27 FREE PUBLICATION Vol. 25 Vol. No. 18 34 No. A FREE PUBLICATION FROM YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATIONS 3WM AND MIXXFM
Wednesday, 13, 2016 Sunday, March 12 Wednesday, March 8, 2023January
GET FISHING: Horsham Fishing Competition’s Steve Thomas, front, with, from left, Jason Brady, Lindsay Barry, Gloria McRae, Bruce McInnes, Robyn Gulline and Matt Haughton welcome people to the annual event this Sunday – while also encouraging people to be safe and responsible as they fish, camp and socialise along the Wimmera River across the long weekend. Organisers expect more than 1100 people to register for the competition. Story, page 7; weekend events calendar, page 15. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Workforce challenges L
BY JESSICA GRIMBLE
iving in a rural area is impacting women’s career choices and progression, leading to implications for financial security and independence.
Severe workforce shortages are, ironically, improving women’s participation in work in rural areas, including the Wimmera and Grampians. However, a culture of ‘gendered’ roles, caregiving responsibilities and a lack of childcare, and the ability and-or consideration to reshape roles for flexible work practices continue to impact people’s ability to choose whether, and how, they participate in work. Dr Cathy Tischler, Dr Kelsey McDonald, Emma Dallamora and Professor Keir Reeves, of Federation University’s Future Regions Research
Centre – Horsham Hub, are researching how living in a rural area impacts people’s choices and their ability to work. Data shows there is a higher proportion of women working part-time in rural areas, compared to urban centres. “Our dire workforce shortages are really addressing women’s participation in the workforce in a very fast way – and that’s doing more than any policy change could at the moment,” Dr Tischler said. “Is gendered part-time work a problem or a perk of rurality? “We just don’t have the supports in place that would make this a genuine choice for women – or for men. And let’s get to the point when men can make that choice, too. “The fact we don’t have structures in place to make that choice means there
are implications for women’s financial security, for women’s independence and women’s career progression in our region.” Dr Tischler said women were the ‘default’ caregiver in most cases in the Wimmera and Grampians. “And it’s not just mothers who are out of work for periods of time to manage children; we also have grandmothers stepping in and managing childcare because of the lack of childcare services in the region – so we are taking two generations out of work,” she said. The research found women were making choices about career progression based on their own perceptions and experiences, and largely without talking to their employer about their options or aspirations. “It’s a lesson for us, as women, about speaking up and being able
to have honest conversations about what’s going on and what you need to make it work,” Dr Tischler said. “We also found management turnover could be slow, and that has impacts on people’s career progression and their willingness to stay in the region; it also creates challenges for new ideas. “If you’re a woman and a more senior position comes up, and you’re not in a position to take it, that might be your only opportunity for your lifetime if you want to live and grow your career within the region.” The research found living rurally impacted women’s aspiration to leadership roles – which was closely related to ages and stages of life – and that women working full-time were likely to be less satisfied with work. It found employers’ understanding of work was largely focused on hours,
not output or outcomes; and that expectations often did not match the resources available to do the job. Also, harvest periods have a ‘major’ impact on workforce availability, which was particularly recognised by healthcare services. Dr Tischler said equity was considered a ‘job’ with a compliance focus, not an opportunity for cultural change. The research team conducted almost 80 research interviews with executives and employees of public sector organisations including local government and health services – either individually or in a group setting. Most Wimmera and Grampians public sector workplaces, and people of all genders, participated. The Victorian Gender Equality Commission funded the research. A report will be available in coming months. • Call for change, page 12.
IN THIS ISSUE • Positive start to field days • AFL tipping chart • Football-netball countdown artisanHP 0897
Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
HORSHAM
PLAZA K MART • SPOTLIGHT • BEST AND LESS THE REJECT SHOP • SPECIALTY STORES WWW.HORSHAMPLAZA.COM.AU DARLOT STREET HORSHAM
AUDITED: 20,980 COPIES October 2021 to September 2022
SALE
Source: AMAA; CAB Total Distribution Audit for further information visit www.auditedmedia.org.au
OUT OF SUMMER
THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ONLY SEASONAL CLEARANCE - MUST GO!