Founder of Sensory Native Garden Announced as 2023 SA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Winner

Ali Paulett has been awarded the 2023 SA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for her creation of Bush DeVine Indigenous Australian Native sensory bush food garden. The garden is located in ‘Paulett Wines’, her family’s 40-year old winery and restaurant based in the Clare Valley.

The Hon. Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries, Regional Development, Forestry, offered her congratulations to Ms Paulett.
“I commend Ali’s achievements in not only creating a unique garden, but also a space that the local community and First Nations groups can use,” said Minister Scriven.

“I also wish to acknowledge our other finalists Bridget Johns, Emily Riggs, Kerri Cliff and Lyndsey Jackson and thank them for their ongoing contributions to their local communities and to primary industries in South Australia. I’m sure you will continue to make positive impacts in your chosen fields.”

Ms Paulett was selected as South Australia’s Award recipient for 2023 for her collaboration with First Nations people and videographers to produce interactive collateral that can take the garden into the classroom, dining room, or event anywhere in the world.

Her passion for education was the motivation behind Bush DeVine, planted with the intention of not only creating a unique garden and sensory walking path, but to also supply the family restaurant.

“It’s an honour to receive the 2023 SA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. The growth that the Award offers both professionally and personally will enable Bush DeVine to continue benefiting indigenous and local communities within our region and South Australia”, said Ms Paulett.

Managing Director of AgriFutures Australia, Mr John Harvey, commended Ms Paulett for her positive influence and efforts within her local community.

“The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award provides our state and territory winners a platform to build on their leadership skills to drive change in rural and regional Australia” he said.

As part of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, Ms Paulett receives a $15,000 grant from Westpac to further progress Bush DeVine, as well as the opportunity to undertake a professional development course of her choosing. Ms Paulett will go on to represent South Australia at the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement in Canberra on Tuesday, 12 September, where the National Winner will be awarded an additional $20,000 Westpac grant and the National Runner Up, an additional $15,000.

Westpac’s Regional General Manager for South Australia, Brad Higgins, is “proud [for Westpac] to continue to support the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, to further raise awareness and publicly recognise the achievements and leadership of women.”

“The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is a testament to the positive influence women are making in business and in agriculture,” he said.

“Westpac is thrilled to see the calibre of entries and finalists remains strong. We fully support these talented women as they continue to develop their projects and focus on the ongoing positive work within the important industries that are at the heart of our communities.”

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s leading award empowering and celebrating the inclusive and courageous leadership of women involved in Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses, and communities, now and into the future. All finalists join a 300-strong alumni that provides a network to support their future endeavours.

For more information about the Awards, head to agrifutures.com.au/rwa.

ENDS

Photo:

L to R: 2022 SA Rural Women’s Award Winner Robyn Verrall, 2023 SA Rural Women’s Award Winner Ali Paulett, The Hon. Clare Scriven MLC, (Minister for Primary Industries, Regional Development, Forestry) and Les Ryan (Regional General Manager, Agribusiness, BankSA).

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