2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award applications now open

• Applications are open now for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award until 25 October 2023.
• The Rural Women’s Award supports Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities.
• The AgriFutures Australia Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant is open to provide professional development support to rural women to bring their idea, cause or vision to life.

Applications are now open for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

This week pet treats entrepreneur Emma-Louise Gibbons – this year’s Queensland Rural Woman Award winner – represented Queensland at the national Rural Women’s Award gala event in Canberra.

Victorian tech entrepreneur and innovator Nikki Davey was announced as this year’s national winner.

The award is designed to empower and celebrate inclusive and courageous leadership by women involved in Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses and communities.

It provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities.

Westpac has been a platinum sponsor of the Rural Women’s Awards for over 15 years. The Queensland winner of the Rural Women’s Award will receive a $15,000 grant to further their work and represent Queensland at the national awards where they have the chance to win an additional $20,000 grant.

Queensland’s new state sponsor, the Queensland Country Women’s Association, will provide a $2,000 grant to Queensland’s finalists. Finalists also gain access to professional development opportunities and alumni networks.

In addition to the Rural Women’s Awards, AgriFutures Australia offer the Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant as a leadership and development opportunity for rural women who feel they are not quite ready to apply for the award. The Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant provides a bursary of up to $7,000 for professional development, driving innovation in rural industries, businesses and communities.

Applications for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award will close on Wednesday, 25 October 2023.

See the AgriFutures website for more details.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner:

“These awards are a fitting tribute to the many women providing leadership and inspiration across our rural communities,” Mr Furner said.

“Our Queensland finalist, Emma-Louise Gibbons, is a fine example of what is being achieved by so many women in the agriculture sector right across our state.”

“I encourage Queensland women in agriculture and other rural industries to have a look at the inspiring stories of our previous winners and consider putting their hands up for next year’s awards.”

Quotes attributable to AgriFutures Australia Managing Director John Harvey:

“The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities, and can open doors to professional development and Alumni networks.”

Quotes attributable to Platinum sponsor Westpac’s National General Manager of Agribusiness Peta Ward:

“On behalf of Westpac Agribusiness, congratulations to Nikki Davey and runner-up Michelle Leonard for not only being awarded the national titles, but for demonstrating the new opportunities women in rural areas are creating, which are helping to drive changes in our regions.”

ENDS

Media contact – Martin Philip 0407 675 008