Jackie
“As a rural woman, we are resilient! We build connection with our community through the power of empowering others. We have the ability to achieve anything we put our minds to. We find a way.”
She is a driven entrepreneur who is passionate about animals, sticking to her roots and empowering other women. Jackie has used her own experiences to establish a rural women’s network, which centres around highlighting, sharing and celebrating the stories of rural women everywhere. She sees everything as a learning opportunity, even the challenges and adversities, and lives everyday with gratitude. Meet Jackie. This is her story.
Jackie at home, on the farm, with her dog (her happy place)
Photos by @littlewildlovephotography
P: Please introduce yourself!
J: My name is Jackie Elliott and I live with my partner of almost 10 years, Dan. We live in a little community called Byaduk in South West Victoria, in a cottage that overlooks the local cricket ground. Byaduk is between the coast (Port Fairy) and the beautiful Grampians National Park. Dan is a beef and sheep farmer and I work full time for Farm Tender, an online selling platform for farm machinery and equipment. I am also the founder of nonprofit enterprise Rural Women's Day, a community for rural women to connect, collaborate and celebrate. Rural Women's Day encourages annual events/projects on October 15 for International Day of Rural Women.
P: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
J: Compassionate. Creative. Animal lover. Quality over quantity. All Australian Flora and Fauna are my favourite.
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
J: Learning to be more resilient and accepting to change. Finding a purpose that keeps me motivated.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience thats defined you or made you stronger?
J: I had an extraordinary childhood, raised on the land, I was given so many opportunities to learn in different environments, I was challenged and well equipped with decision making skills by my parents who taught me how to value the important things in life. There are so many defining moments and experiences that have made me a stronger woman, like navigating my way through depression and anxiety and undergoing an operation to prevent cervical cancer after receiving a positive pap test. Getting past these challenging times and experiences has only been possible with the support I have had from my family.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
J: "Just start". If you are passionate about something and you are waiting for the right time, a sign or to win lotto.... just start. Start by writing down your goals, ideas and find the quality people in your community to tell them about the things you are passionate about.
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
J: As a rural woman, we are resilient! We build connection with our community through the power of empowering others. We have the ability to achieve anything we put our minds to. We find a way.
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
My Mum. She has been strong for me when I couldn't be. She has held my hand when I needed her and given me space when I needed to work it out for myself. I don't say it often enough, I would tell her that I love her and appreciate everything she has taught me to be a strong woman like her.