Develop your skills. Make a difference. Inspire others.

The winner of the 2013 NSW/ACT Award will be announced at a special Gala Celebratory Dinner at Parliament House Sydney on 26 March 2013.

The 2013 Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award (RWA) identifies and rewards women’s contribution to primary industries and rural communities by providing financial assistance, mentoring, resources and support via its nation-wide network of business and community leaders for selected state winners.

The Award is open to all women involved in primary industries. Rural women are encouraged to enter themselves or to nominate someone with a commitment and desire to making a real difference to their industry and community.

State and Territory winners receive a $10,000 financial bursary to implement their Award vision. Each State and Territory winner and runner-up will have the opportunity to participate in the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Course and will be supported to develop an individual integrated leadership plan.

A national winner and runner-up will be selected from the state winners with a further $10,000 bursary awarded to support their professional development and contribution to primary industries.

The Award is a life changing experience that will link you with a positive and powerful alumni network of like-minded women across Australia who are passionate about primary industries and rural Australia.

'The RWA acknowledges the unique leadership traits of women to connect, collaborate and to influence and effect change in their industries and communities, and creates opportunities for women to drive innovation and build resilience within primary industries and their rural communities.' Craig Burns, RIRDC Managing Director

Who can enter?

The Award is open to all women involved in primary industries and natural resource management. No formal qualifications are required.

What is the bursary?

The Award provides a $10,000 bursary for each State and Territory winner to provide the resources to develop your vision into a project or initiative that will benefit primary industries and rural Australia.

Examples of some of the initiatives the Bursary can be used for include:

• formal training in leadership and business management;
• overseas study tours;
• establishing business plans or pilot programs;
• developing education or promotional campaigns;
• networking at forums and conferences to grow your knowledge of industries and markets;
• developing training programs;
• testing information technology initiatives; and
• publishing books.

It's just a matter of using your imagination to dream big about what you want to do and the future direction of your industry or rural community.

Leadership and development opportunities

The winner and runner-up in each State and Territory has the opportunity to complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and will be supported to develop and implement a 12 month leadership plan.

The Company Directors Course is a comprehensive and credible learning program relevant to board directors and business entrepreneurs. The course provides a thorough knowledge of the role and duties of being a board member, and knowledge of organisational performance, strategy development, risk management and financial performance, which are all critical to operating any business enterprise.

The Leadership Plan will provide 12 months of facilitated individual strategic support to enhance your leadership development and help with the implementation of your Award vision, along with networking, media and public relations opportunities.

Enter the Award

Applications for the 2013 Award are closed.

Applications for 2014 will open 1 August and close 31 October 2013. Rural women are encouraged to give it a go or nominate someone they think is up to a new and exciting challenge.

For an information package and a list of past winners and finalists who have kindly offered to mentor women applying for the Award, contact Allison Priest or Emma Regan on 02 6391 3620 or email: allison.priest@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Information is also available from RIRDC (including an online application form):

Selection criteria and how to enter (RIRDC website)

Informal mentoring for applicants

Rural women interested in applying for the Award are strongly encouraged to contact previous NSW/ACT winners and finalists who have kindly agreed to support women applying for the Award. Our mentors are happy to speak with you to discuss your ideas and guide you through the Award process. For a list of mentors contact RWN.

Past 2012 NSW/ACT RWA Recipients

• Danica Leys, Picton (2012 NSW/ACT Winner)
• Corinne Annetts, Uralla (2012 NSW/ACT Runner-up).
• 2012 state finalists (YouTube)