JO KELLY
- Director & Primary Producer

I live at Booleroo Centre with my husband and four children. We run a farming business but most of our time is spent in our manufacturing business “Kelly Engineering”.

We have been marketing our product the Kelly Diamond Harrow around Australia for 15 years. In 2006 we began exporting to the USA. The export sales have grown rapidly doubling each year to a point where it now comprises 50% of our annual sales. I am a director in the business with my main role being the financial management. This includes: Payroll, BAS, Superannuation and Workcover payments, Accounts receivable and payable and foreign currency management.In February 2008 I completed studies with RST Training Solutions attaining a “Vocational Graduate Diploma” in Business Management – Rural and Regional Sectors.

I was a member of the Booleroo Centre District School Governing Council for eight years, the last two in the role of Chairperson. During this time I was involved with the Fundraising committee, Uniform Committee and Finance Committee, which was responsible for the budgeting and financial management of the school.

In 2000 I was a founding member of a Women’s Health and Parenting group run in our area. I along with 3 friends identified a need for support for young mothers and liaised with a women’s health worker to get the group started. I coordinated the group for 5 years. During this time we were successful in applying for a women’s health grant, which enabled us to purchase a variety of items to make the group run more successfully. A highlight of this time was successfully lodging an abstract about our group, from which we were invited to present at a National Health Promotion conference in Alice Springs in 2006.
I look forward to being part of the organising committee for the Melrose Rural Women’s Gathering. I know it will present many challenges but I have full confidence in the committee, they are all highly motivated women with a broad range of experience.

I have attended two gatherings in recent years and have gained so much from the experience. I have learnt many new skills from the workshops I attended, been motivated and moved by amazing guest speakers and met many new friends from all over the State. With the challenges the rural areas have faced over the last few years it was great to network with other women facing the same issues. It enabled me to have some time out from my busy routine of Business Director and Mother to four, and to grow and become stronger through the experience. Not only did I come away with new skills and knowledge but also a renewed confidence in why living in Rural South Australia has so much to offer both in good times and bad.

MELISSA KOCH
Team Leader & Primary Producer

I am an Occupational Therapist by background working my entire career in rural South Australia.

I am currently working as a Team Leader of a rural Primary Health Care Team for Mid North Health as well as working as the Service Development Manager for Pt Pirie Regional Health Service.

I have two children aged 5 and 7 years. I am a partner with my husband in the family farming operation which comprises of cropping and sheep production.
I have experience managing a range of grants both at the local community level and the corporate level. I was the submission writer for the Booleroo Tennis Club for 3 years which included managing the following grants: drought response grant ($5,000 for a community event), volunteer grant ($2,400 for equipment), and office for recreation and sport grant ($16,000 to upgrade tennis courts). Through my role as Rural Health Team Leader I have managed larger grant and funding applications including: Dept of Health & Ageing funding ($700,000 per annum for the last 7 years to implement Primary Health Care Services), Connecting Families Grant ($74,000 per annum for 3 years to implement a family centered project) and Kicking the Dust Grant ($20,000 to implement a young farmers research project).

I currently sit on several community and State committees including the Booleroo Centre District School Governing Council, Booleroo Centre Tennis Club, Remarkable Youth Action Team, SA Rural Women’s Gathering Committee, Kidsafe SA Board, Drought Response Task Group, South Australian Farmers Federation Rural Communities Engagement Reference Group and the Reference Group for the Staying Strong Research Project.

I enjoy the lifestyle and sense of community provided by living in Booleroo Centre and as such join in with as many community events as possible. I was the volunteer coordinator of Whits End (support group for women with small children) for 3 years and one of the instigators of the Mt Remarkable Women’s Group (social group for women of all ages). More recently I have also been involved in planning a community gym within Booleroo Centre. I am also an avid reader, love quilting and camping with my family.

I am a member of the SA Rural Women’s Gathering committee for Melrose as I believe strongly in promotion and supporting the roles of rural women. I have attended several gatherings and believe they not only benefit the wider community but provide an opportunity for local women to network and work together over a period of 12 months or more. I also believe that the skills developed through this process will assist the local community well into the future.

MICHELE SMITH
Police Officer & Primary Producer

I have been a country police officer for over 20 years.

Having served the communities of Whyalla, Coober Pedy, Port Augusta, Roxby Downs and Kangaroo Island, I then took up the position of Officer in Charge, Port Germein Police Station in 1994, becoming the first female in Australasia to be appointed to a single person station.

There I continued my love affair with rural and regional South Australia and started a new one when I met and married Robin Pole a local sheep grazier. This property has been in my husband’s family since 1854. Together we have successfully negotiated various changes to partnership structures and followed through with succession planning strategies. Our commitment has been cemented with two active and healthy boys, Thomas and Henry.

My husband likes to remind me that in these times of drought I am the only profitable paddock on the property, so he fully supports my work and passion for country South Australia.

I am currently the Crime Prevention Sergeant for the Yorke & Mid North Region, based in Port Pirie. I work with community groups, schools, NGO’s and other government organisations across 60,000 km2 to help address crime, personal safety and road safety issues at the local level.

In 2001 I was successful in gaining a $50,000 grant from the SA Office of Recreation & Sport to establish a large children’s playground on the Port Germein Foreshore. This also involved oversight of the project with a final budget of $120,000. Within SA Police I have managed two grants from the Motor Accident Commission over the last three years. Both of these projects (Stop.Think - $27,000 and Voluntary Breath Testing - $6,000) were aimed at reducing the road toll through community engagement and both have received State and National recognition.

In 2008 I was a participant in the inaugural South Australian Regional Community Leadership Program. This program afforded me a strategic and tactical overview of regional development, industry and opportunities as well as enhancing my leadership skills.

In May 2008 I was named SA Police Officer of the Year for my work with local communities in the areas of Rape & Sexual Assault, Road Safety and Crime Prevention.

I have attended three previous Gatherings and from the first one was determined that one day I would have the opportunity to be a part of organising a Gathering that would showcase our regional produce, history, arts and culture.

KATRINA KUMNICK
Project Officer & Primary Producer

I have always worked in administration, having worked previously for an Engineering Company and then a Farm Machinery Dealership.

I am currently working for The Rural Health Team, Mid North Health as a Project Assistant.

As well as this vital off farm employment, I also work with my husband on the family property and I am a mother to 3 young children.

I enjoy playing Tennis and am the current Treasurer of the Booleroo Centre Tennis Club

I am involved with the local netball club where I play and coach, and also served 8 years on the Netball / Football club fundraising committee. I facilitate “Net Set Go” a netball skills program for children aged 5 – 10 years.

I am a committee member of the Booleroo Centre Kindergarten and Rural Care Committee and I also serve on the Booleroo Centre District School Governing Council and head the Fundraising Committee.

I love to spend time with my family, play sport, read novels, listen to music, and cook.

Being on the Rural Women’s Gathering Committee has given me a wonderful opportunity to get to know, and learn from other talented women from my community. I wanted to be involved, so that I could help showcase our fantastic area of the State and to encourage young rural women to get to know, and learn from the more experienced women in our rural district.

I think that this gathering will be a celebration of all that the Melrose and Districts women are, and can be, after the past few years of debilitating drought

KRISTINA MUDGE
Senior Administrative Officer & Primary Producer

Originally from Adelaide, I met and married a farmer from the Northern Agricultural area of SA. We have two children aged 18 yrs and 15 yrs. Together, we have been running our farming enterprise for over 20 years in which time we have increased our land holding substantially. I also work off-farm on a part time basis as a senior administration officer in Port Augusta.

I have been volunteering since the age of 18 years in various areas of interest including:
Committee member of the Port Germein Progress Association and their Community Builders representative looking to engage the youth of Port Germein in worthwhile activities

Tennis and netball, both as an administrator and coach. I am currently the treasurer of the Solomontown Netball Club and also the President of the Port Pirie Netball Association (with over 700 players) and an assistant Secretary for the Port Germein Tennis Club having recently coordinated the building of new clubrooms.

Secretary/Treasurer of the Port Germein & Districts Hall. I have been managing the upgrade of the hall which has included coordinating refurbishment of the kitchen, painting both interior and exterior and the securing of a $14,000 grant to install acoustic bats in the main hall area. I also coordinate the old style dance program for our hall which has up to 70 participants on a regular basis.

Additionally, I am a volunteer teacher of English as a second language, helping migrant adult students to integrate into Australian society and to better read and write the English language.

I have a keen interest in organizing community events and have attended 4 SA Rural Women Gatherings since its inception. The gathering in Clare, a few years ago, sparked my interest in having a gathering closer to home to, not only showcase our wonderful region but also to engage the very talented, hardworking women that live here. I was very excited when I heard that there were other like-minded women who felt as I did that we could offer our time, commitment and passion towards organizing a gathering based in Melrose. The flow-on effects from these events surpasses anything I have ever experienced before as it is a forum for learning and networking but above all celebrating being a woman and realizing the talents that lie within.

RUTH CROOKE
Health Promotion Officer & Primary Producer

I have been living in Melrose for the past 7 years, and prior to that I was in Melbourne Victoria. The decision to move to a rural setting was based on our family situation at the time, and we have been very happy with our decision, as my two children have thrived in a small rural school and we have all benefited from the support that a small community has offered us.

After having some time out of the work force with my youngest child, and doing some external study, I have since been working part time in a Primary Health Care focused team, as a Health Promotion Officer. This work suits me very well, as I feel strongly about Primary Health care and community development principles.

In my volunteering I have been involved in my children’s School Governing Council for the past five years, and have been chairperson for 3 years. In addition to my role on school council, I have also been involved in fundraising and managing events for the school, as well as volunteering and working with students in the school.

I am a trained “foodie” and deliver healthy nutrition programs and cooking /nutrition information in schools and kindergartens. I have also been involved in the Melrose Community Development Association and Melrose Tennis Club. I have applied for grants through my children’s school, and assisted with grant writing in my role as Governing Council Chairperson.

I have never been to a SA Rural Women’s Gathering in the past, but I am keen to be involved in the planning and management of the upcoming event at Melrose. I can see the potential that an event like this can have in building community capacity, creating supportive networks and a sharing of skills and friendship of like minded women enduring similar experiences of isolation, motherhood, work-life balance, community involvement and a good opportunity to have a laugh and share these experiences together.

ROS DUNN
Proprietor
Joe’s Corner Shop

My name is Ros Dunn and 4 years ago my partner and I and our 2 children made a tree change to Melrose from Adelaide where we purchased an established gift shop with a house attached. Part of this move included wanting to become actively involved in the local community.

I have been a member of the Melrose Primary School Governing Council for 2 years and previous to this was the Chairperson of the Melrose Early Learning Centre Governing Council.

I am also a member of the Melrose Community Development Committee and now the Rural Womens Gathering Committee.

I decided to become involved in the RWG Committee as a way of me personally meeting more people regionally, but also as I think the RW Gatherings are a great opportunity for women of all ages to get together and be inspired and make connections with other women who they wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to meet.

SUE GIRDHAM
Registered Mid Wife
& Primary Producer

My passion for rural life is the reason I became interested in hosting the Rural Women’s Gathering in our region.

I have lived and worked in the Mid North for the last 31 years marrying and becoming a farmer with the steepest learning curve in professional development!

I am a Registered Nurse/Midwife and a Health Promotion Project Officer and work part-time in these roles. I love my work with people in the health setting.

In the last five years I have taken more of an administrative role in farming since our son joined his father in working the land. We have four daughters, the youngest being the only one living at home and they are interested in rural life and help out on the farm.

I have held positions as Chairperson of the Melrose Community Development Association and the Melrose 150 year celebration Melrose Under the Big Top, Secretary of the Booleroo Centre Amateur Swimming club, most recently with membership of School parent bodies, Church group, Tennis club, Football and Netball club, Quilting groups, Melrose Show Society and Founding Member of a women’s group.

I have applied for and managed grants for our local playground $20,000 and Baby Friendly Health Initiative $13,500 as well as the Melrose Under the Big Top which was partnered with Country Arts SA.

I am looking forward to hosting an event that gives each woman a memorable experience of Living,
Laughing and Learning.

JANE JEFFREY
Interior Designer

Hi this is Jane.

I live in a small town called Appila with my husband and four children. At the moment I am having time off from my job as an Interior Designer to stay at home and look after my children.

I am the secretary of the Appila Improvement Committee, which involves organising any events that are happening in our town.

In the last 12 months I have organised the first Anzac Day Dawn Service ever held in our town, which attracted over 60 people, a football club reunion which was a sit down meal for 100 people and a Backyard footy day at the Oval which attracted over 700 people.

With all of these events I had to organise the catering, advertising and the general running of the event on each day.

In addition to that I am also our Junior Tennis Coordinator, which involves the selection of teams and organising of practice nights throughout the season. We have recently gained a grant for our tennis club of $18,000 to construct a new amenities block at our club rooms.

I play tennis and social Netball as well as enjoying bike riding in the cooler weather. I volunteer yearly to help Bicycle SA with the Fat Tyre Festival

GENEVIEVE HEASLIP
Child & Youth Health Nurse
& Primary Producer
Committee Member

Career Highlights:
• Being a wife to farmer Jim and living on the land and mother to 3 lovely sons (even if we are in the middle of an Exceptional Circumstances Zone)
• Studying midwifery in Tasmania.
• Enjoy being a Midwife at Port Pirie Regional Health Service 1985- current
• Time spent working as a Pre-school Program Nurse 2008
• Completing my Graduate Certificate in Child, Adolescent and Family Community Health at Flinders University in 2007, and recently employed as a community nurse

Committees:
• Booleroo Centre District School Governing Council 2008-2009
• Work related workshops, based in Port Pirie
• Past Sunday school teacher at Appila Uniting church
• Past Junior tennis co-coordinator for Appila Tennis club
• Recently involved in a new gardening group
• Rural Women’s Gathering for 2010

Sporting Achievements:
• Retired netballer. Received a “most improved award” a long time ago!
• Tennis player. Now a fill-in
• Amateur bridge player
• Recreational Swimmer

Personal interests:
• Spending time with family and friends: gardening: swimming: reading (member of a book group)
• Traveling when able!
• Trying to keep fit!
• Meeting new people (and having a laugh)
• Attending weekends such as Rural Women’s Gatherings to get away and revive.