Rural Women New Zealand members and invited guests have celebrated 100 years of the movement at Mystery Creek.
Rural Women New Zealand Waikato provincial branch vice president Janet Williams with Dame Patsy Reddy at the centennial.
Around 200 members and guests arose to their feet in the Bledisloe Building on Friday to recite the Rural Women New Zealand Creed, asking God to keep them from pettiness and help them to be large in thought, word, and deed.
National president Sandra Matthews highlighted some of the organisation’s achievements since its first members came together for afternoon tea a century ago, including sending nurses on horseback into the bush and raising the equivalent of $1 million in a month to buy a spitfire in 1946.
“All the way throughout history there’s been a focus on charitable work,” she said.
“Each generation has responded to the challenges of the time.
New Zealand Fieldays Society chair Jenni Vernon told the crowd the day held special significance for her.
Vernon’s great grandmother had been a founding member.
“She was a woman of grace who believed in her own vision to lead, organise and uplift her community.”
Vernon had received the New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal in 1993.
Member of honour Janet Jenson described Kate Shepherd as a woman of heart who campaigned for the vote, not for a picture in the paper.
Jenni Vernon
Rural Women New Zealand patron Dame Patsy Reddy spoke of the organisation’s early days when rural women needed to support each other.
“That’s not really changed,” said the former governor general. “You are the glue that binds and support our communities, and I thoroughly enjoy working with you all,” she added.
As chair of the New Zealand Climate Change Commission, she challenged the crowd.
“What legacy will you leave for the next 100 years? Climate change is the greatest challenge to our future.”
The event concluded with the donation of $2500 to Young Farmers for use in events that will encourage membership.
Friday’s event followed Waipā King Country Provincial branch’s centenary lunch at Te Awamutu Bible Chapel.
Dame Patsy Reddy
