The theme of the book is celebrating 21 years with the same question posed to all the participants: “What advice would you give your 21-year-old self.” It is a great opportunity for our Alumni to empower and inspire each other, and the next generation of women in agriculture.
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, particularly for those people living in regional and rural communities. The Award provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities.
Since its inception, the Rural Women’s Award has continued to change lives. The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award was first launched in 2000, and winners were selected from every State/Territory for the first five years.
In 2006, the titles of National Winner and Runner Up were introduced to the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award at a national level, to provide further opportunities and increase the national platform for the women involved. In 2017, RIRDC was relocated from Canberra to Wagga Wagga, and re-branded to AgriFutures Australia, and so the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award was launched.
The Award has seen over 300 exceptional women from rural communities and industries share their challenges and solutions to many rural issues.
AgriFutures Australia Board Chair, Kay Hull AM, said the book highlights the inspirational women who have participated in the Award since its inception.
“For years, the aim of the program is to amplify the impactful voice of all our State/Territory Winners by giving them a platform to share their message and help unlock the potential of all rural women. This book is a wonderful record of the impressive Rural Women’s Award Alumni,” said Mrs Hull.
“This book shines a light into the deeply personal stories of many women. These journeys are as diverse as the women telling them. They speak of social change, of triumph and tragedy, of ingenuity, resilience, bravery and determination.”
Adding: “And there’s no better day to launch such a powerful collection of stories than on the International Day of Rural Women where we celebrate the role of rural women globally.”
Westpac, the Platinum Partner of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, also congratulated AgriFutures Australia on the launch of the book.
