Finalists in the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s awards: Mandy Walker (WA), Kate Lamason (Queensland), Nikki Atkinson (SA), runner-up Grace Larson (Victoria), Belle Binder (Tasmania), winner Tanya Egerton (NT) and Rebecca Keeley (ACT). Photo: Rachael Lenehan.
Women who want to make a difference to life in rural, regional and remote Australia are invited to apply for the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
Award organisers put out the final call this week for women who want to help improve the lives of those on the land, before applications close on 9 October.
The AgriFutures award identifies, celebrates and empowers women to become leaders in our rural and emerging industries, businesses and communities, now and into the future.
AgriFutures managing director John Harvey said for almost a quarter of a century, the award had created life-changing opportunities for women to enhance their skills and make a meaningful impact on their industries and communities.
“The 2024 cohort represents women from all corners of the country,” he said. “Whether they live in rural areas, regional towns, or in the city, location is no barrier – applications are judged on their potential to positively impact rural and regional Australia.
“We are proud of our legacy of empowering female leaders to shape a stronger future for rural and regional Australia, and we are excited to see the next group of women carry this tradition forward.”
Women with an established project, business or program that is having a positive impact on rural industries, businesses, and communities are invited to enter the award.
Each state and territory winner receives a $15,000 grant provided by Westpac to further develop their project, business or program, access to professional development opportunities and national alumni networks. The national winner and runner-up, selected from the state and territory winners, and announced at a gala dinner, will receive a further $20,000 and $15,000 respectively.
The 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award national winner was Tanya Egerton, for her sustainable, ethical and culturally-focused Indigenous initiative, the Remote OpShop Project.
The NSW/ACT winner was health professional Rebecca Keeley from Canberra who created Yarn, a digital health platform designed to address geographical barriers, service delivery challenges and speech pathology waiting lists nationwide.
“Yarn aims to empower clinicians and patients through evidence-based, gamified programs, providing parents with tools to support their child’s communication while awaiting services,” she said.
“I see Yarn as a catalyst for revitalising equitable health-care systems across rural and remote Australia.”
Applications for the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award close on 9 October. More information is available on the website.
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