A free workshop this Wednesday calls to women on the land to get ready.

Do you know how to use a chainsaw, or lift a pump from the river if it floods? Or is that something your husband always does?

These skills and more will be looked at in a workshop and luncheon this Wednesday, September 18 at Windara Nursery in Casino - and all women working in the rural and agricultural sector are encouraged to attend.

With a theme of Storm, Fire and Personal Preparedness, the workshop is run by a group called Women on the Land.

Women on the land committee member Tracey Doherty said the event was created as a result of a community consultation after ex-cyclone Debbie which identified that people working on the land and women in general were under-represented.

“We wanted to find out what women wanted and needed,” Tracey said.

“So we held a meeting and about 70 women came said and told us what an emergency or disaster looked like for them and what skills they needed to gain to see it through.

 “At the moment, we have fires and drought and financial related stress causing trauma – there’s a massive array of things impacting on people.

“One woman said for she had physical health concerns and what to do if her husband was ill, or what if her crop is wiped out.

“It was heart breaking and empowering to have these women expressing themselves, talking about what they needed to get through disasters and how to be resilient, and what skill shortages they had.

“Vivian Miller told her story of living on a cane farm and has been through a dire situation in a flood losing her house before Christmas.

“Tracey said the workshop each other, sharpening their skill sets and knowledge base and making sure their family is included in putting plans together.

“If there’s a fire, at what point are you evacuating the house? If the family is home, do they know where to go if they can’t contact each other?

"One woman has a bag ready to go with her wedding certificate and photocopies of important documents. 

“Women can thrive on that information and it can start conversations about what they do at home.

“There will be theory and show practical tips, like how to start a chainsaw or a generator if you need to or how to lift a water pump away from rising flood levels, for extinguishers and how to climb a ladder safely and animal welfare.

“It’s also about having a plan for fires and information about apps they can put on their phone coming up show the apps they can put on their phone monitor things like fire.

“Women in agriculture need to be there – it’s a empowering, worthwhile, practical way of looking at preparing for disaster.

“This day will give women confidence to talk to their partners and say show me the generator or what do I do if I can’t get the car out of garage. 

Tracey Doherty is also a State Emergency Service (SES) volunteer and the Richmond River Cane Growers Association manager.

Wearing all her three hats, she said Women on the Land covers all areas and industries working on the land and this workshop will be the third workshop run in the area.

“Department of Industry and the Environment and the SES are working in collaboration with the North Coast Rural Producers Consultative Committee on this initiative,” she said.

“We also run a workshop called Tough blokes which is about men filling their cup up again to help their families. You can’t pour from an empty cup – it’s a mental health reminder for men that it’s ok to look after themselves.

“A representative from the Rural Mental Health Program will also be available if anyone needs to chat to the women at the Wednesday workshop.

“So come along, have lunch, learn something new, and meet other rural women in the area, local rural industry reps and emergency service personnel, and learn and share information and experiences.”

“We have a great group of women on our organising committee but we are still looking for women to join our group to help plan future events and strategies to support our local women living on the land.

 If you are interested in joining the group, contact womenontheland@gmail.com or phone Tracey Doherty on 0455 10 7792.

Storm, Fire and Personal Preparedness workshop Details:

When: Wednesday 18th September

Where: Windara Nursery – 253 Sextonville Rd, Casino NSW 2470

Time: Registration from 9:30, Workshop from 10am – 3pm

Cost: Free – Morning Tea & Lunch provided

Dress: Please wear casual clothing, outdoor shoes and a hat

To register, visit https://www.trybooking.com/BENRX