SA Rural Women's Award finalists announced

The award supports women to bring a project or initiative to life that benefits rural industries and communities, with a $15,000 grant.

The three finalists are Robyn Verrall of McCallum in the South East; Lukina Lukin of Port Lincoln; and Stephanie Lunn of Jamestown.

Robyn founded Kere to Country ('kere' meaning food from animals in Arrernte), an Aboriginal owned and operated food supply company bringing high quality and affordable meat into First Nations communities in SA and the NT.

Her goal is to reduce food insecurity and increase food affordability in rural, regional and First Nations communities. By doing this Robyn hopes to support people into employment, serving a local solution and empowering communities.

Lukina is the managing director of Lukina Group of Companies and is currently working towards opening a pathway for her business Dinko Tuna and the Australian Southern Bluefin Tuna industry to grow globally, and move into emerging export markets across Asia, Middle East and US.

In 2018, Lukina recognised a threat to the longevity of the Australian SBT industry was its overreliance on the dominant Japanese export market. She's since been working to establish clear strategic direction to diversify and grow the industry's footprint to compete globally.

Stephanie is a highly-motivated agricultural professional working in research and development, as well as being a director for a not-for-profit venture, TrialSafe - an established safety initiative, delivering safety seminars across Australia and a safety podcast targeted at agricultural research professionals and the broader agricultural community. The not-for-profit provides a neutral forum for industry participants to share stories, outcomes and initiatives around safety and worker wellbeing in agriculture.

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Department of Primary Industries and Regions chief executive Mehdi Doroudi said he was impressed with the finalists' achievements.

"The AgriFutures Rural Women's Award recognises emerging leaders with the drive, commitment and ability to make a greater contribution to our rural and regional communities," he said.

"The finalists this year span diverse industries, from food security to opening up global markets to work safety. Their accomplishments so far are inspiring as is their commitment to their communities.

"I congratulate Robyn, Lukina and Stephanie on the immense achievement in becoming a finalist. I wish them all the best in their endeavours, and thank them for their work in making a difference in SA's primary industries."

The state winner will be announced on April 5, who will be awarded a $15,000 Westpac grant to help progress their winning project, as well as receiving professional development opportunities and joining the alumni network.

The SA winner will then go on to represent the State at the national AgriFutures Rural Women's Award Gala Dinner in Canberra on September 6. The national winner will be awarded an additional $20,000 grant.