Meet your Reference Group

Louise is a partner in a family farming operation (sheep and grains) in the Midwest of WA, and originally from a dairy/ beef farm in the Southwest. She is an Occupational Therapist and is interested in the arts, history, travel, culture and passionate about the rural heartland of Australia.

Louise has been an active member of local community organisations over the time her children, Amy (23) Caroline (21) and James (15), were growing up with an emphasis on communication and advocacy. She has experience as a young, isolated, professional woman; having children, education and health issues in the country; running a rural based small business; and involvement at a community, state and federal level in business, industry, educational and recreational pursuits.

Louise is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Programme; has experience in the Grains Industry and has travelled widely throughout Australia, North America, UK and Europe, parts of Asia. This experience confirms her thoughts, that those in rural areas and in primary production share similar values and concerns worldwide.

She believes very strongly in broadness of outlook, education, Australia-wide communication, and working together to achieve aims. She believes that rural people, whether in a country town or on a farm, share more in common than they are different. With declining populations and opportunities relative to city counterparts, RRR communities need to work together to engender the value and respect, opportunities and facilities for rural people. She believes that the RRR Network captures these values and works toward these aims.

Rural people are the heart and soul of what it means to be an Australian. Women are the lynchpin of the homes, the families, the businesses and the communities of rural Australia. Without supported, successful, unsung heroines who have continued from the foundations of Australia to the present day; the ordinary doing little extra-ordinary things on a daily basis; harnessing the power of diversity and integrity as women do, our country will be much the poorer.

Louise regards her appointment with the RRR Network as an opportunity to use her skills and talents with others of like minds to address the rural-city divide; support networks for young women in rural areas; continue to empower women in rural industry decision making and to advocate for rural, remote and regional women and families of Western Australia. Louise was appointed to the Reference Group in December 2007.

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Since coming to live in Hedland, Kelly has demonstrated leadership in raising the awareness and profile of the natural environment in Hedland and the Pilbara. Kelly has been actively involved in the local community through various service and sporting groups.

In October 2009, Kelly was elected by the community as the Mayor of the Town of Port Hedland, the second female and the youngest ever Mayor of the Town of Port Hedland and one of the youngest Mayors in the State. As a full time Mayor, Kelly continues to be a passionate advocate for the town and the region, both locally and interstate. Kelly was the founder of the local Care For Hedland Environmental Association which through on-ground conservation and town pride efforts, as well as ongoing dialogue with various stakeholders, has seen the Association become an effective and successful vehicle by which natural and social environmental issues can be raised and worked through in a positive and constructive manner.

Kelly's key focus areas within the RRR Network are: Building sustainable & resilient regional communities (infrastructure & social composition); Empowerment of female youth and Environmental awareness and climate change. Kelly is extremely grateful for the opportunities she has been given and she is keen to make sure that others, regardless of their circumstance or geographic position, have the same opportunities.

Kelly has the motivation, maturity in ideas and a strong team work focus; this has enabled the development of a thorough understanding of the needs and day to day issues facing women in regional Western Australia.

Kelly was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Penny moved to Kununurra in June 2008 and works as a Project Coordinator on an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) mango and mangosteen project in collaboration with Indonesia. She is also associated with a range of other projects in the Ord River Irrigation Area.

Penny grew up on a wheat/sheep farm just north of Wagin in the Upper Great Southern. After finishing Year 12 in Narrogin she took a year off to work in the area before heading off to UWA to study. Penny spent 18 months trying to find the right degree before deciding she'd had enough of the city and took a six month job with Green Corps in Mt Barker, specifically the Porongurup National Park. After that she returned to Wagin for a further 12 months before finally heading back to uni to study Natural Resource Management which she finished in October 2007.

In Kununurra Penny is part of the local squash club, plays beach volleyball, tried her hand at Ultimate Frisbee for a while, is hoping to join a netball team next season (even though she is a devout hockey player) and is helping some of her friends get a local CWA going.

Penny is passionate about agriculture, the environment and rural living. Who would want to live anywhere else??

Penny sees her appointment to the RRR Women's Network Reference Group as a fantastic opportunity to promote and encourage the contribution of women in the regions and also as an opportunity to learn and give back to the rural community.

Penny was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Natalie farms with her husband and their two girls on a broad acre cropping and livestock property at Yealering. She is actively involved in sporting, school and community groups in her local area and has served on many local, regional and state based committees and working groups.

Natalie has a broad understanding of rural and regional issues having lived and worked in rural WA for most of her life. After graduating from Edith Cowan University with a Bachelor of Consumer Science degree (Hons) Natalie moved to Geraldton to work as a Financial Counsellor and Co-ordinator of a community service agency. While working in Geraldton she completed a Master of Science (Consumer Science). Natalie also assisted farming families experiencing financial difficulty during her time as a Rural Financial Counsellor based in Lake Grace.

For the past 15 years Natalie has undertaken part time consultancy work for community service organisations, local government and state government departments. Recent projects have involved writing consumer resource material, training manuals, training needs analysis, business and strategic plans and a feasibility study.

Natalie is committed to continuously broadening her knowledge and skills and encourages others to reach their potential. She enjoys sharing new ideas and information, exploring options to overcome challenges and facilitating the growth and development of organisations. In her work as a Community Development Officer (part time) with the Shire of Wickepin, Natalie has assisted community groups to expand their operations, improve services and upgrade community facilities.

Natalie understands the benefits and challenges of living and working in rural communities and is keen to participate in future discussions on regional economics, community sustainability and education.

Natalie was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Irene has lived all her life in rural WA and been actively involved in many community and sporting organisations as a tireless worker for lifestyle enhancement of rural people. Irene has worked for many years as an advocate for retention and improvement of health services to rural people.

Irene is currently Chairperson of The Avon & Western Health Advisory Council, is past Chairperson of the Friends of the National Rural Health Alliance, (NRHA) board and council member (was Chair from 2003 to 2008). She is a Judge of National Awards for Local Govt in the Health and Wellbeing category, for the years 2005, 06, 07 and 08 and was elected as an NRHA representative to the National Rural Women's Coalition in 2003 (elected Vice Chair in 2005, Chair in 2006 and currently secretary (2008).

Irene has had many role in other community groups and committees including Secretary of the Dalwallinu Tele-centre Management Committee, Chair of a Task force in1998 for the then Minister of Health to review Governance structures for Rural Health in WA, a member from 2002 -2004 of the Active Ageing Taskforce of WA making recommendation to Government for Ageing in WA and in 2002 and 2006 was a member The Dry Season Social Welfare Committee for WA.

In 1996, Irene was awarded an Order of Australia AM for her services to health in Rural Communities, and in 1998 was awarded a Servicing Sister Medal from the St John Ambulance Association for her services to humanity. In 2001 she was recognised for her voluntary work in health by the National Health and Medical Research Council as 'West Australian Volunteer of the year'.

Irene continues to work for improvements to standards, sustainability and facilities and opportunities for rural communities. She has a strong belief that rural Australia has a good future and the communities that survive will be those with good leadership and the ones who are looking positively to the future.

Irene was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Kirrilee lives at Yuna with her husband Brett on the family's 12,000Ha mixed grain and sheep property. She is a born and breed farming person from the Chapman Valley region, who shares a passion for the agricultural industry with her family.

Kirrilee has a diverse background in Exercise and Health Science, Human Services, Natural Resource Management, and Planning; all with a common theme of people and community development. Kirrilee holds a Bachelor of Science qualification from the University of Western Australia, and is progressing towards the completion of a postgraduate diploma in Planning, focusing on social and community planning.

For the past eighteen months she has been employed as a planning officer at the Shire of Chapman Valley, and previous to this role was the Local Natural Resource Management Officer at the Shire for three years.

When not actively seeking contributions for community projects, or volunteering in various committees and activities, you can find Kirrilee playing tennis or netball, and travelling far and wide across Australia and in particular WA.

Kirrilee is amazed at the incredible strength of rural communities to overcome challenges, and make the best of opportunities through their own talents and spirit. As a member of the RRR Network she hopes to be able assist young people within rural communities to become involved in creating sustainable and liveable communities.

Kirrilee was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Following her graduation from the Muresk Institute of Curtin University with a Bachelor of Agribusiness "Farm Management", with Honours, Sally has been working as the Natural Resource Management officer, working with farmers within the Shire of Bruce Rock.

Sally is keen for the RRR network in WA to extend out and network with young women attending rural universities and young professional women in regions.

Sally was appointed to the Reference Group in December 2006.

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Jenifer grew up in the Wheatbelt on a sheep and wheat farm in Jennacubbine where the Jenna Tavern is very well known for the quality and size of the steaks! Jen lives in Northam with her husband and daughter where they have lived in the same house for 24 years.

Jen is currently a Regional Officer with the Department of Sport and Recreation - Wheatbelt based in Northam. She has been in this role for some 15 months. The Department of Sport and Recreation is the lead agency responsible for the implementation of government policy and initiatives in sport and recreation. Regionally, the role includes working in partnership with Clubs and Associations, local Government, individuals and other stakeholders in the development of sport and recreation, organisational and people development, participation, high performance, and infrastructure. The DSR Wheatbelt region covers 43 Shires.

Tennis has been a very large part of Jen's life - having been involved a varying levels including coaching and administration roles for many years. She has worked towards the development of senior and junior tennis within the Central Districts region by providing coaching and playing development pathways for players to the 17 Clubs within that region. She is passionate about providing country kids the same opportunities as their city counterparts and works diligently toward this goal.

Jenifer has a special interest in women in sport and volunteers but is also interested in the availability of role-modeling and mentoring opportunities for young regional women. She looks forward to contributing to the RRR Network.

Jenifer was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Karen Crouch moved to Kalgoorlie-Boulder as a newlywed in 1986. After studying at Kalgoorlie College (now Curtin) she started a computer consultancy business.

Karen has been part of many community groups during her years in Kalgoorlie. Currently involved with Goldfields Soccer Association (Treasurer), Goldfields Referees Association (Secretary), Boulder Primary P & C and Eastern Goldfields College P & C, WA Lutheran News (Editor).

Karen is interested in educational and sporting opportunities for country people; the effects that working in a mining town has on the family and supporting women working in male dominated industries.

Karen was appointed to the RRR Network Reference Group in January 2009.

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Dianne grew up in the eastern wheatbelt on a wheat and sheep farm, but also lived in Port Hedland, where her three children commenced their education. Moving back to Perth she completed her Bachelor of Arts (ECE) and then a Bachelor of Education. Dianne has now been living in Carnarvon for nearly ten years, where she originally worked at Carnarvon School of the Air. She then moved on to Carnarvon Primary School undertaking the Getting it Right Literacy position followed by a Deputy Principal's role.

She is now at East Carnarvon Primary School working with a Year 3 class and is involved with a wide range of community activities, including coordinating the junior netball association, lecturing at Carnarvon TAFE, assisting with community arts activities and the 'Active After School Communities Project'. She was named the '2002 WA Netball Volunteer of the Year' in recognition of the significant, lasting and real service to the Carnarvon community and the Midwest Gascoyne Netball Region.

Dianne recognises that the Gascoyne Region is a remote community and due to limited services and resources, because of its isolation, is keen to engage women in working towards positive self development. She is keen to represent the region in highlighting the need for: educational opportunities for educators and students with a broader range of services which includes Early Childhood through to Tertiary Education; more regular and good quality services being provided for women's health and health promotion in the community; and having more support structures in place to assist with isolation from family and friends.

Dianne was appointed to the Reference Group in January 2008.

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Paula's story coming soon.

Paula was appointed to the Reference Group in January 2010.

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Colby's story coming soon.

Colby was appointed to the Reference Group in January 2010.

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Cathie's story coming soon.

Cathie was appointed to the Reference Group in January 2010.

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Leonie's story coming soon.

Leonie was appointed to the Reference Group in January 2010.

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Sally's story coming soon.

Sally was appointed to the Reference Group in January 2010.

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