100 years of solidarity
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ), originally the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, was founded in 1925 by a group of 16 women who sought community and friendship, addressing the isolation and hardship faced by women in rural settings.
By Alison Burnett Whakamaru Rural Women secretary
The organisation emerged from a desire to share experiences, support one another and improve living conditions on farms.
From that early group, many other rural groups were latterly set up, our own Whakamaru Rural Women being but one of many thgroughout the country.
The inaugural meeting of Whakamaru Rural Women (then Women’s Division of Federated Farmers) was held on 1st July, 1953.
From this first meeting the group flourished, providing companionship, and fostering friendship amongst its members, and so providing a really worthwhile service to the women of the then isolated district.
We were very much supported by the Piako-Waikato East Provincial members, whose meetings we attended 3-4 times a year.
Many changes have occurred within the area over the years, but our membership has stayed fairly constant.
In earlier days we were involved in fundraising events. Catering for the annual Tihoi stock sale run over two days, drawing large stock numbers, was a very lucratrive and fun way to raise funds.
Also cake stalls and catering for shearing competitions and farm clearing sales.
These funds enabled us to make donations to worthy causes eg rescue helicopter, Taupō Hospice, Foodbank, St John Ambulance etc.
As land use changed in the area, farms amalgamated and dairying moved into the district. Roads improved and women and families were more able to go into town for sports and companionship.
One thing that has never changed is the companionship our group enjoys , frequently having past members returning to join us for our monthly meetings.
From young wives in the district, we are now the ‘matriarchs’ (apologies to our younger members) with quite several of our group now alone.
The friendship and support continues, as do our monthly meetings, and is all due to those wise women back in 1925 who formed the first Rural Women NZ group.
Happy Centenary Rural Women New Zealand.