Holstein Friesian announces new president
Holstein Friesian New Zealand has elected its first female president at the recent annual conference.
Her success was announced at the organisation's annual meeting held in Wellington attended by 80 members.
McGowan previously served a three-year term as national vice-president, and has been the national councillor for Bay of Plenty/Coromandel for the last eight years, taking a special interest in land use issues, bio-security and food safety.
McGowan says, "As national president I will build on our organisation's goals and aspirations to be dynamic, vibrant, leading, innovative and visible at all levels.
"Rural Women NZ's interest in land, health, education and community issues need our attention and advocacy, just as they did in the 1920s. As then, encouraging women living in rural communities to voice their concerns and support for one another is what we do well."
McGowan announced the appointment of Kerry Maw, the Rural Women national councillor for Canterbury, as her vice-president.
Looking ahead, McGowan says it is exciting to be taking a leading role in plans to celebrate the UN International Year of Family Farming in 2014. The organisation is planning a series of events in March and April around the country to highlight the important role of family farms in provincial economic prosperity.
"It's also an opportunity to strengthen links and understanding between rural and urban."
The annual meeting was officially opened by Rural Women NZ's patron, Lady Janine Mateparae, who said her decision to take on the patron's role was made easier by the organisation's commitment to provide a voice for rural women and rural families.
Prime Minister John Key also spoke at the opening ceremony and answered questions from the floor. He said there are significant differences between our urban and rural communities and the key question is how we make sure those differences and issues are understood by everybody. He cited broadband access, the volatility of weather that farmers must cope with and schooling in rural areas as key challenges.
McGowan and her husband Rusty farm a 260ha dairy support unit in Kaharoa in the Bay of Plenty. She is also an enrolled nurse and works as a casual play specialist at Rotorua Hospital's Children's Unit.
