Congratulations to the 2020 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award finalists
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the national AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, including the Territory’s Amy Kirke.
Darwin-based Amy Kirke represented the Northern Territory (NT) in the national awards. Cara Peek from Western Australia announced as the winner, and Cressida Cains of New South Wales as the runner-up. Broome-based lawyer and social innovator Cara Peek was the winner of the national award for her work co-founding Saltwater Country, helping drive employment opportunities for First Nations people in remote Australia.
2020 NT finalist Amy Kirke said she enjoyed the opportunities the award presents.
“It was an incredible experience and a privilege to represent the NT as a finalist. I congratulate the winner, the runner-up and all the finalists because everyone has put their heart and soul into their projects.
“This award provides you with a platform to do something you love and are passionate about. You’re also introduced to a network of strong, supportive, amazing women who are there to help build you up, and want to do something positive for their communities.”
The annual awards celebrate the achievements of women from the rural communities and industries and provides a platform to inspire and support women in the sector.
The Rural Women’s Award is proudly supported by the NT Government and coordinated in the NT by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade.
The awards event for the 2020 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award state / territory winners was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions, with the online national ceremony for the 2020 finalists hosted by the 2019 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award national winner, Jo Palmer.
The Territory has a diverse and well-established agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors, with plant-based industries alone are worth over $350 million and over 135,000 tonnes of produce grown annually.
Supporting the awards helps the government foster and encourage future leaders of the sector, which has been highlighted as a priority growth industry which creates ongoing local jobs.
The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for 2022 has a revised and tightened criteria for 2022 which required applicants to have an existing project, business or program which falls into a community, collaboration or commercial category. The funding from the award will help NT women in rural industries support their project, business or program.
The finalists receive a $15,000 bursary for their project, business or program, as well as access to professional development opportunities and alumni networks. The national winner is awarded an additional $20,000 bursary, while the national runner up receives an additional $15,000.
Applications for the 2022 award closed on 28 January 2022, with the Northern Territory finalists due to be announced next month.
Read more about the NT Rural Women’s Award.
