Summary

Colour digital photograph of Maureen Hall with dairy apprentices from the 1999 Warragul Women on Farms Gathering.The quilt depicted in the photograph was made to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Victorian Women on Farms Gatherings and was on display for the duration of this Gathering. The idea for the quilt was initiated by Quentin O'Keefe in May 1998, a new farmer to the area and member of the West Gippsland Women on Farms. The design was inspired by a quilt design sourced by Lyn Johnson, a member of the West Gippsland Women on Farms, who acquired it directly from contacts in the Linn-Benton, Chapter, Oregon Women for Agriculture, USA. Quilt design, layout, machine assembly, hand piecing and hand quilting were undertaken over a six month period by members of West Gippsland Women on Farms: Jan Slater, Margaret Gray, Margaret Roots, Quentin O'Keefe and Pauline Mathews.
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.the absence of rural women in mainstream histories and museums.

Description of Content

A group of dairy apprentices sponsored by GippsDairy pose with the Warragull 10th Gathering Quilt at the 1999 Warragul Women on Farms Gathering. The quilt depicted in the photograph was made to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Victorian Women on Farms Gatherings.The quilt has thirteen quilted and embroidered panels illustrating the many elements of rural life and farming enterprises in West Gippsland region. For example: timber from Powelltown and Narracan, daffodils from Ellinbank, a dairy cow and an Angus cow common in the region, potatoes from Thorpdale, wine from Warragul, apples and pears from Cora Lynn, and a grey 'Fergy' tractor. The terracotta sashing represents the rich soils of West Gippsland. Present in the photo is Maureen Hall, 4th from left, who was chairperson of the Gathering.

Physical Description

Colour digital photograph.

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