Women’s roles growing

Women play a vital role in modern day farming — with the Women in Farming Enterprises group recognising this at their annual seminar next month.

Held in Lake Grace this year, it will bring together rural women from 13 WIFE branches across WA.

The theme is Farming Towards Tomorrow, with speakers covering topics such as sheep tracking, cyber-crime and safety, and communicating with family and staff.

Host Yvette Downey from the Lake Grace WIFE group said they were holding the seminar to expand their knowledge of the farming industry and family wellbeing.

“WIFE is a growing network of local branches. The annual seminar is a chance for the women to meet and network together,” she said.

“Men have traditionally done the manual labour on farms, supported by the women, but in today’s society with more mechanisation, technology and office management needed, the role of the farmer’s wife has evolved.

“So along with that comes the need for a rural women’s group that focuses more on the farm.”

More than 100 delegates are expected to attend the event on Tuesday, September 17.

WIFE has been named a semifinalist for the 2019 Horizon Power Leadership and Innovation Award.

The winner will be announced on October 18.