IB Woman
Issue No. 38 - December/January 07/08
Murraylands\' unconventional advocate
by Penelope Herbert
Educational Philosopher, George Kneller, said that to think creatively we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted.
As an educator and demographic historian, Ann Herraman didn’t plan to also be a social activist. Yet her business and education careers combined with her PhD studies into 19th Century regional development have led her to the Murraylands.
As a rural outsider, Ann’s role as an educator and post-graduate researcher has fuelled a fresh look at regional development by the community itself.
It all started when Ann and her husband, Richard Herraman bought a run-down farm to renovate in Kanmantoo. In 2004, Ann noticed a job vacancy with the Murray Mallee Strategic Taskforce and was surprised when her application was accepted.
“My role was to address issues such as risk management, succession planning and website development to better prepare the region for an inevitable drought-driven economic downturn,” says Ann.
“Work had already been started and the community was well organised with network groups for health, education and the environment. But there was still planning, training and seminars to organise.
“I enjoy stimulating innovation and encouraging people to think beyond the conventional. You can always imagine things in your mind, but testing them in reality is the real challenge.”
Without pretending to know anything in-depth about farming, agriculture or rural business, Ann applied her alternative education and research skills to approaching the issues in a collaborative but structured fashion.
“I wanted to raise awareness of the possibilities of the region and look beyond the traditional farming models,” she says.
“In terms of creating business opportunities and therefore income, the community had to be consulted, engaged and then deeply involved because they were making decisions for their own futures. I was just the catalyst for change....
