Entries set to close for RIRDC Rural Women's Award

JUST under two weeks remain to get applications in for the 2016 RIRDC Rural Women’s Award - Australia’s top award for rural women.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 30 October.

The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award identifies and supports emerging leaders across rural Australia. More than just an award that recognises rural women, it also offers mentoring, resources and support via its nation-wide network of business and community leaders for selected state winners.

Rural women are encouraged to enter themselves or to nominate someone with a commitment and desire to making a real difference to their industry or their community. The Award is open to all women involved in primary industries.

State and Territory winners receive $10,000 to implement their Award idea and will be offered skill development opportunities, including participation in the Company Directors Course run by the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

A national winner and runner-up will be selected from the state winners with a further $10,000 awarded to the winner and $5,000 to the runner-up to support their professional development and contribution to primary industries.

Sarah Powell from South Australia was recently announced as the national winner of the 2015 RIRDC Rural Women’s Award. Sarah will use the bursary to help support rural communities through her ‘Champions Academy’ pilot program, which will foster personal development and leadership through sport and mentoring, and teach aspiring leaders how to lead by example, act with integrity, think selflessly and demonstrate commitment.

The Award is an initiative of the Rural Industries R&D Corporation in partnership with the state and territory agencies responsible for agriculture, primary industries and resources. The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award is proudly supported by the Award’s Platinum Sponsor, Westpac Agribusiness; National Partner, the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water; and Media Partners, RM Williams OUTBACK Magazine, ABC Radio and Fairfax Agricultural Media.

Application forms can be downloaded from the RIRDC website: www.rirdc.gov.au/rural-women’s-award.

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