Women celebrate achievements
Dairy Women’s Network marks 150 years of milestones
In 1893 New Zealand women got the vote.
In 1998 the Dairy Women’s Network began. In 2013 the first Get the Girls Out gathering was organised in Tararua.
In total that represents 125 years of women’s achievements and on Thursday December 6 at Dannevirke’s Farm Source these achievements were celebrated when ore than 70 rural women got together, organised by the committee which launched Get The Girls Out.
The women said it was a pleasant evening and thanks to sponsors it was free.
One of the organisers of the original event, Deanne Parkes, said the first night in Dannevirke five years ago was motivated by the need to provide rural women with the chance to get together, bringing Dannevirke and Pahiatua closer and a chance for sponsors to promote their products.
The evening is held each year alternately in Dannevirke and Pahiatua.
The women browsed the many products on display ranging from Nutrimetrics and Tupperware to jewellery and gift cards, essences and sportswear to chainsaws.
Sarah Gibbs from Pahiatua was MC for the night, outlining the background for the celebration, introducing guest speakers and announcing the winners of spot prizes.
Megan Edmeades, regional manager of the Dairy Women’s Networkcame from Hamilton to promote the organisation, saying it is in a leadership and growth phase after streamlining its processes.
Black Fern Rebecca Mahoney is one of only two women in the High Performance National Rugby Referee Squad.
She outlined what drove her to achieve, taking the audience up to her nomination as a referee for the NZ Rugby Awards on December 13.
Thanks were given to the sponsors, every woman receiving a substantial spot prize.
Supper was provided, augmented by a birthday cake iced by Liz Parkes.