Seven women have been named finalists in the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award program, in recognition of their contribution to emerging industries, businesses and communities in rural Australia.
Each of the seven women, representing each state and territory, will receive a $15,000 Westpac grant to expand their work. The winner of the national award will receive an additional $20,000, while the runner up will get an additional $15,000.
The winner will be announced on 6th September, at a Gala Dinner in Parliament House in Canberra.
The seven finalists are:
Kylie Jones, Alice Springs
Northern Territory
Kylie is working to improve the educational support for families living in remote and isolated areas. Kylie gave up her stable job as a teacher to found RAISE Education, a not-for-profit organisation which provides individualised learning support by fostering connection and belonging for geographically isolated children, home tutors and parents.
Stephanie Trethewey, Dunorlan
Tasmania
Stephanie created Australia’s first personalised online rural mothers’ group. Motherland Village provides greater opportunities for rural mums across the country to find connection and support, regardless of their location.
Kimberley Furness, Strathfieldsaye
Victoria
Kimberley is connecting regional and rural women through her magazine, OAK Magazine. The proudly independent print publication is dedicated to female entrepreneurs and women in business across regional and rural Australia.
Louise O’Neill, Denmark
Western Australia
Louise is committed to improving the mental and physical wellbeing of rural communities Her business, Farm Life Fitness, aims to overcome the constraints of long distances in rural areas to deliver one-on-one coaching and live online group fitness workouts.
Josie Clarke, Bellimbopinni
New South Wales/ACT
Josie is passionate about inclusivity in the agriculture industry, particularly giving a voice to those with a disability. She developed Ability Agriculture to raise awareness and provide opportunities for those with disabilities through the provision of an online platform and community on Facebook and Instagram that shares the stories of those with a disability in Agriculture.
Robyn Verrall, McCallum
South Australia
Robyn’s goal is to reduce food insecurity and increase food affordability in rural, regional and First Nations communities in Australia. She is a director, founder and business advisor of Kere to Country, an Aboriginal owned-and-operated food supply company bringing high quality and affordable meat into First Nations communities in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Rebecca Bradshaw, Jackson
Queensland
Rebecca established the first private, child health nurse-led service to be delivered online in Queensland. Through the Award, she hopes to expand the reach of her service to more rural communities.
Feature Image: Rebecca Bradshaw, QLD finalist. Source: Supplied.