The campfire was going early into the hours of morning at a property near Somerton, as Aboriginal women from across the region gathered to talk about change.
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And what was shared around that fire will be used by the United Nations to help empower indigenous women across the world.
More than 30 Gomeroi women talked about the rural issues impacting Aboriginal women at a two-day event organised by the National Rural Women's Coalition (NRWC). Organisation director Lisa Shipley said the program had the usual hallmarks of a run-of-the-mill workshop, but it was at the campfire where the real magic happened.
“Some of the most valuable stuff actually came from around the campfire,” she said.
“Aboriginal women have been part of rural communities since day dot, since Dreaming basically.
“The women said they have been under-represented for so long, and their voice hasn't been heard across all levels of government.
“We want to be in a position to take control of our own destiny.”
Ms Shipley said the group wanted to create more cultural places for Aboriginal women to gather and “connect to country”.
On Wednesday, NRWC president Alwyn Friedersdorff spoke to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in Sydney about the issues the Gomeroi women had highlighted.
“This tiny little group will have an impact on indigenous women groups right across the world,” Ms Shipley said.
“We are taking the voice of the women in our little community to a state, national and international level.”
NSW Aboriginal Affairs Minister and Gunnedah local Sarah Mitchell visited the women on the second day of the workshop.
“We talked about better support for the older generation of Aboriginal women in the region, more things for them to do and better access to transport services,” she said.
More activities for school-aged kids was also discussed – something Ms Mitchell, as Early Childhood Education Minister might be able to help with.
“There is a bit of a gap in support services for young children - those three, four, five year old Aboriginal kids coming through pre-school,” she said.