Grace Larson wins Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award

Ms Larson accepted the Award last night at a ceremony presented by Ms Michaela Settle Parliamentary Secretary, Agriculture.

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, supported by platinum sponsor Westpac, is Australia’s leading Award in acknowledging and supporting the critical role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities. It is an opportunity to celebrate the forward-thinking, courageous leaders who come from industries that represent some of the most vast and remote areas of Victoria.

Ms Larson received a $15,000 grant from Westpac to further support her project as well as the opportunity to undertake a professional development course of her choosing. Ms Larson will go on to represent Victoria at the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement in Canberra later in the year, where the National Winner will be awarded an additional $20,000 Westpac grant and the National Runner Up, an additional $15,000.

Ms Larson, a dedicated children’s nurse with more than 17 years’ experience, is empowering local parents and caregivers across rural Australia to identify preventable illness and decrease the need for rural children to seek specialised services in urban areas.

“I’ve teamed up with my sister to deliver The Sisterhood Project, a nonprofit initiative that addresses the unfair disadvantages faced by rural children, which aims to break down barriers hindering parents and caregivers from accessing vital training when it comes to illness recognition, accident prevention and basic first aid,” Ms Larson said.

“I’m so thrilled to receive this award, so that I can continue to deliver on my vision that everyone should have access to the best healthcare no matter where they live.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Michaela Settle said: “When we empower visionary rural women our whole rural community benefits. We are so proud of our Victorian winner and we wish Grace the best of luck in taking out the national prize later this year in Canberra.”

AgriFutures Australia Managing Director John Harvey said women like Grace are not only having a real impact on their communities today, but are laying the foundations to inspire other young, determined and forward-thinking female leaders working in rural, regional and remote communities.

“The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award provides these women with a critical platform to bring to life game-changing, inspiring and impactful change across rural and regional Australia,” Mr Harvey said.

“This Award acknowledges the future-shaping work these women are carrying out in their communities, and importantly, provides them with the support and leadership skills to keep building towards a stronger regional Australia.”

Gayle Isles, Senior Relationship Manager, Regional & Agribusiness for Platinum Sponsor Westpac, said the Awards reflect the heart of rural industries in Victoria and across the nation.

“Creating and advancing opportunities for rural Australia and our local communities is at the core of what makes our regions the backbone of our economy and our rural industries a success. On behalf of Westpac Agribusiness, I commend all the inspiring women who took the initiative to apply for the Rural Women’s Award and congratulate Grace for being awarded the Victorian State Finalist,” said Gayle.

Congratulations to all the Victorian State finalists, including Georgia Morrison, Sarah Holmes, and Reeanjou Ram.

Find out more about the award

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