RWNZ display at the PGG Wrightson marquee at Upper Clutha A & P Show at Wanaka

Region 3 (Top of the South) regional gathering which is being held in Blenheim.  Start time is 9am, venue is the Nativity Centre, Alfred St, Blenheim.  Guest speaker (at 10am) is celebrity chef, Chris Fortune, on the slow food movement. All members most welcome, especially individual members.  Contact Liz Evans, ph 03 5724 809  email: stronvar1@xtra.co.nz  or, Melva Robb 03 5788 242.

Region 6 (Wainaki) – Regional conference Te Aroha.

Garage sale in Hawera – fundraiser.  Contact Helen, South Taranaki Provincial email harrybayliss@xtra.co.nz. 

Otago Provincial ‘Friendship Day’ hosted by Middlemarch Branch at Middlemarch 10am.  Phone Jan Miller (03) 486 2787 or email bidston@xtra.co.nz.

South Taranaki Provincial and Federation Women’s Institute bus trip to Wanganui to visit the FloravisionNZ National Conference.  Email Helen harrybayliss@xtra.co.nz. 

Otago Peninsula WIF field day.  Contact Peri Spence (03) 476 0017 or peririch@xtra.co.nz.

Rangitikei WIF – Farm visit Marg and Mike Webster

South Taranaki provincial RWNZ presents winter fashion in conjunction with Ballentynes, Hawera contact Helen email harrybayliss@xtra.co.nz. 

Southern Rural Women's Days - A wide range of exciting offerings will spice up your mid-winter days if you happen to be in Southland right now:

There are workshops on the basics of digital photography (Mandeville); navigating your computer (Winton); designing and sewing your own original reconstructed wool jerseys; rug making, lavender cushions, recycled embroidery, button necklaces (Invercargill); a visit to the Croydon Aviation Museum and workshop in Mandeville; Farming into the Future: Succession planning with Rabobank and AWS Legal; GPS farm mapping (Winton); Bluff Tour (Invercargill to Bluff); and a mid winter Christmas dinner and art, jewellery and photographic displays at the Croydon Hotel in Gore.  For full details contact Lyn Gutsell (03) 206 6780 or email nellyn@xtra.co.nz

Amuri Dinner Group – Drought Neighbourhood Support get together.  “The same day we received approval for the funding for our function the skies opened and it rained for a week” says Sharron Davie Martin.  The theme is Mid-winter Christmas and the group is also fundraising for its school bus safety campaign.  Bring a plate for a shared meal and door takings will contribute to the fund.  Door prizes.  Collette McGregor from St John’s Ambulance is the speaker.  Contact Sharron at davie-martin@amuri.net.

Otago Provincial Mid-Winter lunch – for all members at the Forbury Park Sports Bar and Grill.  12noon. Please phone Beverley Harbrow (03) 454 4965 by 18 June.

‘A Good Spread’ RWNZ cookbook launch – North Taranaki Provincial – at the Garlic Press New Plymouth.  Meet at greet 11.30am, lunch at 12noon.  $30 per person. Cookbooks will be available for purchase.  Tel:  (06) 754-6699  Email:  bullockcreek@primowireless.co.nz.

Korokipo (Napier) RWNZ is a late addition to the Beef+Lamb demonstration circuit, with Stephen Barry from Tauranga’s Mount Bistro fronting the show.  Contact Robyn Kilmister.  (06) 844 1570 or email kilhaven@farmside.co.nz.

South Canterbury Provincial Beef+Lamb demo – Timaru, 1pm.  With Ambassador Chef Darren Wright.  Contact Margaret (03) 688 5855 or email randmchapman@clear.net.nz. 

Pauatahanui WIF will be delving into the new Rural Women NZ cookbook ‘A Good Spread’ for inspirational nibbles and treats to accompany sublime beef and lamb offerings from well known Wellington chef and Beef+Lamb Ambassador, Rex Morgan.  Contact Joanne Cross (04) 237 7666 or email crossandco@xtra.co.nz. 

Succession Planning, the future of farming and off farm investments – Dinner event being organised by Rangitikei Women in Farming at the Sugar Plum Café, Marton.  Husbands welcome (encouraged) to attend.  Meal $25.  6pm.  Speaker is John Barber from Wealth Design in Palmerston North, also an ex farmer.  RSVP by 12 July to Lorraine Illston (06) 388 7804 or email illston@actrix.co.nz. 

Workshop Week Canterbury – Seminars on rural law and succession planning for rural families; plus health and safety legislation and how it applies to you.  The workshop format will be informative, interesting, interactive and entertaining, with presentations from BlackmanSpargo Law and ACC.

Rural law topics will include:  succession planning, environmental law and the Resource Management Act; debt management and more.

Health and Safety topics will include:  health and safety legislation; overall claim numbers and costs; causes of injuries on farms; planning, dealing with hazards, recording and investigating incidents, emergency planning on farms, training and supervising staff; discount programmes.

Workshop dates/venues:  Monday 26 July Russley Golf Club, Christchurch; Wednesday 28 July Benvenue Hotel, Timaru.

Numbers are restricted.  Registration $60 members and $80 non-members – includes morning/afternoon tea and lunch.

To register – by 5 July - contact Kelly Sutherland (Regional Development Officer) cjs47@xtra.co.nz or call (03) 337 1994.

Ashley Clinton Makaretu branch is hosting the Tararua Provincial meeting and is looking forward to having the president of NZ Red Cross, Penny Mason, come to speak and enjoy some rural hospitality.

‘Marketing to the Rural Sector conference’ – Auckland.  On the first day of the conference our national president, Liz Evans will be on the Farmers’ Panel along with Federated Farmers and Young Farmers representatives discussing ‘What are the current needs and interests of farmers and how does this affect your marketing strategy?’  For more information call (09) 912 3617.

Friday 29 April to Sunday 1 May 2011 – Looking ahead to next year we have, for the third time, and by popular demand the ‘Triple F Challenge’.  Planning is underway for this exciting challenge of the world famous Otago Central Rail Trail by either cycling the complete trail or walking parts of it over the three days.  To register an ‘expression of interest’ please contact Pat Macaulay (03) 484 7006, mob 027 201 6921 or email macaulay.p@farmside.co.nz.  Registration forms and full information will be available by late September on our website and via this e-newsletter.