The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award has announced it four finalists, recognising their leadership qualities and commitment to regional SA industries, business and communities.
The state finalists were Di Thornton, a nurse at the Mallee Border Health Centre at Pinnaroo, Clare-based civil engineer Michelle Verco, Mid North farmer and business owner Natalie Sommerville and Deanna Lush, a communicator and farmer from Palmer.
The award allows state and territory winners to bring to life a project or initiative that will benefit rural or regional Australia, with a $10,000 bursary from Westpac.
The winner will also receive professional development opportunities and will join an impressive Alumni network.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said the award was an excellent platform for recognising emerging female leaders with the desire, commitment and leadership potential to make a greater contribution to primary industries and regional communities.
“The diversity of this year’s finalists is impressive and is a testament to the broad reach of the award. Our finalists this year cover industries such as health, engineering, tourism, farming, emerging industries and communications,” he said.
This year’s judging panel for the state round was AgriFutures Australia’s Pip Grant, Westpac’s Brad Higgins, Piper Alderman’s Bianca Jennings and the 2018 SA Rural Women’s Award winner Alex Thomas.
The state winner will be announced at a presentation in Adelaide on March 28 and they will compete for the national title against other state and territory winners at an event in Canberra later in the year.