The AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s leading award in acknowledging and supporting the essential role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities.
Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Barnaby Joyce, made the announcement in front of over 470 media, alumni, government officials, friends and family of the finalists, significant industry and private sector representatives at a black tie gala dinner at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday, 13 September 2017.
As the 2017 AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award National Winner, Tanya will receive a $10,000 bursary from Westpac (adding to the $10,000 bursary she received as the WA state winner) to further progress her winning project – a Camp program to support women from regional WA to develop their leadership skills and capacity – plus also assist with speaking engagements as the National Winner.
“I am thankful to AgriFutures Australia and the AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award for this fantastic opportunity. It just shows that even in an isolated location like Kulin, you can make a difference,” Tanya says.
“The Award bursary will allow me to really ramp up the women’s camp pilot program. This program will target women living and working in rural and regional areas, providing personal development and leadership skills training to increase their self-esteem and equip them to take on leadership roles and initiate change in their own communities,” Tanya says.
Tanya ran camp and youth activity programs for at risk children all over the world before she established Camp Kulin four years ago.
“I had to resort to Google maps to find the location of Kulin when a resident first called and invited me to visit in 2013,” Tanya says.
“When I saw the incredible accommodation, pools, water slide and grounds of Camp Kulin sitting empty in WA’s wheatbelt, 280km south-east of Perth, I promptly told friends, family and colleagues I was moving.”
Now, under Tanya’s guidance, hundreds of volunteers contribute to improving the lives of WA children by teaching them life skills, leadership and self-confidence. Camp Kulin also provides scholarships for those affected by childhood trauma or facing emotional challenges.
“There are huge opportunities in rural and regional Australia, and not just in traditional agricultural industries.”
“I’m really excited to help spread the word about the AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award, which provides women like me with so many opportunities,” Tanya says.
John Harvey, AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, congratulated Tanya and says her impact on the volunteers and participants at Camp Kulin, as well as the Kulin community, is an example of leadership at its best.
“Tanya is a true example of everything the AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award stands for. She has the drive and the capacity to create real change and has also innovated to create a completely new industry for the wheatbelt, which in turn will support other rural and regional businesses in the supply chain,” Mr Harvey says.
