Subscribe to our mailing list

Sign up to our mailing list for the best stories delivered to your inbox.

We tell stories of rural and regional women. Latest issue is out now.

article-img article-img
People

Em Herbert and Jackie Elliott talk “belonging” in the bush

In her 20s, Jackie struggled with the isolation of rural life. Today, she helps country women forge forever friendships. 

relative_media

PHOTOGRAPHY GEORGINA MORRISON

Jackie with MC Stephanie Trethewey, an AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner, at a Rural Women’s Day event in Dunkeld, Victoria.

relative_media

PHOTOGRAPHY EMMA LEONARD

“It was the beginning of the most fulfulling, purposeful, unexpected, life-changing community,” says Jackie Elliott of making plans for her first Rural Women’s Day event.

In this week’s episode of Life on the Land, podcast host Em Herbert was lucky enough to catch up with Jackie Elliott.

The two spoke following a Rural Women’s Day lunch in Kimba, South Australia – an event that drew a diverse bunch from all over the Eyre Peninsula. Jackie is the powerhouse behind these Rural Women’s Day gatherings, having founded the not-for-profit in 2019. 

Back then, she was 25 and struggling with loneliness and the isolation of life in rural Victoria. Jackie knew she wasn’t the only one – and, being the do-er she is, she declared 15 October a day to down tools and hit the road for a community catch-up. What was meant to be a one-off has since become a series of sell-out events held around the country every year. 

“To feel like I belonged, I had to have a purpose,” Jackie tells Em. You can hear their candid chat on our Life on the Land podcast, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast platforms. Episode produced by Jayne Cuddihy.

Subscribe to Graziher and you’ll never miss an issue of your favourite magazine! Already a subscriber? Consider gifting a subscription to someone special in your life. 

Related Articles

Five minutes with shearer and mental health advocate Carol Mudford
People
Five minutes with shearer and mental health advocate Carol Mudford

Meet our latest cover star, the winner of the AgriFutures Australia Rural Women’s Award for New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory.

PHOTOGRAPHY ALEXANDRA MACALPINE
Christine Rasmussen is continuing her father’s legacy
People
Christine Rasmussen is continuing her father’s legacy

She reflects on her years at Brangus Park, from the beef recession of her youth to the cowboy she met at the Wingham Rodeo.

WORDS KERYN DONNELLY
Moments to remember, as captured by Graziher readers
Living
Moments to remember, as captured by Graziher readers

Bore runs, stock work and a chance to kick back… For these photographers, it’s the day-to-day moments that resonate.

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPH GRACE PERRY PRODUCER AMIE SHANN