A unique collaborative, sociological study undertaken during 1995-7, explored the social construction of drought as a disaster, looking at farm families in two Australian states: Queensland (beef producers) and New South Wales (sheep/wheat producers). A decision was made to interview the women and men separately to test our hypothesis that there would be gender issues in any analysis of a disaster, but particularly one which has had so much long-term impact on individuals, families and communities, such as drought. Interviews were conducted with over 100 individuals male and female. We conclude that drought as a disaster is a gendered experience. The paper draws on the narratives of some women involved in the study to identify 'themes of difference' which confirm the necessity to maintain gender as a variable in all studies of the social impacts of disaster.
Small regional communities are having widely different experiences of globalisation but many share dependent relations with corporations and governments. Those which are under threat are often finding themselves dependent on their own resources, including the leadership of local people. This article compares the interpretations of change and the experiences of local leaders in two geographically and historically diverse situations. It finds that despite such diversity, there are similarities of experience. It concludes with some consideration given to state policy regarding community leadership, tempering a view that leadership can provide solutions to regional decline.
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