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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.

About the Award

Over the past 25 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.

Download the Rural Women’s Award Fact Sheet

Applications are currently closed however, applications for the 2027 Rural Women’s Award will open in September 2026.

If you’re passionate about leading change in rural and regional Australia, AgriFutures Australia offers two unique pathways to help you make a difference.

Submit your expression of interest now

2026 Rural Women's Award Winners

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Amy Vickers

2026 Rural Women's Award Tasmanian State Winner and National Finalist

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Kelly Shotton

2026 Rural Women's Award Northern Territory State Winner and National Finalist

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Kristie Ivone

2026 Rural Women's Award New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory State Winner and National Finalist

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Narelle Zanker

2026 Rural Women's Award South Australian State Winner and National Finalist

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Angie Nisbet

2026 Rural Women's Award Queensland State Winner and National Finalist

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Becky Dickinson

2026 Rural Women's Award Victorian State Winner and National Finalist

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Angela Teale

2026 Rural Women's Award Western Australian State Winner and National Finalist

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Amy Vickers

2026 Rural Women's Award Tasmanian State Winner and National Finalist

Founder, Well Beyond Service

Amy Vickers spent 26 years in the Royal Australian Navy, rising to Chief Petty Officer – and when her service ended with a medical discharge, she faced the question every veteran knows: “What now?”

The answer came unexpectedly, through a gifted horse named Alby on her property in Gladstone, Tasmania. That connection became the spark for Well Beyond Service, a rural retreat program helping those that have served in Defence and Emergency Services rediscover identity and purpose after service life.

Through nature, animals, art, therapy and genuine community, Well Beyond Service is earning national recognition for its impact on some of Australia’s most dedicated people.

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Kelly Shotton

2026 Rural Women's Award Northern Territory State Winner and National Finalist

Founder, BoreWatch

Kelly Shotton is a station hand, qualified pilot and founder of BoreWatch – an app transforming how remote cattle stations monitor and manage their water infrastructure.

Raised on a sheep and cropping farm in Rochester, Victoria, Kelly completed an electrical apprenticeship before taking a station role with Consolidated Pastoral Company at 25. She found her calling in the industry and never looked back. Now based in Darwin as Senior Head Pilot for CPC, she developed BoreWatch from a practical need to streamline bore run reporting on remote stations – and recognised its potential far beyond her own operation.

With the support of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award and the Westpac $15,000 grant, Kelly is investing in app development to commercialise BoreWatch and make it accessible to stations across Australia.

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A woman in a green jumper sits at an outdoor table, smiling at the camera. She has dark hair and red lipstick. Autumn trees with orange leaves are in the background, and a latte is on the table in front of her.

Kristie Ivone

2026 Rural Women's Award New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory State Winner and National Finalist

Founder, Boas Language Academy

Kristie Ivone grew up on a beef cattle farm in Whorouly, Victoria – and after a cancer diagnosis, she did what many wouldn’t: she founded a social enterprise.

That enterprise became Boas Language Academy, born from her belief that regional communities thrive when diversity is celebrated and everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Based in Albury, Boas trains migrants to teach their languages and share their cultures, turning language from a barrier to a connector.

With 13 migrant teachers and more than 80 students in its first year, Boas has delivered over 29 language courses since commencing in September, 2024.

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Narelle Zanker

2026 Rural Women's Award South Australian State Winner and National Finalist

Co-founder, Dairy Adventures

Narelle Zanker is a dairy farmer, former teacher and co-founder of Dairy Adventures, an agritourism venture bringing the story of dairy farming to life on the family’s 4,000-acre property just outside Mannum, South Australia.

Raised on the land and shaped by four years in the classroom teaching from ELC to Year 11, Narelle returned to her family farm to combine her twin passions for education and agriculture. In September 2024 she co-founded Dairy Adventures, the only experience of its kind in South Australia, welcoming visitors of all ages for hands-on encounters with daily farm life, from bottle-feeding calves and touring the dairy to meeting pet cow Elvis.

In its first year, Dairy Adventures attracted more than 1,000 visitors and earned a Silver Medal at the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards. With the support of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award and the Westpac $15,000 grant, Narelle is expanding the farm’s visitor spaces, developing educational spaces, activities and signage on the farm, and delivering educational resources in collaboration with Dairy Australia.

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Angie Nisbet

2026 Rural Women's Award Queensland State Winner and National Finalist

Beef producer and co‑founder of FarmHer Hands

Angie Nisbet is a fifth-generation beef producer from remote North-West Queensland and co-founder of FarmHer Hands, an initiative focused on improving sun safety and skin health outcomes in rural Australia.

FarmHer Hands was established following her sister’s melanoma diagnosis and the loss of a close friend to skin cancer. In response, Angie and her sister developed UPF50+ sun-protection gloves designed for life on the land.

With the support of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award and the Westpac $15,000 grant, FarmHer Hands is leading the AgriSkin Project – a national initiative focused on early intervention and improving access to skin health services in rural Australia, including the “Protect the Hands that Feed the Nation” campaign and virtual skin check pilots for remote communities.

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Becky Dickinson

2026 Rural Women's Award Victorian State Winner and National Finalist

Founder of Veterinary Support Services

Becky is a mixed-animal veterinarian and founder of Veterinary Support Services  (VSS), an initiative dedicated to strengthening the future of rural veterinary practice in Australia.

After working in regional mixed practice since 2007, with a strong focus on dairy cattle, Becky recognised the urgent need for structured post-graduate support for early-career veterinarians entering demanding rural roles. In response, she established VSS to deliver mentoring, training and professional networking pathways designed to improve confidence and drive retention of graduate vets.

Through the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award grant, Becky will continue developing innovative, financially sustainable models of post-graduate training that support young veterinarians and help secure a resilient rural veterinary workforce for Australia’s livestock industries.

 

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Angela Teale

2026 Rural Women's Award Western Australian State Winner and National Finalist

Strategic Advisor and Co‑Founder of Starsite Pty Ltd

Angela Teale is an aerospace engineer, co-founder and Strategic Advisor of Starsite Australia – a company bringing world-class space infrastructure to regional Western Australia.

Her career began in the US Air Force and has spanned over two decades at the leading edge of the global space sector.

She moved to Geraldton in 2015, and what looked like a career-limiting sea change turned out to be anything but.

In 2022, she and her husband co-founded Starsite. Their Mullewa site is now part of the world’s first commercial network dedicated to lunar communications, in partnership with KSAT, operational by end of 2026.

As the recipient of the 2026 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, Angela is committed to building real STEM pathways into the space industry for regional and Indigenous communities across Western Australia.

Rural Women’s Award Alumni State Chairs

Rural Women’s Award State Chairs play an ambassadorial role in their State or Territory. As representatives of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, they mentor and support current and future applicants, champion the Award locally, and help strengthen connections across rural and regional communities. State Chairs actively nurture their Alumni networks by hosting networking events, facilitating professional development opportunities and fostering meaningful connections that support women to grow, lead and create impact within their industries and communities. Feel free to get in touch with your State Chair – they would love to hear from you.

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Jeanette Long

South Australian Rural Women’s Alumni State Chair

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Jane Milburn OAM

Queensland Rural Women's Alumni State Chair

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Maree Gooch

Western Australian Rural Women's Alumni State Chair

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Donna Digby

Northern Territory Rural Women's Alumni State Chair

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Cressida Cains

New South Wales / Australian Capital Territory Rural Women's Alumni State Chair

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Kelly Barnes

Victorian Rural Women's Alumni State Chair

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Melissa Duniam

Tasmanian Rural Women's Alumni State Chair

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Jeanette Long

South Australian Rural Women’s Alumni State Chair

Jeanette Long brings more than 20 years’ experience in leadership, facilitation and extension training, championing talent development across regional and rural Australia. She has worked extensively with farmers and agricultural professionals, including through roles with Dairy Australia, Sugar Research Australia, the National Grower Group Collective and the Red Meat Profit Partnership in New Zealand. Most recently, Jeanette served as Master Facilitator for the MLA‑sponsored NB2 Program.

Jeanette holds advanced degrees in Business Administration and Agriculture and is a certified facilitator, coach and trainer. Her leadership has been recognised through the SA Rural Woman of the Year Award, a Centenary Medal and the SA Young Achiever Award for Regional Development.

Farming at Undalya and on the Eyre Peninsula with her family, Jeanette is deeply committed to supporting and elevating AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award alumni.

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Jane Milburn OAM

Queensland Rural Women's Alumni State Chair

Jane Milburn OAM is a social entrepreneur and nationally recognised leader in fashion sustainability. Through her book Slow Clothing and her business Textile Beat, established in 2013, Jane challenges conventional approaches to clothing and consumption, advocating for ethical, mindful and creative ways of dressing.

Her work builds on an earlier career in agricultural science, journalism and communications, and reflects a strong commitment to regenerative thinking, skills development and personal agency. Jane is a Churchill Fellow, an Australian Rural Leadership Foundation fellow and a trained permaculture teacher.

A 2010 Queensland Rural Women’s Award finalist, Jane was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2022 for service to fashion sustainability. As Alumni Chair, she brings a systems‑thinking approach to leadership, connection and positive change for rural women.

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Maree Gooch

Western Australian Rural Women's Alumni State Chair

Maree Gooch is an accomplished entrepreneur and management consultant with more than 30 years’ experience across farming, hospitality, SMEs, not‑for‑profits and government. Having spent almost 25 years as a hands‑on farmer, Maree brings a practical, grounded perspective to business strategy, transformation, governance and financial management.

She is deeply committed to regional and rural Australia and generously contributes her expertise through board and philanthropic roles at both state and national levels. In 2018, Maree co‑founded Value Creators, a consultancy focused on helping people and businesses flourish through capability development, mentoring and sustainable transformation.

As Western Australian Alumni Chair, Maree is passionate about supporting rural women to build confidence, capability and strong networks that create lasting benefits for business, industry and community.

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Donna Digby

Northern Territory Rural Women's Alumni State Chair

Donna Digby is a passionate advocate for remote and Northern Australia, with a deep connection to the Northern Territory spanning more than 25 years. Having lived and worked across most regions of the NT, Donna brings a strong understanding of place, people and community.

With two decades’ experience in regional economic and community development, Donna works alongside local people to shape inclusive, practical and future‑focused outcomes. Her leadership approach is grounded in authenticity, collaboration and creating opportunities that draw on lived experience and local knowledge.

As Northern Territory Alumni Chair, Donna is committed to supporting women to reach their leadership potential through connection, mentoring and strong networks. She is driven to help create pathways for leadership development and investment that strengthen communities and showcase the best of Northern Australia.

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Cressida Cains

New South Wales / Australian Capital Territory Rural Women's Alumni State Chair

Cressida Cains is an entrepreneur and innovator dedicated to advancing Australian agriculture through education, technology and value‑adding opportunities. With strong financial acumen and corporate governance experience, she has worked across commercial enterprises and not‑for‑profit organisations, with a particular passion for supporting women in small business and inspiring young people to pursue agricultural careers.

In 2011, Cressida co‑founded Pecora Dairy, an award‑winning cheesery recognised for research and innovation, including becoming Australia’s first licensed producer of raw milk cheese. She later founded Dairy Cocoon, an online platform supporting dairy farmers to explore value‑chain opportunities.

Cressida is the 2020 NSW/ACT Rural Women’s Award winner and National Runner‑Up. As Alumni Chair, she is committed to strengthening pathways, skills and leadership across regional, rural and remote communities.

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Kelly Barnes

Victorian Rural Women's Alumni State Chair

Kelly Barnes is a rural wellbeing advocate and dynamic disability champion with a lifelong connection to agriculture. Originally from her family farm in the south of England, Kelly has worked across farming and shearing teams in the UK, New Zealand and Australia, settling in Western Victoria in 2011.

Her career spans agribusiness roles and further study in Agricultural Health and Medicine and Healthy and Sustainable Agricultural Communities, shaping her passion for supporting rural health and connection. As the 2020 Victorian Rural Women’s Award winner, Kelly used the unique power of working dogs to spark conversations around wellbeing and social connection.

Now a qualified Health and Wellness Coach, Kelly brings a strengths‑based approach to her role as Alumni Chair, supporting and elevating rural women across Victoria, often with a working dog close by.

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Melissa Duniam

Tasmanian Rural Women's Alumni State Chair

Melissa Duniam is the founder of Leading Rein and the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Tasmania recipient.

A dairy farmer turned facilitator, Melissa works across personal and professional development, focusing on human behaviour, pattern recognition and building emotional fitness. Her approach combines practical tools with experiential learning, partnering people with horses to help surface insights and unlock potential.

Melissa draws on her own journey—from life behind the farm gate to the realities of business and family life, including periods of burnout and challenge. Through this lived experience, she offers honest, grounded perspectives on identity, resilience and what becomes possible when women prioritise themselves.

Her signature program, Time For You in Tasmania, is a three-day immersive experience designed for women ready to take stock, explore what’s next and consider the contribution they want to make in their next stage of life.

As State Chair, Melissa is committed to supporting rural and regional women to connect, be seen and build the confidence to turn ideas into action. She is particularly passionate about reaching women who may not yet recognise the value of what they’re already doing, and about creating opportunities for alumni to stay connected, continue learning and support one another.

Contact Melissa –

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Previous winners

Find out more about the work of previous winners of the Rural Women’s Award here.
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Alumni Resource Hub

Log in to the Alumni Resource Hub to access alumni exclusive resources, important information and to connect and collaborate with fellow alumni.

Frequently Asked Questions

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