates a conversation, she says. “But it’s still great to meet for a coffee once a week face to face.” The page has given them an insight into some amazing businesses rural women are involved in – including two Duntroon women who make headboards – and they want to continue to promote small businesses. For Bex the page has become far bigger than the original Trade Me for rural women concept she had originally planned. “Social media is offering us support and a place where we can all come together and share ideas.”
the New Zealand Federation of Women’s Institute office and is shocked when the national president Kay Hart attends their first meeting in July. It has already become clear to Kay that something must be done to rescue the organisation and she suggests they stay as a younger separate group to the other institute branches in the area.
“And so Tea and Tarts was formed,” Sarah laughs. The name was inspired by the English version – also with younger members who are driving the revival of Women’s Institute there. Once declining, English counterparts boast 20,000 members and growing. For Sarah – the first president of Tea and Tarts Marlborough – it is all about sharing face to face.
“It’s what our rural women are missing out on – the whole village thing. Nowadays the first thing you do when you have a problem is Google it. Back in the days you went to institute or rang your neighbours.” With 16 paid-up members (the levies go back to Women’s Institute) and a handful on the fringes, Sarah and other rural women have been busy putting their vari-
Sarah Connell and Bex Murray from the Waitaki Valley and the founders of Facebook page Young Rural Ladies.
ous skills to work. Recently they entered the Marlbourgh inter-institute festival competition where they entered between them 100 items and took home the trophy. Next month they will make a coaster out of felt balls, drink some coffee, share some stories and plan future meetings where they hope to have speakers. For 74-year-old WI president Kay the girls are a breath of fresh air. “And all I want now is for every branch to do the same thing.” Kay is progressive in her outlook and realistic in the face of declining membership. She knows institute must evolve and reach out to younger women. In the past, rural women were often stay-at-home mums, these days
many are tertiary educated and have come from strong careers – and all are using social media to network and inspire. “We’ve been told if we want the institute to die, sit back and enjoy your meetings or you can get out and push it. We are a fun group even though we do community work as well.” Since the 1920s Women’s Institute has played an important role in New Zealand rural life. From supporting soldiers in wartime to teaching women the basics of cooking, gardening and everything in between, institute has been the backdrop to a socially supportive environment for all women. The generational shift of the past decade has been the most difficult issue of all facing institute, causing Kay to advocate starting younger groups like Tea and Tarts in Marlborough, alongside the older branches where membership can range from 20 to 99. “You cannot expect the 99-year-olds to appreciate what the 25-year-olds want.” Kay believes retiring women may also be important in future. “Because women work through to 65 and it takes two incomes to buy a home, they don’t create the hobbies they once did.” Thrilled with the success in Marlborough, she is hoping Sarah’s lead will catch on around the country. “It’s not happening fast enough for me, but it’s started!”