Nominations sought for 2013 Rural Women’s Award
The Victorian Coalition Government is calling on rural women who want to make a lasting contribution to agriculture and their communities to nominate for the 2013 Rural Women's Award.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said nominations for the 2013 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women's Award were open until World Rural Women's Day on October 15.
"Women in agriculture are often humble in their achievements and shy away from seeking recognition for the work they do in their industries and communities," Mr Walsh said.
"This award is a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution these women make to rural Victoria and also assists them to further pursue their passions."
Mr Walsh said past Victorian award winners had put forward a wide variety of projects to address key issues for agriculture, including innovation in soil biology, food supply-chain improvements, agricultural education and exporting Victoria's unique products to the world.
Victoria's 2012 Rural Women's Award winner was Red Cliffs wine grapes and citrus grower Tania Chapman. Ms Chapman said the award gave her the platform to encourage more young people and more women in the citrus industry, to build on their skills and enthusiasm for change and innovation.
"My passion is getting women to believe in themselves and step up in their industry and their community. Thanks to the Rural Women's Award, more amazing women will be leading the charge for a stronger, sustainable future," Ms Chapman said.
The Victorian winner of the Rural Women's Award will receive a $10,000 bursary to help support her leadership development, and both the winner and the runner-up will attend the prestigious Australian Institute of Company Directors Course in Canberra.
The bursary can be used for leadership and business management training, overseas study tours, establishing business, developing educational or promotional campaigns, networking at forums and conferences, testing information technology initiatives and publishing books.
Nomination forms are available at the RIRDC website at www.rirdc.gov.au or by calling (03) 9658 4493
