YARRAM Regent Theatre was the hub for the 2023 event ‘Women on Farms Gathering (WOFG).
An idyllic location featuring all the original art deco chandeliers and fittings, and décor, which have been sympathetically restored to pristine condition.
Now Yarram may be small in size, but it most certainly is not small on impact.
The southeast Gippsland town has a population of around 2200 and is the regional centre for a prosperous farming community.
The town has a strong sporting and arts culture and is within 30 minutes of Ninety Mile Beach, Tarra Bulga National Park, seaside village of Port Albert and Agnes Falls.
Yarram is also known as ‘Heesco Town’ after world renowned street and silo artist Heesco Khosnaran transformed the town of Yarran into a multi-mural canvas over a two-year period, resulting in the acclaimed ‘Heesco Town Project’.
This world first was the dream of long-term Yarram resident, Eric Greenaway, and local artist and film maker Wayne Tindall. A group of dedicated locals was quickly formed and this group guided the project to what it is today - with all the street art depicting events or people of significance to the town and its history.
The painting of the towns’ water tower is a work currently in progress.
The first Women on Farms Gathering was held in Warragul, Victoria, in 1990 and have been held in different rural locations every year across the state since that time.
Event coordination is given to an autonomous committee of local women each year with the objective of the Gatherings to bring together rural women to learn new skills, share stories and, especially in the beginning, reaffirm their identity as farmers.
The weekend kicked off with registrations on the Friday afternoon and a team building exercise – forming groups to build a Lego 4x4 motorbike from a glimpse at a photo - then after, with the instructions.
The object being to self-assess your leadership skills.
Afternoon tea followed and some free time to explore the town before reconvening for a casual tea.
Saturday started with a pancake breakfast by the local Scouts, then back to the hub with speakers and then off on your chosen tour.
I got to do tours of four magnificent gardens - all very different with a stop at a country hall for lunch.
After returning to the hub, it was time to prepare for the Saturday dinner - this year’s theme was ‘Op Shop’ finest - a reference to the WOFG ethos of reusing, recycling and resourcefulness.
A highlight of Saturday night was a display of garments made from common farm finds.
These outfits had been on display over the years at the Horsham Field Days.
The garments presented were made from a variety of tree protection screening, wool packs, orange safety mesh, bones (boiled and cut with an angle grinder, then wired together), seed bags, dog food bags etc.
This was followed by a documentary - from the onset of an idea to a competition for the best garment made from farming materials.
The formal part of the evening finished with a discussion with the documentary makers and local inspirational women.
Sunday started with an egg and bacon roll breakfast then back to the hub.
Then we were all bussed to our chosen workshops - mine was eco-dying a silk scarf.
This involved preparing a piece of silk to take natural dyes.
Laying out a variety of native leaves and plant material on the silk then wrapping around a stick and tying tightly - then boiling for approximately two and a half hours.
The scarf was then untied and washed in natural soap flakes and dried and ironed to set the dye.
That scarf is now a wonderful memento of a fantastic weekend.
Back to the hub for lunch, a catch up with friends made at previous gatherings, and then time to pack up and head home.
Again, it was another incredible weekend spent with an inspiring bunch of rural women from all over the state (even some from South Australia).
It’s a weekend that I look forward to and plan for.
If you are interested in attending or hosting a Women On Farms Gathering, then please get in touch - it is an incredibly rewarding and meaningful experience.
