2020 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement postponed

AgriFutures Australia have made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement that was due to be held in The Great Hall at Parliament House, Canberra on Tuesday, 15 September 2020. This decision was made in line with the ongoing social distancing protocols put in place by the Australian Government.

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s leading award acknowledging and supporting the essential role women play in rural industries, businesses and communities.

The Award provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities. The Award is in its 21st year and has seen over 300 exceptional women from rural communities and industries share their challenges and solutions to many rural issues.

Congratulations to all of the 2020 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award State/Territory Winners who have now been announced:

• NSW/ACT – Cressida Cains, Knights Hill
• QLD – Elisha Parker, Clermont
• VIC – Kelly Barnes, Dunkeld
• SA – Stephanie Schmidt, World’s End
• WA – Cara Peek, Broome
• NT – Amy Kirke, Darwin
• TAS – Karen Brock, Winkleigh.

AgriFutures Australia’s Managing Director, John Harvey said these 2020 National Finalists were front of mind in making this important decision.

“Providing the finalists with the recognition and the acknowledgement they deserve and the platform that the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement offers has been our main focus throughout this decision making process and we will do everything we can to ensure that the negative impact of COVID 19 on their experience is minimised,” said Mr Harvey.

The 2020 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award State/Territory Winners, will remain as their State/Territory Winner until September 2021 when the National Winner and Runner Up of this cohort will be announced at a gala event at Parliament House. This means that the

AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award will not open applications in September 2020 for the 2021 program. Applications will open again, directly following the gala event in September 2021 for the 2022 program.

AgriFutures Australia will work with all of the women in the 2020 cohort to roll out an engagement, media and capacity building program course of the next 12-18 months so their projects can continue to flourish over coming months.

As 2020 marks 21 years of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, AgriFutures Australia are also developing a book to celebrate the Award’s 21st birthday and to showcase the inspiring women who have participated in the Award since its inception. The book will feature State/Territory Winners from 2000-2020 and will be available digitally in September 2020.

For more information on the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award visit: www.agrifutures.com.au/rwa