Community & Business
22 September, 2023
2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award applications now open
APPLICATIONS are open now for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
The Rural Women’s Award supports Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities.
The AgriFutures Australia Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant is open to provide professional development support to rural women to bring their idea, cause or vision to life.
Last week, Pet Treats entrepreneur Emma-Louise Gibbons – this year’s Queensland Rural Woman Award winner – represented Queensland at the national Rural Women’s Award gala event in Canberra.
Victorian tech entrepreneur and innovator Nikki Davey was announced as this year’s national winner.
The award is designed to empower and celebrate inclusive and courageous leadership by women involved in Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses and communities.
It provides a platform to inspire and support Australian women to use and develop their skills to benefit their industries and communities.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner encouraged Queenslanders to enter the awards.
“These awards are a fitting tribute to the many women providing leadership and inspiration across our rural communities,” he said.
“Our Queensland finalist, Emma-Louise Gibbons, is a fine example of what is being achieved by so many women in the agriculture sector right across our state.
“I encourage Queensland women in agriculture and other rural industries to have a look at the inspiring stories of our previous winners and consider putting their hands up for next year’s awards.”
Westpac has been a platinum sponsor of the Rural Women’s Awards for more than 15 years. The Queensland winner of the Rural Women’s Award will receive a $15,000 grant to further their work and represent Queensland at the national awards where they have the chance to win an additional $20,000 grant.
Queensland’s new state sponsor, the Queensland Country Women’s Association, will provide a $2,000 grant to Queensland’s finalists.
In addition to the Rural Women’s Awards, AgriFutures Australia offer the Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant as a leadership and development opportunity for rural women who feel they are not quite ready to apply for the award.
The Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant provides a bursary of up to $7,000 for professional development, driving innovation in rural industries, businesses and communities.
Applications will close on Wednesday, 25 October 2023.
