Summary

Royal blue scarf with yellow hand-painted wattle-like emblem on one end. This scarf was worn by the donor and by other members of the 2003 Yarram Women on Farms Gathering organising committee. During the weekend, all members of the committee wore blue shirts, blue scarves and yellow name tags so that they could be easily recognisable to Gathering attendees. Reflecting on the experience of organising the 2003 Yarram Gathering, the committee wrote in the 2003 Yarram Gathering Program: 'We are fortunate to have a committee and it is a pleasure to work together. All members have worked hard and learnt much. Each has been prepared to step well out of their personal comfort zone to achieve this weekend. We are proud of our achievements and do hope all those attending have a pleasant weekend. Committee members can easily be identified by their blue shirts and blue scarves and yellow name tags'.
Part of Museums Victoria's Invisible Farmer Project Collection. The Invisible Farmer Project was the largest ever study of Australian women on the land, uncovering the histories and stories of Australian women in agriculture. It began as a pilot project (2015-2016) and evolved into a three year (2017-2020) nation-wide partnership between rural communities, academic, government and cultural organisations, funded by the Australian Research Council.

Physical Description

A semi-transparent royal blue scarf, polyester, yellow painted wattle-like emblem on one end of scarf,

Significance

This object was collected by the Chairperson of the organising committee for the 2003 Yarram Gathering. It represents and celebrates the voluntary work of those women who worked on the committee to bring about the Gathering. A key feature that unites all Victorian Women on Farms Gatherings is the voluntary nature of these events. Women from the local region usually come together approximately one to two years prior to the Gathering to begin planning and organising, which includes securing a venue, sponsorship, accommodation, catering, publicity, tours, workshops and speakers. During the event the organising committee continue to oversee and run the Gathering, and it is customary for them to wear something that will make them identifiable to Gathering participants. Objects such as this blue scarf represent the voluntary contribution that these women make not only to the Gatherings themselves, but also to their local communities and to the wider rural women's movement in Australia.

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