Transcript of the TRIPLE RRR Online Presentation

Presented by Liz Guidera.

"Hello and welcome.

I'm Liz Guidera, chairperson of the Rural, Remote and Regional Network, an organisation devoted to the interests of women in regional areas of Western Australia.

The triple R Network was established in 1996, and now has a membership of some three and a half thousand mostly in regional and remote WA. RRR is all about the sharing of information, experiences, and ideas, among women living all over WA. We're very interested in promoting the achievements of women, particularly in agriculture, business and community activities. But that's not all. The triple R Network also maintains this website so that people like yourself can ask the questions, and find the answers, to many issues that affect regional women. Now, you may have thought that accessing and using the Internet is too difficult for you to learn. But, if ever there was a technology that offered people in "the bush" the same opportunities as the city, then the Internet is it. And lets face it, if you want information in today's world on just about anything, the Internet is the easiest place to find it.

When you stop and think about it, navigating the Internet is really no different to learning to drive a car. You wouldn't get much sympathy for being stuck at home, if you had access to a car, but refused to learn how to drive, would you? And while its very true that some of the Internet connections you get in the bush are more like country tracks than super highways, the picture is improving all the time. By means of RRR's website and our quarterly magazine, Network News, we keep women in WA informed about key issues. As a regular feature of the website, we present quarterly online seminars featuring distinguished speakers on a wide range of topics. By means of the online seminars you can gain information on important topics, and have your say, over the Internet. We're inviting you to suggest important topics for discussion, and even participate in the online Chat sessions during the seminars.

One of RRR's aims is to act as a conduit for information from government to women, and vice versa. The WA government is very interested in rural issues and wants your feedback about where you think improvements in policy are necessary. As part of this strategy, on August 31, 2000, the Honorable Hendy Cowan, Member for Merredin, Minister for Commerce & Trade, Small Business and Regional Development, will be participating in a forum discussion group here on RRR's website. This particular forum is called Hendy Online, and like all of the online seminars on RRR, its focused on the unique needs and interests of women in regional WA. Hendy Online is an opportunity for you to ask relevant questions, and have your say to the minister.

The issues you raise, and the viewpoints you express, will influence decisions being made by government about Regional Development. Some of the issues already listed for discussion are:

The sale of Telstra and what it will mean for regional WA

The use of fuel tax on road maintenance.

Soil salinity and the Salinity Action Plan

But there are many other issues that could be discussed, such as:

How remote communities can adapt to change.

How to enrich regional lifestyles and improve family happiness.

Developing sustainable employment opportunities.

Environment, native title, and natural resource issues.

If you would like to participate in the online seminar and chat sessions, read through the instructions provided on the RRR website page that gives details for accessing Hendy Online. And keep an eye out on the website for our other quarterly seminars. At RRR we'd like to know more about what you think and feel regarding the issues you face living in rural Australia.

If you'd like to join the RRR Network, subscribe to our Quarterly magazine, or contribute information to our website, just send an email to this address mapu@commerce.wa.gov.au

You know...people are really Australia's most valuable resource. RRR is building a network of knowledge...and experience...so that our most valuable resource is put to good use. Western Australia is a huge state, but by joining the RRR Network, and using our Internet website, you can still keep in touch with the issues no matter where you live. I'm Liz Guidera.

Thank you for listening."