Source: Radio New Zealand
Shepherdess founder Kristy McGregor. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
With a seven, five, and one-year-old at home, and another baby on the way, life can be quite chaotic for Shepherdess founder Kristy McGregor. Living rurally on a beef and dairy farm in Horowhenua adds another layer.
It was that and a desire to connect rural women and provide a sense of community that saw her launch the Shepherdess Muster – a rural women’s retreat – first in the remote settlement of Motu in Tai Rāwhiti two years ago and most recently in Tokanui at the bottom of the South Island.
“The Muster is about just taking time for yourself and doing something for yourself,” she told Country Life.
“What you get when you come here is just a chance to have a go, have good food, have food cooked for you. When did you last get a meal made for you?”
Follow Country Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart or wherever you get your podcasts.
The Tokanui Rugby Club was transformed into a rural women’s retreat for the second Shepherdess Muster, the first in the South Island. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
The weekend included a wide range of workshops centred on everything from women’s health, empowerment, intimacy and relationships, and parenting. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
As McGregor explained, the Muster was a chance for rural women to choose for themselves.
“The Shepherdess Muster is three days of women coming together in a rural or remote spot and a weekend of arts, health and well-being and entrepreneurship, business development. Really just spending time together and connecting and taking a moment for yourself.”
The first event to be held in the South Island, the Muster attracted more than 200 women from around the motu to the Tokanui Rugby Club for a weekend of camping, fun and celebrating International Women’s Day.
While there was a wide range of activities on offer – everything from women’s health check-ups, intimacy workshops, beauty appointments, tattooing, Zumba, yoga and craft sessions – none were compulsory.
Tokanui farmer, mum of 4 and Shepherdess organising committee member Emma-Kate Rabbidge. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
Tokanui locals Emma-Kate Rabbidge and Julie Keast were both excited to showcase their slice of paradise after nearly two years of planning as part of the event’s organising committee.
For Keast, who lived a few kilometres away from the rugby club, it was about women coming together for themselves.
“It’s really important that we hold that place for each other, and support each other and have a good time together,” she told Country Life.
Rabbidge, who lived even closer to the grounds with her husband and four children, found it odd camping in a tent down the hill over her own bed.
“But like I’ve said to a few women, you know, as soon as you walk back in the door to your home, you’re the wife and you’re the mum and you’re all the things again.
“This weekend is really about stepping away from that and taking the time out. So, yeah, I’m staying away.”
She hoped that attendees might walk away with a reignited passion for being creative or picking up a new hobby, something they could incorporate into their life back home which could help them build connection and community.
Tokanui local Sheila Smith of the Small Prophet Design Shed. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
The weekend was a great way to showcase local makers and businesses. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
Sophie Green and Louise Patterson enjoy checking out the craft stall. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
For “Welsh import” Sheila Smith, who also called Tokanui home and helped start the Small Prophet Design Shed, moving to the remote Catlins was an adjustment at first.
“It was a big move from central London. That was a challenge to adjust to the slower pace – one garage, one school, one shop, and one superb design store, Small Profit Design.”
She and two other women who ran the store travelled all through Wanaka, Queenstown, and Otago doing interiors and art and furniture. She said they were passionate about promoting New Zealand-made goods and doing things themselves.
It allowed her to be more than “a farmer’s wife” and provide an outlet for her creative background. Like many rural women she wore many hats – at the Muster over the weekend Smith could also be found leading the Zumba dance sessions and early morning workouts.
She said despite some of the challenges of moving to the “end of the world”, it was one that had taught her a lot and a “good move”.
She was reminded of this the week before, during a recent burst of aurora – she could see the southern lights from her farm, Aurora Downs.
Dr Helen Paterson with the Women’s Health Bus. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
Dancers dress to the theme of sparkles and sequins, enjoying the live band. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
Many of the rural women spoken to by Country Life over the weekend spoke of their gratitude to live, and for some, raise their families, in beautiful parts of the country where there was space to play and potter.
But many also spoke of the time pressures and constant juggle which made it challenging to always appreciate this.
Southland sharemilker Allesha Ballard-Conway came to the Muster alone, hopeful she would make new friends and enjoy “some crafts, good food, good vibes” while trying something new.
Nearing the end of the weekend she said she had met women from all types of places doing different things and this would be her biggest takeaway from the experience.
“We literally just sat down and yarned. It was so lovely just to feel connected to women – just being inspired by all the women.”
Southland sharemilker Allesha Ballard-Conway was proud to have set up her campsite all on her own. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
Louise Patterson and Sophie Green had an easier time than some setting up their inflatable tent. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
A paddock becomes a campground, with tents, trailers and all sorts of temporary accommodation. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life
Learn more:
- Find out more about the Shepherdess Muster, here
- Find out more about RNZ’s new podcast Far From Town here
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
