Time to honour rural women

WOMEN in agribusiness traded their jeans for dresses to celebrate International Rural Women's Day Lunch.

More than 60 women packed out the Explorer's convention centre on Tuesday to enjoy the delicious lunch organised by Rabobank.

Rabobank rural manager Bec Mickelborough said the purpose of International Rural Women's Day was to recognise the role women played in food production and food security.

"There's a saying that behind every great man is a great woman," Ms Mickelborough said.

"I would like to hypothesise that behind every farmer is a bit of a super woman."

"Some of you may do some of these or all of these: book keeper, mother, business partner, secretary, cook, clearer, gardener, bus service, teacher, farmer, vet nurse, agronomist and farmer and some of you even do work that 'pays.'"

The audience also had a chance to listen to guest speaker Rebel Black.

Ms Black is the CEO and founder of online business I'm Not Fussy.

He is passionate about re-connecting food providers with consumers.

Ms Black shared some shocking percentage about food wastage with the crowd, including the fact that about 40% of food is wasted.

"40% of the beef you go to the effort of producing that you take the time and energy and resources to make is wasted," Rebel said.

"How does that make you feel? It made me feel really angry on your behalf, as a person growing up on a farm and knowing how much effort you put into producing food."

Rebel encouraged the women at the lunch to join her campaign and using social media to reconnect consumers.

After a question and answer session it was time for the raffle to be drawn, with prizes generously donated by Rabobank and other local businesses.