Lawson Grain Employee Brooke shares her journey as a single mother working in the Agricultural Industry.
Brooke had a unique upbringing. Her Dad worked as a full-time drover, and family were on the road full time. They were living in various rural towns, close to where her father was droving. Brooke related that moving around as a child was great and she “didn’t know any differently”. From the age of 5 Brooke could be found riding her pony behind the mob of sheep. By her teens, the family had settled, and Brooke was studying Ag at School. Additionally, she would spend her spare time droving with her Dad.
After School Brooke moved to Queensland where she worked on various properties, driving tractors, working with stock and a variety of other farm hand tasks.
Later, moving back to the Riverina, Brooke had a daughter and began working causally for Lawson Grains during their busy periods. Lawson Grain provided her with every opportunity to grow as an employee and become a permanent team member. She mentioned they were a supportive employer not making any issue of her status as a single mother in a rural area.
However, despite this positive experience, Brooke acknowledges, working in the Agricultural industry can be tough. “You may come across employers and fellow employees that can leave you disheartened and incapable of the job.” Her advice is to promptly move on from that job, and not to discount the industry. She suggests to keep upskilling where you can and find a team where you fit.
Brooke loves the lifestyle of living in a rural area as it is incomparable. “I wouldn’t live or raise my daughter anywhere else, the small-town community spirit – the way they celebrate your wins and help where they can when you face a challenging time”
Brooke appreciates she is lucky to have close family and a great employer’s support when it comes to working in this industry, especially as a single parent. She said she could see how Lack of community services in rural areas could make that a lot more difficult for others.
Being a mum can be tough, especially working in the agricultural industry operating machinery, Brooke said her immediate family help her a great deal. Brooke’s mum has been totally supportive looking after her granddaughter in her earlier years during busy times.
“I think women in agriculture have come a long way over the last decade. We are no longer just the cooks or the extras at busy times. Many more opportunities are becoming available”. Brooke would like to see clearer pathways to rural and agricultural education, work experience and job opportunities for young people trying to make their way into agriculture.
“Now I am a permanent and my daughter is at school – mum is my before and after school care because our town has only recently got a day care facility and spaces are extremely limited. It is a team effort. Technology means she can send me a message, or a funny pic and I can send her one back when I can.” Comments Brooke.
“When I am not at work, we go fishing, we walk the dog and her pony down back country lanes. “
Brooke’s best piece of advice for women with children in Agriculture? She responds that one should know where/what/who your support network is and what community services are available to you. She also suggests you be honest about your situation, your commitments and level of flexibility. “I worked casually when my daughter was younger as it suited me at the time, and I wanted to be home more. Yet working also kept me in the loop of both work and social networks.”
As Brooke’s daughter approached school age and the opportunity presented for her to go fulltime, she revisited her support network to craft a plan seeing if it could work. Brooke says she sees her future in the Broadacre industry doing what she is doing!
“At Lawson Grain we are constantly striving to do things better. There is always something to learn. New machinery and technology. New crops and varieties. The highs and lows of each season and each year. I am and feel very welcomed to be a part of every step of that.”