Lumen Spring 2021 - Flipbook - Page 41
that participants can draw on as needed.
“My plan for 2021 is to create an online platform
so that participants can attend the brief workshop,
then learn additional tools online. I also hope to
grow the project more strategically and begin
working with other organisations who work with
farmers to equip them to share the skills and
knowledge in their own networks.”
Stephanie also has to remind herself to put her
knowledge into practice at times. After the birth
of her third son last year, she found herself
juggling too much and ended up with post-natal
depression when he was a few months old.
“I’m focussing on a preventative
approach, building skills from
the bottom up, rather than just
trying to meet the need at the
pointy end. It’s important to
find ways to strengthen both
community resilience and to
help people to look after their
individual wellbeing.”
“I had to remember that you need to look after
yourself first before you can put energy into other
things and accept that it’s ok to ask for help if you
need to. Women are told they can do anything –
which is true. But that doesn’t mean they have to
do everything.”
By recognising where her strengths lie, sharing
the load, and building a strong team around her,
Stephanie is finding the right balance and taking
her program to new levels of success.
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Stephanie and her
children, Angus, Ted
and Darcy (being held),
on the family farm
southeast of Burra,
South Australia.
LEFT
Stephanie Schmidt.
ALUMNI MAGAZINE - SPRING 2021
39
