What an absolute pleasure and privilege it was to learn more about the four finalists at the AgriFutures NSW-ACT Rural Women’s Award dinner this week.
These four women are truly inspirational and motivational. All of them talked about how they still felt inspired and supported by others in the room, but I hope they all realise the importance of what they are doing to demonstrate to other women that they can pursue their dreams.
The CWA of NSW has sponsored this award for some time as we really feel it is such an important initiative to give women that are focused on rural issues or businesses the recognition they deserve and a platform to take their ideas further.
Jillian Kilby is a very worthy winner of this prestigious award; yet so humble. Her ideas and projects will be so beneficial for helping others get into and begin their business, as a way of harnessing their talents.
We are extremely lucky to have someone that has achieved the things she has, to actively decide to reinvest her time and money back into regional NSW.
These awards also help us, and government to further understand the barriers to entry for regional entrepreneurs and start to push for positive change wherever we can.
Take Olympia Yarger for example. I was absolutely fascinated to learn about the practice of insect farming. This is really exciting stuff and there are so many “wins” in the insect farming model that go way beyond job and wealth creation.
Whilst the push to achieve and succeed is a great focus of the awards; all the while, we must also understand that our health, and the health of our communities are a crucial part of the equation in reaching that success.
I was thrilled to see the Active Farmers concept founded by Ginny Stevens get its due recognition through the award this week as well.
We can all stand to do a bit more physical exercise that’s for sure; as well as making self-care a priority. In doing so, the mental health benefits are enormous as well, and Ginny’s concept has already benefited many in this way.
I was awed by Shanna Whan’s honesty, candour and relatability when telling her personal story.
These awards are so important, not just for the award itself, but more importantly, for the associated work in coaching, mentoring and lifting women up to push past the boundaries of their confidence and achieve great things for themselves, their families and their communities.
We are always looking for ways to encourage regional development and there is a massive untapped pool of talent just waiting to be unleashed that these awards encourage.
The CWA of NSW wholeheartedly congratulates all the applicants and finalists in these awards.
You are all doing wonderful things that are making a difference, probably even more than you know or realise.
