Recently a unique leadership skills training program targeting farming women in the Wentworth-Pooncarie districts was successfully completed.

The program “Beyond the Crossroads: Developing Leadership Skills for Rural Women in Isolated Areas of Far-Western NSW” was a training and leadership project initiative that aimed to empower participants by building their self-confidence, communication, and leadership skills.

The initiative was supported by the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund’s “Helping Rural Communities Prepare for Drought Small Network Grants” through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).

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. 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. The initiative emphasised personal self-investment and sought to nourish and empower women while recognising their invaluable contributions to rural communities.

The project was developed and coordinated by Mallee Sustainable Farming’s Project Leader, Sonia Allen. For Sonia, being involved in coordinating the training program was a unique experience.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for everyday rural women to focus on what is important to them. Importantly, they were provided with a supportive environment where they could share their challenges and successes and recognise how they could develop their own leadership skills,” according to Sonia.

Toni Duka, skilfully supported by co-course designer Tanya Lehmann, facilitated the training initiatives. For Toni, 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. I felt extremely privileged to facilitate and support the training. I’m confident that this initial training experience will lead to greater opportunities for the women and, importantly, help strengthen resilience and leadership in these unique communities,” according to Toni.

One of the participants attending was local Pooncarie farmer Nicole Byrnes.

“All too often, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the demands of being a mother, business partner, farmer, community volunteer, and more. A key takeaway from the program for me was the realisation that we all need to be proactive in caring for our health and well-being. 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 that truly light us up,” concluded Nicole.

Empowering Rural Women: Participants from both Wentworth and Pooncarie came together to celebrate the success of the ‘Beyond the Crossroads’ leadership skills program. Pictured with Sonia Allen and Jenny Garonne (MSF), Toni Duka (Program facilitator), and Fiona Bradshaw (FRRR).