Press Release

The 2012 RIRDC Rural Women’s Award nominations are closing soon.  Encourage a woman you know who has a great idea but need some additional resources to make it happen. 

The award is open to all women involved in every aspect of agriculture (including forestry and fisheries), natural resource management and related service industries. There are no age barriers or formal qualification requirements.

West Australia finalists have a strong track record, winning the national award for the past two years. The 2011 winner was Caroline Robinson from Woolocutty near Narembeen and the 2010 winner was Sue Middleton of Wongan Hills.

Last year’s Australian RIRDC Rural Women’s Award winner, Caroline Robinson, has been bowled over by the power of the Award.

“The Award has generated huge exposure for my business, the WA Wheatbelt Business Network, it has given me new leadership skills and experiences, introduced me to a network of remarkable rural women and new opportunities to help rural women get into important conversations about the future of their industries and communities.”

“It is a life-changing award, and opens up a positive and powerful network of like-minded women across the country, who are passionate about primary industries and rural Australia,” 2010 winner Ms Middleton said.

 “I would encourage all rural women to either consider entering or nominating someone they think is ready for this next step up. My advice, if you’re not sure if it’s right for you, is ‘Go for it, the right time is now’.”

These women are future rural leaders and the Award has supported them to take the next step in their leadership journey.

The WA winner will receive a $10,000 bursary and applicants only need to demonstrate how the bursary will assist in fulfilling their individual and personal vision for agriculture and natural resource management and how it will benefit the broader community.

The Western Australian RIRDC Rural Women’s Awards are kindly supported by the Department of Agriculture and Food and CBH Group.

The Rural Women’s Awards are supported by national sponsors:  Westpac Banking Corporation, ABC Radio and Rural Press Ltd.

Applications close on 31 October 2011. For nomination forms and further information visit www.ruralwomensaward.gov.au or call Katrina Hayes on 9368 3182.