Image: Stephen Hannan (Westpac), Kimberley Furness (National Runner Up), Senator the Hon. Murray Watt, Stephanie Trethewey (National Winner), Kay Hull AO (Chair, AgriFutures Australia), Tania Motton (Westpac).
Dunorlan-based farmer, podcaster and founder of Motherland Australia, Stephanie Trethewey has officially been named as the 2022 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Winner for her work in providing services, resources and virtual communities for mothers in regional locations.
Bendigo resident and founder of OAK Magazine, Kimberley Furness was awarded the National Runner Up title, for her work in creating opportunities to profile and celebrate female-led businesses.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator The Hon Murray Watt, made the announcement during a black tie gala dinner at Canberra’s Parliament House on Tuesday evening in front of over 520 government officials, industry representatives, members of the award’s alumni, other state finalists and their families.
The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, is Australia’s leading Award in acknowledging and supporting the critical role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities. With the ongoing support of Platinum Sponsors, Westpac Agribusiness, the program provides opportunities to showcase and inspire the next generation of female leaders across Australia.
Adding to the $15,000 Westpac grant already awarded to seven state and territory winners, Stephanie and Kimberley will receive an additional $20,000 and $15,000 respectively to further the development of their winning projects.
“I am incredibly grateful to both AgriFutures and Westpac for their ongoing support for Motherland’s vision to deliver more inclusive services for rural mother’s regardless of their postcode”, said Mrs Trethewey.
Fuelled by her own experience of raising young children on the land, Stephanie created Motherland, a podcast series sharing a raw and unfiltered representation of motherhood in rural communities. After successfully amassing 330,000 downloads and profiling over 130 rural mothers, Stephanie extended Motherland’s offerings through the launch of Motherland Village – Australia’s first online mothers group and resource centre. The digital platform now offers nine separate programs for over 80 rural mothers with children aged from newborns through to their late teens.
“Due to their location or a lack of local services, many rural women don’t have access to adequate postnatal support, including the opportunity to form meaningful connections with other women. Mothers are the backbone of these communities, yet they remain significantly undervalued and under supported.