Carol Mudford
2025 Rural Women's Award NSW/ACT State Winner and National Winner
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2025 Winners
Get to know the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award National Finalists.
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Carol Mudford
2025 Rural Women's Award NSW/ACT State Winner and National Winner
Founder of sHedway
Carol Mudford is a shearer, wool handler, registered nurse, and the founder of sHedway, a national not-for-profit tackling suicide prevention and mental health in the shearing industry. Based in Dubbo, NSW, Carol launched sHedway in 2023 after the loss of a fellow shearer to suicide and the growing need for mental health support in sheds across Australia.
In its first year, sHedway delivered 42 events across every mainland state, opening up honest conversations and practical support. Carol was named the 2025 NSW AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Winner for her leadership and commitment to improving wellbeing in one of Australia’s most iconic and under-supported industries.
Watch Carols Story Here
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Isabella Thrupp
2025 Rural Women's Award WA State Winner and National Runner Up
Founder of Prinking in Pindan
Isabella Thrupp is the founder of Prinking in Pindan, a clothing brand inspired by life on cattle stations in the Kimberley. Currently managing Leopold Downs Station alongside her partner Jacob, Isabella has spent the past five years living and working on remote stations.
Her debut product, The Pindan Jeans, sold out within minutes, highlighting the demand for stylish, durable clothing designed for station life. Passionate about empowering rural women, fostering connections between rural and urban communities, and championing sustainability, Isabella is redefining fashion for the outback.
Watch Isabella’s Story Here
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Nicole McNaughton
2025 Rural Women's Award QLD State Winner and National Finalist
CEO of Food and Agribusiness Network
Nicole McNaughton is the CEO of the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN), one of Australia’s leading food industry clusters, representing over 470 members across the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Noosa, Moreton Bay, and beyond.
With over 20 years’ experience in strategic communications, including global roles with brands like Heineken, Nicole is passionate about helping regional agrifood businesses grow, collaborate, and thrive. Through FAN’s flagship Grow National program, she champions connection and community-led growth for producers, makers, and entrepreneurs across regional Australia.
Watch Nicole’s Story Here
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Kelly Johnson
2025 Rural Women's Award SA State Winner and National Finalist
Founder of SPhiker
Kelly Johnson is the creator of SPhiker, an agribusiness dedicated to sustainability, innovation and supporting rural communities by creating eco-conscious, shelf-stable meals tailored for outdoor enthusiasts. As one of the only 100% sustainably made and packaged hiking meal brands on the market, SPhiker champions responsible consumption by transforming surplus and second-grade produce direct from South Australian farmers into nutritious, ready-to-eat meals.
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger, Responsible Consumption and Climate Action, SPhiker aims to close the circular economy loop. By rescuing produce that might otherwise go to waste, the business supports local agriculture, reduces food waste and fosters environmentally responsible practices.
Over the next year, SPhiker will strengthen rural economies and provide farmers with a consistent market for surplus produce. Recently winning the Premier’s Food and Beverage Award for Sustainability, SPhiker has solidified its position as a leader in sustainable outdoor food solutions. This initiative is not just about meals—it’s about setting a new standard for sustainable hike products.
Watch Kelly’s Story Here
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Kristy Hollis
2025 Rural Women's Award Northern Territory Winner and National Finalist
Director of Everlasting Health
With over 23 years of experience, Kristy Hollis is a dedicated naturopath, herbalist, entrepreneur, industry advocate, and mentor. She brings a unique perspective to rural and remote healthcare in the Northern Territory, shaped by an evolving journey, from using insects to control weeds to recognising their value as medicinal herbs. This transformation fuels her passion for bridging traditional and modern medical approaches, particularly in chronic disease prevention.
As former President of the Complementary Medicine Association of Australia, Kristy has been a strong advocate for integrating naturopathic care into public health policy. Through her initiative, Women’s Business, Kristy continues to champion accessible naturopathic healthcare in rural communities, empowering individuals through holistic health education, collaborative care, and community-driven support.
Looking ahead, she is committed to supporting women across remote regions and forging partnerships with First Nations healers—fostering a holistic approach to healing that benefits individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole.
Watch Kristy’s Story Here
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Dr Mary Cole
2025 Rural Women's Award VIC State Winner and National Finalist
Founder of Agpath Pty Ltd
Dr. Mary Cole is an internationally recognised expert in mycology, plant pathology, and soil microbiology with a career spanning over five decades. A pioneer in biological farming and founder of Agpath, she has spent more than 45 years advocating for regenerative agriculture, proving that sustainable practices can enhance yields while significantly reducing input costs.
Her work has helped transform farming operations, restore degraded landscapes, and challenge conventional chemical-based agriculture. She has advised farmers globally, led groundbreaking research, and played a key role in legal victories against major chemical corporations. A passionate educator, she recently collaborated on launching a Certificate III in Horticulture focused on industrial hemp production.
With urgent concerns over global soil degradation, Dr. Cole remains committed to sharing her knowledge, advancing sustainable farming practices, and ensuring a healthier future for agriculture.
Watch Mary’s Story Here
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Sarah De Jonge
2025 Rural Women's Award TAS State Winner and National Finalist
Founder of 1000 Hearts
Sarah De Jonge is the heart and hands behind 1000 Hearts, a kindness movement that began in 2016 with a simple yet profound idea, sewing and sharing tiny handmade pure woollen hearts as tokens of love, hope, and comfort. Based in Kingston, Tasmania, Sarah has a background in psychology and counselling, with years of experience in the non-profit sector supporting people through life’s toughest moments.
1000 Hearts started as a personal project, with Sarah hand-stitching a thousand pocket-sized hearts to give away as random acts of kindness. What began as a heartfelt gesture soon grew into a global movement, embraced by schools, hospitals, community groups, and individuals seeking a way to spread compassion in times of grief, trauma, illness, or uncertainty.
Sarah’s work is deeply personal. Her own experiences of loss, resilience, and healing have shaped her belief that small acts of kindness can create meaningful change. She has seen firsthand how carrying a simple heart can offer solace to those facing challenges, from anxiety and depression to natural disasters and global crises. At its core, 1000 Hearts is about human connection, bringing people together through creativity, community, and the shared belief that kindness has the power to heal. Each heart is an opportunity for mindfulness, a symbol of love, and a reminder that no one is alone.
Watch Sarah’s Story Here