The root word for Courage is Cor – the Latin word for Heart. Having a heart for driving change is the courage to challenge. Women are considered to be the heart of rural communities. They are the natural connectors and are uniquely placed to identify any need for change within their wide circles. Generations of rural women have provided us with examples of the important role they play in uniting communities to support growth and development. This isn’t always easy and comes with risks. It takes a very big heart to challenge gender stereotypes and cultural norms.

Edith Cowan was the first Australian woman to serve as a member of parliament; she was born at Glengarry Station in Western Australia. Starting her life in a remote part of Australia, Edith understood the value of the women connecting for strength and support. She could also clearly see the need for a change in political representation in Australia. So, armed with both of these, she rallied supporters, promoted, and advocated for the rights of women.

Coming together to support a common purpose, is also what women and girls in rural communities have always had to do on the land. During both World Wars, when men were recruited into the armed forces, the women stepped up to take on what was considered ‘man’s work’ on the land, which they performed alongside the ongoing demands of caring for a family and household. Those women were courageous enough to challenge the gender stereotypes to do what had to be done for their farms, townships and country!

More recently in my rural community of Biloela, I have seen first-hand how women having the courage to challenge has driven change. A hard-working Tamil family seeking asylum in Australia were living in Biloela. Three years ago, they were removed by the Australian Border Force and placed into detention. Biloela has a declining population and struggles to maintain a workforce for their primary industries like agriculture, and the Murugappan family had become a part of the fabric of the town. I watched and learnt as Angela Fredericks and Bronwyn Dendle used their networks and connections to mobilise our whole community and establish a campaign that grew to international recognition. They shone a light on asylum seekers in Australia and the challenges faced by struggling towns in rural Queensland. The motivation was electric. I attended rallies, vigils, did media interviews, and promoted the cause through my social media networks. I felt like I did have the courage to fight for change in my rural community because courage is contagious. They inspired everyone to consider the possibilities for our area and other rural areas like ours if we challenge the stereotypes of asylum seekers in Australia.

Since the earliest of times rural women have played a vital role in driving change. From the halls of Parliament House in Canberra to the quiet streets of Biloela, I have learnt from women who have had the courage to challenge. Edith Cowan, the rural women challenging gender roles, and the women behind the Home To Bilo campaign, have inspired me to have the heart to drive change. I look forward to motivating the rural women and girls in my connections and networks to also embrace the role we have in creating a future we design.