WOMEN IN THE SUGAR INDUSTRY

Caprioglio Girls carting cane

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It is impossible to estimate the importance of the role that women have played in the history of the sugar industry. They not only raised and cared for large families but were often responsible for feeding the gangs of canecutters who came to the district during the harvesting season. Their duties soon extended into the fields working alongside their partners, forging out a life for their families.

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Women played a vital role in supporting field work, especially during the harvest. Many Italian migrants who came to Queensland as early settlers began as canecutters and their labour depended heavily on the assistance of their wives, as well as the wives of the farmers who employed them. These women prepared the large, hearty meals needed to sustain the demanding work of cutting and loading cane.

Stories of Italian women cooking for gangs of canecutters demonstrate the sheer scale of the task. On some farms, cane was loaded as early as 3 am, so these women were often up by 2.30 am to light the fire and prepare breakfast. In addition to cooking, they carted smoko out to the fields. Their day frequently did not end until 9 pm.

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Prior to World War Two, only Italian women worked regularly in the field reflecting cultural differences. With the critical shortage of labour during the war, however, all women rallied to the occasion often working farms singlehandedly while continuing to care for their large families. By 1942, many farmers’ wives had learned to drive tractors.  

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In the early years, women made a major contribution to farming by preparing and planting sugar cane. Stripping cane was hot, hard, and time-consuming, but it provided valuable seasonal work. Often with children in tow, women worked in the paddocks with gloves to strip the cane and ready it for planting. Many then went on to operate tractors, taking on another demanding role in the process.

Today, women continue to work in the fields, helping with planting, fertilising, harvesting and haulout operations. In joint farming operations, their administrative and accounting skills are essential to running the business. Many have also farmed successfully in their own right.  

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The asset value of women to the industry also extends beyond the farm. On the milling side, they have made a significant impact. Initially, their involvement was mainly restricted to the offices and in laboratories as assistants, check chemists and cane testers. Despite resistance from some to their employment in this section, they were regarded as more accurate as weighbridge clerks. By 1997, women were employed in all areas of the Proserpine Sugar Mill.  

Sugar boiler, Michelle Wilkins, made history as the first female sugar boiler. She and Lola Pogson formed the first female pan stage team in the Australian Sugar Industry. Katrina Bowman, employed as an ash handler on the boilers, was the first woman at Proserpine Sugar Mill to gain a steam turbine ticket. The first female loco fireperson was Vicki Bernett who was appointed in 1989. These are just a few examples.  

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While women were most visible in farming, harvesting and milling sectors, some also advanced into leadership and management. From 2007 to 2013, Del Linneweber served as a director of the Proserpine CANEGROWERS and in 2022, Bessie Orr was elected as a director of the organisation and currently still holds this position.    

Women can be justly proud of their continuing contribution to the sugar industry. Their roles have been wide-ranging, vital, but far too often understated.

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Information and photo sourced from PHMS archives; “A Crystal Century”; “Centenary Celebrations: A Scrapbook” (Proserpine Sugar Industry 1897 – 1997) and “A Heart in Two Places”.

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