Women of the LMRIA: Our women. Our stories. Our future.
The LMRIA comprises 107km of levee protecting reclaimed floodplain from Mannum to Wellington. Rich in history and with over 100 primary producers contributing livestock and dairy production. During the 2022-2023 River Murray flood event, the entire region was impacted and 20 of the 27 irrigation areas were inundated by flood waters due to levee overtopping or breaches.
It is widely recognised that women take on significant emotional and psychological burdens during disasters and are more likely to prioritise the care of others at the expense of their own physical, financial, social and mental health. The lives of women in the LMRIA region have been heavily affected, with many still coping with the reality of flooded farms and the ongoing disruptions this has on daily life.
The Women of the LMRIA project was born out of response to the vital need for social and wellbeing remediation to assist with managing the trauma of flooding in our region. It was the first important step to unifying our community during times of great challenge and grief.
Acknowledging that women and men have different ways of dealing with high levels of stress and trauma in agricultural and farming environments, our group works hard to create a safe and welcoming gathering place for our region’s women. This project actively contributes to the disaster response and recovery space in unique ways that are not offered through any other agency or support network.
Women of the LMRIA is a community-driven project achieving 100% community impact, for the benefit of our women, their families and the wider community that engages and connects with them.
Alexandra Westlake | Founder, Women of the LMRIA
Resilience on the Murray: Capturing the Spirit of the LMRIA Women
The LMRIA encompasses a diverse range of farming activities, including a mix of cropping, dairy farming, hay production, livestock and more. The 2022 Murray River floods brought unimaginable challenges to this community. Farmers faced tough decisions: sell off their livestock, relocate them to higher ground, or arrange for agistment elsewhere.
As the rising waters destroyed their crops, they did their best to hold back the flood with sandbags along the riverbank. The trials they endured and their ongoing recovery process is often underestimated. Amidst these hardships, women of the LMRIA banded together to share experiences, offer advice and provide much-needed support to one another.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with this remarkable group and capture their stories. Working alongside these women has been an amazing experience and profoundly inspiring. Their strength and determination have shown me the true meaning of community and resilience.
Through my lens, I have witnessed their unwavering spirit and the tight-knit bonds that hold this community together. It has been a privilege to document their journeys of perseverance and hope, and I am honoured to be a part of telling their story.
Ellie Maranakis | Ellie Jade Photography
