More than just a day out: Hatfield Happening brings rural women together

Come mid-August, women from across a 200-kilometre radius will make their way to tiny Hatfield, some travelling from as far as Ivanhoe in the north and Moulamein in the south.

They're coming for something special – a day that started 25 years ago as Women's Health Days and has evolved into something much more.

"Anything 'happens' at the Hatfield Happening!" says Claire Butler with a laugh, and she's not exaggerating.

Over the years, the women of Balranald ICPA Branch have served up everything from escapism workshops to handwriting analysis, photography sessions to massage therapy.

"One never knows fully what they're in for," she adds with obvious delight.

This year's event on August 15 promises to continue that tradition of surprise and connection.

For $15 for non-members and $10 for ICPA members, attendees get more than four hours of activities, friendship, and that special brand of outback hospitality that makes country communities tick.

The magic of Hatfield Happening lies in its evolution. What began as health-focused gatherings has transformed into something broader and more ambitious.

The most recent iteration featured a 'her horizons' panel of local women sharing stories and tips on being positive voices for their communities.

"It was a wonderful example of how helping others gives us greater self-awareness and confidence to build capacity in our communities," Claire reflects.

For many rural women, particularly mothers juggling the demands of station life and children's education, these few hours represent something precious – time.

The Broken Hill Outback Mobile Resource Unit provides childcare, allowing mums to focus entirely on themselves for once.

It's a luxury that's rare in country life, where women often put everyone else's needs first.

The Balranald ICPA Branch, celebrating over 50 years of advocacy for rural education, knows the value of bringing people together.

Their territory stretches across that impressive 200-kilometre radius, encompassing families from both sides of the NSW-Victoria border. In a region where neighbours might live an hour's drive apart, events like Hatfield Happening create the connections that sustain rural communities.

But this gathering is about more than friendship and workshops. Every dollar raised goes directly back into supporting rural education through the Mary Butler School Book Awards and the Country Education Fund in Balranald.

They also helped bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to preschoolers across the entire shire – an ambitious project that gives hundreds of young children a stronger start to their education.

"We're strategically planning tangible ways to encourage the mining and renewable energy industries to implement programs to upskill local youth," Claire explains.

It's forward-thinking that reflects the branch's half-century of fighting for rural kids' educational opportunities. They're not just planning for today's needs but anticipating tomorrow's.

The logistics of attending couldn't be simpler. A bus runs from Balranald – just contact Tegan at Balranald Hospital to book your seat.

The event includes stalls and shopping opportunities, and organisers welcome donations of food for morning tea or slow cookers for lunch.

If you're bringing a slow cooker, Claire asks that you let her know in advance.

It's details like these that capture the essence of country life – the assumption that people will pitch in, the understanding that a successful community event requires everyone to contribute something, whether it's time, food, or simply their presence.

The pink cowboy boots on the promotional image aren't just decorative – they're a symbol of the confidence and character that rural women bring to everything they do. Sometimes, that's exactly what a community needs: women willing to show up, boots and all, ready for whatever happens next.