By Gerald Piddock

Copyright farmersweekly

Reading Time: 2 minutes

One hundred years of Rural Women New Zealand has been celebrated at a special lunch at Mystery Creek attended by more than 200 guests.

The event coincided with RWNZ events being held across the country, as well as 132 years of women’s suffrage.

The organisation was created in 1925 by Florence Polson with the purpose of supporting the health and wellbeing of women in rural regions.

Outlining the history, RWNZ national president Sandra Matthews said the following year, the first national conference was held in Wellington, attracting 100 people.

By its silver jubilee in 1950, there were 25,000 members and 650 branches, she said.

“All the way throughout our history, there’s been a focus on charitable work and this continues today.

“When there is an adverse event like Cyclone Bola or Gabrielle, Rural Women members will be there helping and providing financial support through our Adverse Events fund.”

The centennial is not only about looking back, it is about RWNZ respecting its heritage while looking forward, Matthews said.

“What has kept us strong for 100 years is our ability to adapt. Each generation has recognised the challenges of the time, from supporting families during the Depression and the war years to ensuring rural voices were heard on educational issues, health, social issues, business and the environment.”

Former governor-general and Climate Change Commission chair Dame Patsy Reddy said the centennial is a remarkable milestone and RWNZ a powerful force in national life.

“That determination to strengthen rural life has remained constant through every decade.”

Reddy is a patron of Rural Women and said it gives her an insight into the work of volunteers.

“You are the glue that binds and support our communities and I thoroughly enjoy working with you all.”

RWNZ’s founders could not have imagined the challenges its current members face round climate change, globalisation and digital connectivity.

“But they would recognise your values: resilience, courage and community spirit.”

These will be the values that carry RWNZ into the future, Reddy said.