Grace Chapman driving a Ferguson tractor. There are milk cans on the cart behind her, Cobden district, Victoria, c1950. Museums Victoria, https://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/items/772398.

The ARC-funded Invisible Farmer project is the largest ever study of Australian women on the land. This three year project involves a nation-wide partnership between rural communities, academics, government and cultural organisations.

It was wonderful to have the opportunity to join the project team to learn more about this fascinating part of Australia’s history. Drawing on stories already gathered by Museums Victoria, largely contemporary stories, my role was to develop these into blog and social media posts. These posts, told by women in their own voice about their own farming history, attract an extraordinary amount of public interest – well beyond friends and family and beyond even local communities.

While in the role I had the opportunity to attend and present at the 30th anniversary of the Women on Farms Gathering in Warragul and also as a guest speaker at the Platinum Primary Producers conference in Port Douglas.

Working on this project really highlighted for the me the power that there is in individuals sharing their stories.

Role: Invisible Farmer Curator
Employment: Feb to Jul 2019