Elders was the proud Platinum Sponsor of Motherland’s first national conference held in Launceston, Tasmania. Held across Friday 1 March – Saturday 2 March, the event brought together 250 rural women from across Australia.
With a vision of ‘no rural mum left behind’ Motherland is a national charity that advocates for the emotional wellbeing of rural mothers in Australia and delivers services that help build resilience and improve mental health outcomes.
With 80 percent (pc) of women indicating that isolation and loneliness is the hardest part of rural motherhood, the event actively pursued their mission of reducing isolation and enabling meaningful connections across the two days and beyond.
Olympic Gold Medallist and macadamia farmer Giaan Rooney OAM, the MC for the event, attended with an array of top-class speakers including Maggie Dent – renowned author, educator, and parenting and resilience specialist, Sam Bloom - bestselling author, 2 x World Para Surfing champion and inspiration behind global hit movie Penguin Bloom, and Jessica Rowe - journalist, bestselling author, broadcaster, mother and proud ‘Crap Housewife’.
Our very own Ashlee Kerrison, Scottsdale’s Branch Manager and mother of two-year old, Adella, shared her journey of motherhood and career spanning 18 years in rural products.
Ashlee Kerrison, Elders Scottsdale Branch Manager, speaking at Motherland.
“Through learning about Motherland, I have discovered that everyone’s story is important,” Ashlee said.
“I am very proud to say that we have five females working in our branch team in what can be seen as a male dominated industry.
“We have two mothers of young children on our team who do a fantastic job of balancing working on the land and being mums.
“We are paving the way for future females in our industry to have equal opportunities to be supported in their career and family life.”
Elders acknowledges that it is important to support organisations and initiatives, like Motherland, that increase connection and offer an outlet for women on the land.
CEO Mark Allison the importance of appreciating rural mums who play a pivotal role in farming communities and the agriculture sector.
“They are the backbone of our communities, which is why we are so proud to support and partner with Motherland as the platinum event partner for their first national conference, bringing together women and mothers who give so much of themselves to their families and their land,” says Mark.
At Elders, we believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to thrive and survive – no matter gender or postcode – and our collaboration with Motherland highlights our commitment in supporting the women who make our business function and thrive.
Stephanie Trethewey, Motherland Founder and CEO, and farmer, shared her deep appreciation for Elders coming on board as the platinum sponsor.
"Elders genuine appreciation of rural mums shines through. Motherland's National Conference was a huge milestone for our charity, and to see the joy it brought hundreds of women was just magic,” says Stephanie.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the Elders team for making it possible.”
The event was an opportunity for women across the Elders business, our clients, and rural women from all over Australia to ‘fill their cup’, celebrate rural motherhood and feel equipped and inspired to manage the unique landscapes across regional, rural and remote Australia.
Elders Agronomist, Ross Tulich, with 16 partners on Tasmanian farm tour.
In addition to the conference, Elders Agronomist, Ross Tulich, hosted 16 partners on a farm tour of northern Tasmania. Showcasing the variety and what the region has on offer, the group started with a visit to Upper Murray Seeds Research Station, then explored several Elders client properties including Burlington Farm, Burlington Berries – the largest privately owned soft fruit business in Tasmania, and ending the day with mixed irrigated cropping, lamb breeding and wool production operation, Formosa Estate.