Jeanette Long
South Australia
sastatechair@agrifutures.com.au
We need rural leaders with the skills and knowledge to make informed decisions about the future of their enterprises and industries. We also know the unique challenges faced by rural women and how important grants for women are. That’s why we created the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award – Australia’s leading award empowering and celebrating the inclusive and courageous leadership of women involved in Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses and communities, now and into the future.
Over the past 21 years, the Award has gained a significant profile, and is recognised as a program of influence among parliamentarians, industry, media and Award alumni. Each state and territory Winner receives a $15,000 Westpac grant for their project, business or program, access to professional development opportunities and alumni networks.
AgriFutures Australia is committed to the future growth and advancement of the Award as a means of identifying, celebrating and empowering women. The Rural Women’s Award is one of many AgriFutures Australia initiatives ensuring our rural industries prosper now, and into the future.
If you know someone who should apply for the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, please email their name, contact details, and project area to rwa@agrifutures.com.au
If you feel your project, business or program is not mature enough for the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, check out the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant.
We encourage applicants to familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions before applying. Click here to read the full document.
*When we refer to “rural industries” we mean agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
The $15,000 Westpac grant is awarded to each state/territory winner, providing the financial resources to support a project, business or program that will benefit rural industries, businesses and/or communities.
The grant can be used for formal training in leadership and business management; overseas study tours; establishing business plans or pilot programs; developing educational or promotional campaigns; networking at forums and conferences to grow your knowledge of industries and markets; developing training programs; testing information technology initiatives; developing or testing a new business concept or innovation; and publishing books.
The National Winner will be awarded an additional $20,000 Westpac grant and National Runner Up, an additional $15,000. These additional funds can be used for the above-mentioned activities, plus may also be used to assist in meeting national commitments such as speaking engagements as the National Winner or Runner Up.
Winners will also have the opportunity to complete a professional development training course, and will attend a three-day workshop with all other state/territory winners, to focus on further professional development skills and refinement of their winning project, business or program.
Applications for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award have closed.
Applications for the 2025 Award will open in August 2024. This page will be updated with more detail regarding how to apply when applications open.
In the meantime, we encourage applicants to familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions before applying. Click here to read the full document. We also encourage contacting your state/territory coordinator before you submit an application. They will be able to guide you through the application process and provide feedback on your project, business or program to ensure it is relevant and meets the criteria.
Wednesday, 13 September 2023
2024 applications open
Wednesday, 25 October 2023
2024 applications close at 5pm AEDT.
(Note: NT Applications close 26 January 2024 at 5pm AEDT)
December 2023 – March 2024
2024 phone, and face-to-face interviews take place with the state/territory Selection Panel
March 2024 – May 2024
2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award state/territory winners announced
July 2024
2024 state/territory winners participate in a three-day workshop and National Selection Panel interviews
August 2024
2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement
August 2024
2025 applications open
Jeanette Long
South Australia
sastatechair@agrifutures.com.au
Ann Ross
Queensland
qldstatechair@agrifutures.com.au
Lucy Anderton
Western Australia
wastatechair@agrifutures.com.au
Donna Digby
Northern Territory
ntstatechair@agrifutures.com.au
Cressida Cains
New South Wales / Australian Capital Territory
nswstatechair@agrifutures.com.au
Kimberley Furness
Victoria
vicstatechair@agrifutures.com.au
Sally Murfet
Tasmania
tasstatechair@agrifutures.com.au
National Award contact
Sheridan Ingold
AgriFutures Australia
0438 921 421
sheridan.ingold@agrifutures.com.au
Northern Territory
Lorraine Corowa
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
08 8999 2390
lorraine.corowa@nt.gov.au
South Australia
Tara Donnelly
0461 506 745
tara.donnelly@sa.gov.au
Western Australia
Rob Leicester
Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development
08 6552 2018 | 0419 921 056
rob.leicester@dpird.wa.gov.au
New South Wales & ACT
Shannon Bishop
Department of Premier and Cabinet
02 9228 3338 | 0402 924 010
shannon.bishop@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au
Tasmania
Sue Weedon
Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
03 6777 2233
sue.weedon@nre.tas.gov.au
Victoria
Lara McPherson
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions
0416 156 755
lara.mcpherson@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Queensland
Hannah Boman
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
07 3087 8776
hannah.boman@daf.qld.gov.au