On International Women’s Day, and throughout the month of March, the Andrews Labor Government is putting the spotlight firmly on celebrating and honouring our Victorian women in agriculture.
Celebrations kicked off today with the announcement of the finalists in the 2017 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation’s (RIRDC) Victorian Rural Women’s Award, which celebrates outstanding leadership and innovation in the $13 billion agricultural industry.
This year’s finalists include:
- Catherine Jenkins, South Purrumbete, who wants to complete a feasibility study and develop an Australian dairy women’s network
- Kirsten Abernathy, West Melbourne, who wants to build a platform for women in fishing to focus on people development and capacity building
- Lisa Brassington, Frankston South, who wants to reduce on-farm waste and lost income caused by waterbirds and bats
- Joelene Williams, Lake Boga, who wants to attend an International Conference on Areawide Management of Insect Pests in Austria, and apply what she learns to help develop the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area Industry Development Committee’s Regional Action Plan
The winner will be announced at Parliament House on Wednesday, 22 March, 2017.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Jaala Pulford announced in Parliament today the Labor Government’s support for Museum Victoria’s Invisible Farmer Project, launched today.
Invisible Farmer offers women in agriculture the chance to tell their stories, or those of other inspirational farming women across Victoria.
The Government also announced its support for the 28th annual Women on Farms Gathering, to be held in Harrow on Friday, 24 March, 2017 to honour and celebrate the important role women play in agriculture and rural communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“Women in agriculture aren’t just helping shape the agenda, they are setting it in their own right.”
“With more young women continuingly enrolling in a degree in Agriculture than men, I look forward to seeing even more young Victorian women entering leadership roles and taking our industry forward.”
“Agriculture and our farming families sit at the heart of rural and regional Victoria, with our food and fibre industry contributing more than $13 billion to our economy.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020