WOMEN way out west in New South Wales – somewhere beyond the crossroads of mainstream communities – have been given an intensive leadership skills training program targeting farming women in the Wentworth-Pooncarie districts.
Beyond the Crossroads: Developing Leadership Skills for Rural Women in Isolated Areas of Far-Western NSW was a training and leadership project initiative aimed at empowering participants by building their self-confidence, communication, and leadership skills.
Developed and coordinated by Mallee Sustainable Farming project leader Sonia Allen, the initiative emphasised personal self-investment and sought to “nourish women while recognising their invaluable contributions to rural communities”.
Ms Allen said women in rural areas often prioritise others’ needs over their own, especially during times of crisis, which can lead to burnout.
“The program focused on reconnecting participants with their strengths, experiences, and values to better support their family, business, and community roles,” she said.
“It aimed to provide opportunities for women to gather, share experiences, form supportive connections, and receive a variety of practical tips and tools to inspire and empower them.
“During the program, participants received a training handbook as a resource as part of its emphasis on personal self-investment.”
Ms Allen said being involved in coordinating the training program was a rewarding experience.
“It was a fantastic opportunity for everyday rural women to focus on what is important to them,” she said.
“Importantly, the women who took part were provided with a supportive environment where they could share their challenges and successes and recognise how they could develop their own leadership skills.”
Toni Duka, who was supported by co-course designer Tanya Lehmann, facilitated the training initiatives.
Ms Duka said the program focused on the needs of rural women who have limited access to personal development and leadership training opportunities.
“The commitment, openness, and honesty of all participants were remarkable,” she said.
“I felt extremely privileged to facilitate and support the training.
“I’m confident this initial training experience will lead to greater opportunities for the women and, importantly, help strengthen resilience and leadership in these unique communities.”
Pooncarie farmer Nicole Byrnes, who took part in the project, agreed.
“All too often, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the demands of being a mother, business partner, farmer, community volunteer, and more,” she said.
“A key takeaway from the program for me was the realisation we all need to be proactive in caring for our health and wellbeing.
“For me, the program was also about developing a success-focused mindset, building self-confidence, defining my non-negotiables, prioritising, and getting comfortable with saying no.
“We must take steps to reduce our workload, manage stress, and make time for activities.”
