A Murchison dairy farmer’s wife’s life took a rewarding turn when she stumbled upon the Rural Women group.
From being a tentative newcomer, Alana Clayton is now a fervent advocate calling for other Murchison women to come and be part of shaping lives and driving positive change.
Two years ago, Alana discovered Rural Women and has since become one of Rural Women Murchison’s strong supporters and advocates.
“I didn’t know much about Rural Women when I started coming along,” Alana says.
“But it’s a great opportunity to get out and meet new faces and socialise with people you don’t normally meet up with.”
The group has around 15 members and in the past 12 months they have been offering their services as caterers with the funds they receive going to local charities or events.
“When we do a catering job, the money we receive goes towards something specific,” Alana says.
“Recently we donated baking to the school, helped some Murchison kids attend the Spirit of Adventure, as well as helped a Murchison girl at Nelson College for Girls attend a netball tournament.”
Alana says that Rural Women groups all over the Top of the South have recently come together to discuss how they can influence change regarding the extensive time frame young ones are facing to sit their driver’s license tests.
“Due to the demand and hardships out there, Rural Women are looking at getting a driving license instructor to come into the area, this would save so many families travel time and costs,” she says.
Alana and her family have some changes on the horizon and are soon to be moving to Little Wanganui.
“It will be really sad to leave,” Alana says. “But the first thing I will be doing when we get there is connecting with their Rural Women branch. That’s one of the cool things about Rural Women, is there is a group almost everywhere.”
Alana says that, for her, some of the other benefits of Rural Women has been supporting the older generation who are involved and having an opportunity to take part in shaping some of the future for her own three daughters.
She would like to see more Murchison women get involved in the group.
“I’ve enjoyed the social side of Rural Women, other ladies would love it too, so come and meet us. It’s a great bunch of ladies and if other people can come and give a few hours of their time each month then surely we can all do the same.”
