Connecting women working on country
Centre for Participation CEO Julie Pettett and Volunteer Resources Officer Stephanie Thomson have been given a unique opportunity to put their skilled volunteering experience into practice this week, heading to Arnhem Land to cater for 150 women attending the inaugural Women’s Healthy Country Forum.
Setting off on their 3,500km drive on August 29, the pair along with Julie’s daughter, Bonnie and 3 month old grandson, will use campfires and barbecues to provide meals for the female rangers who are coming together from across the Northern Territory for the first ever network of women working in land and sea management.
Organised by Mimal Land Management at Emu Springs, 400 kilometres south-east of Darwin, the forum will bring together women rangers working in Indigenous land and sea programs across the NT to share their knowledge and experience, identify common needs and establish the network.
Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation elder and board member Annette Miller said: “Women’s time is right now”.
“Some people choose to volunteer in their local communities, and others choose to volunteer in other communities across Australia or even overseas,” Ms Pettett said.
“Volunteering has given me some wonderful opportunities and experiences and, as a skilled volunteer, I have met and volunteered with amazing people locally, nationally and internationally and I am excited to be attending this forum and using my skills to help others,” she said.
