She did many moves: Matamata, Ngarua, Tatuanui, Kiwitahi, Arohena and Tokoroa. She has now been dairy farming with her husband at Atiamuri for 19 years and first joined the network in 2002 as a member of the Rotorua regional group.
“DWN is a brilliant network,” she says. “It’s a great way to meet women in your community who are on your level; women you can connect with because they are farming, have similar drivers and often face the same challenges. The network is inclusive and that support can’t be underestimated during stressful and difficult times.”
In her 20 hours a week role Forlong is supporting 18 regional volunteers who run regional groups in the North Island.
DWN chief executive Zelda de Villiers says Forlong brings a wealth of farming and leadership experience to the network. She is on the board of Rotorua District Vets and is about to complete the Agri-Women Development Trust’s Escalator programme.
“She has also contributed [much] of her own time to the DWN over the past 12 years, [helping organise] three of our annual conferences.”
The network inspires and empowers, Forlong says. She applied for the job because women play a huge part in the success of a dairy farming business.
After 30 years in the industry she wants to continue in a role at home with her husband Maurice, milking 360 cows on their 200ha (140 eff) property. They will welcome family home in the coming season.
Forlong says in her new role, supporting the network’s 18 North Island dairy farmer volunteers will be the priority.
“Dairying women who put their hands up to run the DWN’s regional groups are hands-on farmers themselves with busy workloads that include juggling farming and family responsibilities. We respect that they give their time freely to the DWN and other women in their communities to run these groups.
“Collectively our volunteer regional coordinators have an incredibly broad range of valuable skills. I see my role being to support and help them develop, share and deliver resources, information and training tailored to what the members in their area want.”
The volunteer regional convenors are responsible for planning all the events for the year in their own regions. Forlong says each group has a different agenda depending on the convenor.
“The level they are at in their own farming career, their farming experiences and how active the regional group members are in putting forward ideas and attending events influence how the regional groups are run. I would like to build on our inclusive ethos, aid the planning process and encourage the sharing of ideas between groups.”
Her South Island counterpart Cathie Cotter from Woodlands in Southland was appointed in June 2013.
The Dairy Women’s Network has 5000 members in 30 regional groups, 18 in the North Island and 12 in the south. Membership is free.
