A cut above for rural women

Upper Moutere was vibrant with activity as 65 women from various parts of Tasman gathered for Beef + Lamb New Zealand AgriGals ‘A Cut Above’ ladies’ day earlier this month.

“It was a fantastic day, filled with a wonderful atmosphere, shared with like-minded women,” Amanda Henderson, based on the Tākaka hill from Beef + Lamb New Zealand, remarks.

“The local B+LNZ Farmer Council indicated a significant demand for such an event, and the feedback confirmed its importance.”

This event on 8 August was designed to celebrate and support Tasman’s vibrant rural community, by offering a perfect blend of upskilling, cooking, and socialising. Guest speaker Philippa Cameron, known for her role as station cook at Ōtemātātā Station in Central Otago and as an author and popular figure on social media under ‘What’s for Smoko’, shared insights into her experiences as a mother to sixth-generation children on the farm.

She discussed their sheep and merino operations on their extensive 40,000-hectare property, including a unique 30-day sharing arrangement.

Philippa also provided cooking ‘hacks’ and emphasised the importance of promoting farming through compelling stories. She finished off by making delicious scones which were enjoyed by all.

Motueka-born and raised Hannah Kelly gave a live butchery demonstration on a whole sheep, captivating and inspiring many with her skills.

Hannah, a qualified chef, is part of her family’s business ‘Kellys Homekill and Butchery’, and has a wide range of skills such as breaking down animals from standing in the paddock to the hot plate.

“It was really cool to see Hannah’s butchery demonstration, she made it look very easy, lots of us were fascinated with it,” Amanda says.

Two carloads travelled the journey from Golden Bay to the event, all agreeing it was worthwhile, and were pleasantly surprised to receive petrol vouchers for their dedication and travel time.

“It was an opportunity for all the gals to relax, socialise and connect with other rural ladies. Lunch was delicious and there were some incredible prizes given out,” Amanda says.

“We have some planning underway and are hoping to host more future events like this for Tasman.”