Summary

Twisted rope which is part of a suite of three icons selected by the organising committee of the Women on Farms Gathering, Shepparton, 2007. The various twisted twines are symbolic to all industries; farmers have used and continue to use twine. They have been plaited together to form the many threads of life that make up the diverse cultures and industries all woven together that make the Shepparton community so strong.

The closing of each Gathering and the anticipation of the next is celebrated with a formal 'baton changing' ritual, where a symbolic 'icon' is handed over from one organising committee to the next. Each item represents a story or message of some of the key themes and issues, which have shaped the meaning and experience of these women's rural identity.
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.

Physical Description

Made from polypropylene, multi stranded fibres in pink, blue, white and black are plaited and knotted together with another rope, possibly sisal. Tied off the lower lengths have been teased out like a tassel.

Significance

The 18th Women on Farms Gathering was held in Shepparton at the Parklake Convention Centre, May 18 - 20 2007. These key objects, icons and documents reflect both the continued traditions of the gatherings (icons, history boards, promotional material and proceedings) and the unique flavour the 'food bowl' region bought to the gathering tradition (map). The theme for Shepparton was 'Rural Women on the Moove', and featured one of Shepparton's painted cow statues as its logo. The committee received its inspiration for the theme and logo from the Greater Shepparton Council's 2002, Cow parade which is a world wide moving art project. The Proceedings and registration form are important documents of the activities and outcomes of the Gathering. The proceedings contain details of the Organising Committee, sponsor acknowledgements, program, speakers, and feedback from participants. The other items were collected from the Gathering, and represent what was given to all participants. They offer insights into the types of 'souvenirs', range of sponsorship, and the messages that the Shepparton Gathering wished to provide participants.

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