What a Year for Watershed Women!

Published 25th November 2022. Written by Maddison O’Brien

Watershed Landcare facilitates some special interest groups which meet regularly to explore different topics of interest directed by members. One such group is Watershed Women! Watershed Women has been running for a few years now to support women in the region by providing mentoring, professional development, and social connectedness. The women involved have diverse backgrounds, from grazing and horticulture to running local businesses, working on farms, or in natural resource management. Watershed Women are always open to new members dropping in to see what it’s all about. Here is your chance to meet new people and learn relevant skills and knowledge.

2022 has been a fantastic year for the group! Kennedy Porter, the Watershed Women Coordinator, has brought some fresh energy and enthusiasm to meetings and has made some incredible opportunities for local women possible. A standout opportunity was a ten-week welding accreditation completed by ten women in the second half of the year. Participants were trained in this versatile skill with generous support from TAFE NSW. At the end of the ten weeks, these dedicated women had completed a personal project and could now take this newly learned craft onto their farm, workplace or studios. One of the women who completed the course remarked, “What a worthwhile experience. Not only did I learn how to weld, but I made some lasting friendships with like-minded women along the way and built up my confidence that I can do things I never thought I could.” After the triumphant success and positive feedback from the women’s welding course, Watershed Landcare has offered ten more members an opportunity to learn. This second round of training is now underway, and it’s exciting to see what they will create during the course.

Watershed Women have explored a diverse range of topics and activities this year, such as a power tools workshop, wildflower walk, tour of Spencer Cocoa chocolate factory, tour of High Valley Cheese Co, Landcare Nursery visit to help and learn about the propagation of native plants and a fencing workshop, plus some lovely morning teas and casual catchups.

If you’re a local and want to meet some like-minded women, we would love to welcome you into the group! Looking forward to 2023, there will be a focus on upskilling women to feel confident completing tasks that have been traditionally male-dominated, such as chainsaw operation training. Activities and meetings will also centre around business innovation and social well-being. If you’re keen to be involved and keep updated with our upcoming events, why not get in touch with Kennedy at greenday@watershedlandcare.com.au