NSW Rural Women's Gathering
The NSW Rural Women's Gathering is an annual weekend event organised by local committees with support from the Rural Women's Network.
The organising committee makes key decisions, develops a theme and the weekend program. Each Gathering reflects the unique culture, industry, tourism and environment of the host community.
Women's Gatherings are for ALL rural women including: farming women; Aboriginal women; women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; mining women; women in the fishing industry; women who live in regional cities, towns and villages; and coastal women.
Gatherings are a well established annual statewide community event for all rural women.
2012 Women's Gathering
Parkes, 12-14 October 2012
Did you know that 2012 is the National Year of Reading?
Did you know that 2012 is also the National Year of the Farmer?
Of course you know that 2012 is the 20th anniversary of the NSW Rural Women’s Gatherings and that Parkes will be hosting that Gathering from October 12 to 14.
To capitalise on the two national celebrations, the Parkes Rural Women’s Gathering has chosen the themes reading and farming.
The annual gathering represents a wonderful opportunity to celebrate these themes.
Being the 20th anniversary of the gatherings, some 350 to 400 visitors are expected to come to Parkes and the gathering committee is very active in planning and pursuing some fabulous ideas for women.
Bookings are currently being confirmed for venues, entertainment, keynote speakers including Jessica Rowe, workshops, market stalls, exhibitions, and much more.
In the meantime, check out the gathering’s website blog by going to: parkesruralwomensgathering.wordpress.com
For more information contact Lynn on 02 6863 4667 or Leigh on 02 6862 6000 or email parkesruralwomensgathering@gmail.com
Hosting a Gathering
Call for submissions to host the 2013 NSW Rural Women's Gathering
The Rural Women's Network is responsible for ensuring the Women's Gathering moves around the State and that committees have broad community support and the capacity to host the event. RWN reviews Gathering submissions annually in February and using a set criteria decide on the host town for the following year. This allows the chosen committee at least 12 months lead time and an opportunity to attend the current year's Gathering.
RWN is looking for interested communities who would like to host the 2013 NSW Rural Women's Gathering.
If you have a group of committed women, the capacity to host such an event and can demonstrate strong community support, contact RWN to register your interest.
These guidelines have been prepared for anyone considering hosting a Women's Gathering. For more information or if you would like to discuss your proposal contact the Rural Women's Network.
- NSW Women's Gathering Guidelines (
PDF 250KB)
Submissions for the 2013 Gathering will be accepted up to 31 March 2012.
Gathering proposals should be mailed to:
Rural Women's Network
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Locked Bag 21
Orange NSW 2800
Previous Gatherings
2011
- Friendship and Dreaming Beneath the Bucketts, a report by Emma Regan from the 2011 Gloucester Women's Gathering. [Coming soon]
2010
- Wander West to Wentworth, a report by Patty Byrnes from the 2010 Wentworth Women's Gathering.
2009
-
Making tracks - My experience of the 2009 Junee Women's Gathering, a report by Joy Beames, Dunedoo
2008
- Looking back… moving forw@rd at the 16th annual NSW Womens Gathering hosted by Coonamble, a report by Sonia Muir from the 2008 Coonamble Women's Gathering
- Video from the 2008 Coonamble Women's Gathering, by Wendy Bortolazzo
2007
- Rural women go flat out in Hay, a report by Sonia Muir from the 2007 Hay Women's Gathering
- Program of 2007 Hay Women's Gathering ( PDF 450KB)