Eleanor Cook from Coolah - the 2007 RIRDC Rural Women's Award Winner
NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald announced Coolah community fundraiser, Eleanor Cook, as the 2007 RIRDC NSW Rural Women's Award Winner at a special Gala Dinner held at Parliament House Sydney on Tuesday evening 6 February.
Eleanor, who is also the editor of the local newspaper and helps run the family farm, won the award for her efforts to establish a community-managed trust model where individuals, families and businesses can bequeath funds tax-free to their community.
'The fund would help alleviate the constant fundraising pressures often placed on rural communities and help attract investment to small country towns to help them stay viable', Mr Macdonald said.
'She hopes to extend the trust fund concept to rural communities throughout the State, and also capitalise on growing awareness of rural communities through interest in both food production and the current drought situation.
'Ten years ago Eleanor helped establish Coolah's District Development Fund which has secured $1.5 million in funding for a range of tourism, sport and cultural services for the town of Coolah.
'She has shown amazing commitment and energy to ensuring the survival of Coolah through challenges of drought and dwindling local services, and is extremely passionate about the sustainability of rural communities.'
Mr Macdonald also congratulated runner-up Fiona Kliendeinst from Uralla, whose efforts in the wool industry were recognised during the awards ceremony.
Fiona and her husband run and ultra-fine wool business from their Uralla property. Fiona established the 'Luv2wearwool' label that is run by local wool-producing women, featuring made-to-measure woollen garments, wool fabrics and work clothes.
Fiona is involved in many local and national industry initiatives and is passionate about promoting Australian wool as a quality clothing product.
This year's winner will receive a $10,000 bursary for activities that build management, business or leadership skills, and help to strengthen rural industries and communities.
Read more about this years finalists.