Jackie Elliott is the driving force behind the growing Rural Women’s Day organisation in Australia.
In our first profile featuring a woman from over the ditch I couldn’t think of a more inspiring person to interview for this series, and I thought why not release it on October 15 – Rural Women’s Day.
Not only does Jackie hold down a fulltime job, she is the one-woman-band behind Rural Women’s Day (which is a not for profit organisation), and co-host of Ducks on the Pond, a podcast for rural women.
Hailing from the small south west Victorian township of Byaduk (pronounced ‘buy a duck’ for us kiwis), Jackie grew up as the fifth generation of children born to the land on her family’s farm at Barfold in central Victoria, at the junction of two rivers. The farm was part of a family partnership and, sadly, Jackie’s family were the ones to move on from that farm. Even so, it’s intrinsically part of her identity, and she remembers it as a magical wonderland.
Family connection is something Jackie values dearly, and also female connection. Three years ago she noted it was the UN’s International Day of Rural Women. She also noted there was nothing happening in her district to mark the day.
“It wasn’t being celebrated. I thought, nothing is happening, what am I going to do for next year? I had no prior event management experience, but I had a vision to bring women together to celebrate them, and to share inspirational stories.”
She put together a one-off event for October 15 2019 and 100 tickets sold out within three weeks. So she put on a second event, which also sold out. Jackie has had to be resilient in the face of Covid restrictions, with last year’s event cancelled she created a keepsake magazine (again, no publishing experience, no problem). This year, again, her planned events were cancelled. Undeterred, Jackie collaborated to create two gift parcels to mark the day.
Describe yourself in 3 words? Passionate, resourceful, resilient.
Was there a lightbulb moment for you? Yes and no. I found it very difficult selling and moving away from our family farm, where I thought we would be forever, and had close to 10 years of having anxiety and really not coping at all with change. There was one moment when I was leaving mum and dad’s (new) home and I’d had a really terrible week at work and was on edge, the anxiety was ridiculous. I’d been home helping dad with the lambs and had the best two days. It came to Sunday afternoon and it was time to pack my bags and leave, as I drove away I looked in the rear vision mirror and had the realisation of where home was. That became my end goal, to live in the area and have the benefit of having mum and dad and their farm close by, to be able to call in. That’s when I started calling this area, Byaduk, home. I realised what I have here is worth living for and growing with. It was feeling comfortable with myself and where I was, and what I was doing.
Best advice you’ve ever received? Not so much advice, but I remember a boss I had - when you asked him about something or he wanted something done – he’d say ‘make it happen’. I don’t know why, but when I get stuck it comes back to me. Being resourceful, what do I need to do to make it happen? Just make it happen.
What do you hope for Rural Women’s Day (RWD)? I hope RWD can be the opportunity for someone like myself a few years ago to go, hey, I would love to host an event in my community but I need some guidance and support to get this off the ground. To be able to give them the tools and a package to plan an event locally. I hope that if they run under the RWD banner it could financially support them, being a branded network that women recognise, not necessarily just on October 15. I want more women to be able to attend an in-person event. I think it was important for me, I started RWD because I needed that connection. I realised it wasn’t just me that needed that connection with others. I don’t think rural women take enough time for themselves, and having a time that’s dedicated, that people can put in their diary and plan around. It’s a day out to be empowered and listen to other inspirational stories – I think many of us thrive on that.
Dream way to spend a day? I would start with French toast, I love French toast, and iced coffee. I’d wake up here in our little house on the hill with the best view in the district, and then it’d be one of those last minute times when dad calls up and asks me to give him a hand on the farm. Because I work in front of a computer fulltime throughout the week, my ideal day is to get out and do some physical work with the dogs. A day like that, helping my dad, you feel like you’ve had a fulfilling day.
What does family mean to you? My parents have been together nearly 30 years. Growing up, mum worked away for a long time, she was away during the week and dad used to look after us three kids and the farm, as well as having a job in town at the stock yards. We didn’t have extravagant holidays growing up but we have always communicated really well, nothing is off the table. I can ring and talk to mum or dad about anything, and my siblings. We’re a really close family unit. We used to show cattle growing up, we didn’t do sport, but we went around the shows as a family. When we had to leave the farm, I was 16, the only constant was mum and dad. I can’t go a day without talking to mum on the phone, if it’s not once it’s 10 times. I get so much from mum and dad, they’re like my best friends. The relationship I have with my family and joy it brings me…family is so important, they’re your lifeline.
One thing you can’t live without? I’ve spoken enough about my family, that’s definitely one thing I can’t live without. I really appreciate living here with (fiancé) Dan. I don’t think I could live without Dan, I mean, I’m marrying the bloke, so I should probably say that! But seriously, Dan’s like an extension of my family and I’d probably be lost without him. And my little dog, Ted, he goes everywhere with me.
What advice would you give others wanting to do a podcast? I don’t really listen to podcasts but my co-host Kirsten (Diprose) is big on them. I didn’t start a podcast because I know how to edit, that is Kirsten’s job, and you do need that technical skill. It’s a bit like RWD, it needs to be a topic you’re really passionate about. I’m not 100% passionate about a podcast, but I am 100% passionate about sharing women’s stories and reaching a broader audience. Kirsten is passionate about the podcast and it worked out to be a really good collaboration. I think having a co-host is good, it keeps things interesting. Kirsten does a great job mentoring and supporting me. I’m lucky to have someone so experienced in recording and interviewing to guide me in public speaking and recording interviews with guests I haven’t spoken to before.
What are you reading/listening to? I’m a real digital person. I enjoy using Instagram to fall down a rabbit hole and find new people to follow. It keeps me connected. To gather information and learn something new, I follow social pages.
There are some accounts that consistently pop up and that I engage with. Philippa from What’s for Smoko, Emily from Iris and Wool and Steph from Motherland are three that I enjoy and am inspired by. Philippa, I don’t even like baking, but I’ve got her back because I love the woman and how she supports and presents rural women. She’s a constant for me and I love engaging with her.
Two magazines that have been really consistent are Graziher for Australia and Shepherdess for New Zealand. They are magazines I look to for inspiration for RWD – they have the same audience and purpose.
Photo: Little Wild Love Photography
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