Rural women flock to fete RWNZ’s centennial
Eileen Orchard, Marlborough Provincial President of Rural Women New Zealand, speaks to attendees at last Wednesday’s garden party in Blenheim celebrating RWNZ’s centennial. Photo: Anna Simpson.
Marlburian sisters Glenda and Melva Robb play active roles in Rural Women New Zealand. Glenda is a provincial vice president; Melva, provincial secretary. So, when it came time for Marlborough to celebrate the organisation’s 100th anniversary year last Wednesday, familiar faces abounded.
Some 85 supporters from near and far gathered in Blenheim for a garden party with afternoon tea. Dignitaries included Mayor Nadine Taylor, Councillor Barbara Faulls, FFNZ President Evan White, and RWNZ National Centennial Committee member Sharron Martyn-Davies.
“It was a great day,” Glenda reflected, “lovely, warm and calm. Everyone enjoyed it, I think, because they made connections to people they hadn’t seen for years.
“It was like a reunion, really. A lot of people had shifted away, so everyone had a ball catching up. Getting together was really incredible.”
The farthest-travelled guest came down from Karekare. Two rode up from Christchurch, while others headed into Marlborough from Brightwater, Golden Bay and Murchison.
“All made a wonderful effort to attend,” Melva noted. “Everyone was chatting away so happily, all dressed up – women in pretty dresses, men with hats on. It was like going to Ascot.”
Salutes
Along with feting RWNZ, party organisers also celebrated individual Marlburians. They awarded Provincial President Ellen Orchard with a lifetime membership; presented long-time members Bev Black and Joy Prattley with bars of honour; and surprised Marion Day, a noted author in their midst, with a Service Simply Given recognition.
“She was just blown away by getting that certificate,” Glenda said of Marion. “She just couldn’t believe she was getting recognized for what she’s done.”
The national organisation formed in July 1925 by sixteen women who travelled with their husbands to a conference in Wellington. Known initially as the Women’s Division of Farmers Union, the group developed into Women’s Division Federated Farmers of NZ by 1946; the name changed to Rural Women NZ in 1999.
“Reflecting on the 100 years,” Glenda said, “I think the country would have been a lot worse off without Rural Women New Zealand – and I think there will be a need for them for a long time in the future.”
Visit www.ruralwomennz.nz for more on the organisation.