From North Star to New Guinea

Born in Trundle, west of Parkes, Mrs Mitchell OAM, who has lived in North Star for the past 56 years, travelled the world when she held the role of the South Pacific Area president of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW).

Today, on the International Day of Rural Women, she’ll spend time at her branch meeting, but she took the opportunity to share her opinion on just how important rural women are to global economies.

Standout moments from the recent Women in Australian Agribusiness forum.

“Women do so much of the actual farming in lots of countries,” Mrs Mitchell said.

“It’s important to know how essential rural women are in the economy as in lots of places they get very little recognition.

From South Africa, to India and the South Pacific Islands, Mrs Mitchell said there was a great deal of common interest that united rural women across the globe.

“They want better health for their children, better education for their children,” she said.

“They want to be able to earn money or be recognised for the contribution they make in their villages.”

Mrs Mitchell first joined the State executive of Country Womens’ Association (CWA) of NSW in 1984 and was elected to go to a South Pacific area conference in New Zealand.

She met the South Pacific Area president at the time of ACWW, who awakened a keen interest in international affairs.

“They next year I was fortunate enough to go to the world conference in Dublin,” Mrs Mitchell said.

“That was even more broadening and I was completely hooked.”

The past president of the CWA of NSW spent many years travelling to the South Pacific as part of a team of women upskilling local rural women in everything from sewing, to cooking, growing vegetables and typing.

“It’s amazing how they take these skills back to the women in the villages and teach the other women,” she said.

“Whole villages can be turned around.”

Mrs Mitchell hasn’t done any project work for about five years, but she stays up-to-date with the progress of villages she has worked in and hopes to return to the South Pacific islands in February.

The CWA of NSW plays an active role supporting rural women in the South Pacific Islands and has done for many years.

Each year the CWA of NSW sends hundreds of Mother Baby Packs to women in the Pacific Islands, including Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Samoa.

These kits are used by women giving birth in remote locations, far from medical facilities and includes items such newborn baby clothes, nappies, bunny rugs, and a nightie, underwear and bath towel for the mother.

In addition, each year about 20 women’s organisations in the South Pacific Islands are sent three village packs over a period of 12 months

The UN International Day of Rural Women celebrates and honours the role of rural women on 15 October each year. It recognises rural women’s importance in enhancing agricultural and rural development worldwide.