Applications are now open for the 2018 AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award – Australia’s leading Award in acknowledging and supporting the essential role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities.
The award, formerly the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award, has been renamed and adapted to align with AgriFutures Australia’s new strategic direction on the changing face of Agriculture, where technology is transforming the sector and successful and impactful leaders are skilled, professional, dynamic, entrepreneurial, commercially savvy and connected.
John Harvey, AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, is encouraging anyone who wants to create impact, innovate and make a difference or contribute to enhancing the prosperity of rural and regional Australia to apply, and says the Award is open to all women – irrespective of their location.
“Over the past two decades, the Rural Women’s Award has provided more than 200 women with significant professional development opportunities and importantly the opportunity to achieve positive change for rural and regional Australia. Award winners have delivered diverse and innovative projects relating to rural and regional industries, and the communities and businesses that rely on, and support them,” Mr Harvey says.
“As demonstrated by Tanya Dupagne, the National Winner of the 2017 AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award, and all of the state and territory winners, the Award provides a life-changing opportunity for women to use and develop their skills to make a difference and benefit their industries and communities.”
To align with AgriFutures Australia’s new strategic direction and to ensure the Rural Women’s Award continues to identify, celebrate and empower women, a number of changes have been made to the Award criteria for 2018.
“It is an exciting time ahead and the changes to the Rural Women’s Award is just one of many AgriFutures Australia initiatives ensuring rural and regional industries prosper now and into the future,” says Mr Harvey.
“One of the important changes to the 2018 AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award is that projects or initiatives can be commercially focused, providing they still align with AgriFutures™ strategic priorities of innovation, creativity, community sustainability, education, productivity, agribusiness, regional development and technology.”
“Location is also no barrier – applicants can live in rural and regional Australia, or in the city –their applications will be measured on the impact and benefits to rural and regional Australia.”
