She Gives connected with rural and regional leaders in women’s giving for an online gathering on August 26th, co-hosed by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).
FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton opened the session, highlighting the significance of this event and the importance of hearing directly from those focused on creating positive social change in some of the most geographically challenging regions of the country.
She Gives Founder Melissa Smith then led a panel discussion with Natasha Short (Kimberley Jiyigas and Maganda Makers) and Gina Fairfax AC (Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Ningana Trust). Both women shared memories and motivations around their own giving, along with insights into the challenges unique to rural and regional contexts. This set the stage for rich breakout conversations that further probed the motivations, enablers, barriers, and opportunities in this space.
This event was a continuation of the campaign’s mission to listen to and share stories from every corner of the country. She Gives Founder Melissa Smith referenced the richness of the stories coming out of our rural and regional communities, including one shared by Georgie Somerset AM, founding Chair of Red Earth Community Foundation, who told She Gives: “Coming from a rural community, I think we all grew up giving. Rural communities don't function without volunteers, so I watched my parents volunteer at all the functions and events that happened. As a family, we were always very involved. I think this kind of upbringing embeds an understanding that giving is so important for a strong community.”
She also called out the Women’s Giving Circle at the Northern Rivers Community Foundation, who use hyper-local knowledge to support women and girls across seven local government areas in far north NSW. Melissa cited their commitment to listen and learn from grassroots organisations as a powerful example of giving in action.
As with every Roundtable event we’ve held across the country, all insights captured in the breakout group discussions will inform the She Gives National Research Report - the most comprehensive report into women’s giving in Australia to date. The report will be launched in February next year by Governor General the Hon. Sam Mostyn AC.
