Last chance to nominate for Rural Women’s Awards

Women of all ages and walks of life have less than two weeks to apply for the 2012 Rural Women’s Awards.

NSW Department of Primary Industries Project Coordinator Rural Women’s Network, Allison Priest, said the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award closes on 15 October 2011.

“The award is a great opportunity to celebrate the amazing achievements of women across our State who are running everything from sheep and cattle studs, farmers markets, food tourism ventures and exporting native flowers to the world,” Ms Priest said.

“I would encourage women of all ages and walks of life from NSW and the ACT who are involved in primary industries, natural resource management or related industries to apply or encourage someone they know to throw their hat in the ring.

“Since the award began in 2000, more than 170 women have been recognised across Australia and each year I am impressed with the number of highly skilled, highly committed and enterprising women we have throughout NSW.

“The winner of the 2012 RIRDC Rural Women’s Award will receive a bursary of $10,000, and both the winner and runner-up will participate in the RIRDC Australian Institute of Company Directors’ course, which is valued at over $5500 each.

“Finalists from the Award gain many skills including an opportunity to build on their leadership skills through a tailor-made plan, improve their decision-making capacity and their ability to contribute to a more vibrant and sustainable future.”

The award is coordinated by NSW Rural Women’s Network (NSW Department of Primary Industries).

“Finalists from the award will attend a black-tie gala dinner at NSW Parliament in February where the winner will be announced,” Ms Priest said.

“The NSW winner will then compete against other States in Canberra at the Australian RIRDC Rural Women’s Award in October 2012.

“This year’s NSW winner was Karen Hutchinson, an irrigated agriculture advocate from Griffith who is using her $10,000 bursary to investigate theories of change management and learn from other industries that have faced and managed change well.”

Media note: Photos of previous finalists from throughout regional NSW are available