AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award
The Rural Women's Award is delivered nationally by AgriFutures Australia in partnership with Agriculture Victoria and the Rural Women's Network. The Award recognises and celebrates the vital contribution women make to rural and emerging industries, businesses and communities across Australia. It provides a platform for women to develop and showcase a project, initiative or cause that will positively benefit rural and regional communities.
Each state and territory winner receives a $15,000 grant for their project, business or program, as well as professional development opportunities and access to the national alumni network. Finalists receive public recognition and promotion of their project, business or program through the Award process as well as access to the alumni network. The alumni network offers alumni-only networking events, capacity-building opportunities, information about other funding opportunities and builds connections across rural industries.
These opportunities help recipients build their leadership skills, expand their networks and increase the impact of their initiatives.
2027 awards
Applications are now open for the 2027 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, with applications closing 4 November 2026.
We know there are many outstanding women across Victoria whose leadership, innovation and community contribution deserve recognition. Your support in applying, or identifying and encouraging potential applicants, will help Victoria attract a strong field of candidates for the 2027 Award.
Apply or nominate someone at AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award
Not ready to apply? Consider the Acceleration Grant
The Acceleration Grant supports rural women who are not yet ready to apply for the Award. Each year, 7 Australian women will be provided with a learning and development bursary of up to $7,000 to enable them to bring their idea, cause or vision to life.
Find out more about the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant on the Acceleration Grant webpage.
Previous award winners and finalists
Victoria’s past winners and finalists showcase the talent, innovation and leadership of rural women and the valuable contribution they make to communities and industries across the state. Explore the inspiring women recognised in previous years and the projects they are bringing to life.
2026 Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner and finalists
Becky Dickinson, Victorian state winner and national finalist
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.
Finalists
Sherri Symons
Sherri Symons is a sheep farmer and founder of WoolGrow Australia.
She transforms low-value crossbred wool into biodegradable gardening and soil health products that improve water retention and soil health.
Her work adds value to Australian sheep farming while advancing circular agriculture and sustainable land management.
Nadine Holgate
Nadine Holgate is an occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience in brain injury rehabilitation.
Through Neurolinks, she delivers education and mentoring to strengthen rural allied healthcare worker capabilities and improves access to specialised rehabilitation services in regional and rural Victoria.
Sam Pritchard
Sam Pritchard is the founder of People in Paddocks and creator of the award-winning PIPA platform, which simplifies farm safety and compliance across Australian agriculture.
Through her national Safety Served Sweet project, Sam drives behaviour change through practical on-farm safety education.
Dr Mary Cole, Garfield (winner)
Dr Cole, from Garfield, is an internationally recognised expert in mycology, plant pathology, and soil microbiology.
She has dedicated her career to advocating for biological farming practices that regenerate soil health, reduce synthetic chemical use, and improve the long-term sustainability of Australian agriculture.
Sherry Symons, Ellerslie (finalist)
Founder of WoolGrow Australia.
Woolgrow Australia creates sustainable gardening solutions using 100% wool products to support the environment and the crossbred wool industry while promoting eco-friendly gardening.
Den Lim, Churchill (finalist)
Founder of Uplift Collective.
Uplift Collective is a collaboration of over 20 organisations providing free, engaging activities for young people across Latrobe and Baw Baw, helping them connect with local services through entertainment, cultural events, sports, and the arts.
Grace Larson, Kyneton (winner)
Kyneton paediatric intensive care nurse Grace Larson founded The Sisterhood Project after 15 years caring for critically injured children.
The project provides free paediatric first aid training to rural parents, carers and vulnerable groups, reducing cost and distance barriers and building skills to respond while awaiting emergency services.
Grace was also a Victorian finalist in the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
Georgina Morrison, Hamilton (finalist)
Hamilton-based creative professional Georgina Morrison founded the Creative’s Toolkit to help rural creatives, small business owners and entrepreneurs build profitable careers.
Drawing on her experience publishing in national outlets, she delivers courses, workshops, a podcast and free resources that position rural Australia as a leader in creative education.
Reeanjou Ram, Melbourne (finalist)
Melbourne-based entrepreneur Reeanjou Ram founded iTrazo Tracetech in 2017, drawing on her experience growing and selling produce on her family property in Fiji.
Her traceability technology gives Australian produce a secure digital identity, helping regional producers manage transport risks and provide consumers with information about provenance, sustainability, biosecurity and product safety.
Sarah Holmes, Mildura (finalist)
Mildura-based zoologist Sarah Holmes has more than 20 years’ experience across government and private sectors in regional Victoria and New South Wales.
She founded EnviroEDU in 2013 and now leads a team of five educators delivering biodiversity, conservation and sustainability education to children and rural and regional communities.
Nikki Davey, Glenmore (Victorian and national winner)
Glenmore flower farmer and tech entrepreneur Nikki Davey co-founded Grown Not Flown, a digital platform connecting consumers with local flower growers.
Using her skills in business, digital product development, technology and data, she grew the platform to more than 3,500 users in 30 countries and developed a knowledge hub to support small-scale growers and reduce flower miles.
Grace Larson, Kyneton (finalist)
Kyneton paediatric intensive care nurse Grace Larson founded The Sisterhood Project after 15 years caring for critically injured children.
The project provides free paediatric first aid training to parents, carers and vulnerable groups in rural Australia, reducing cost and distance barriers and improving emergency preparedness.
Neha Samar, Shepparton (finalist)
Shepparton-based Neha Samar founded the free non-profit Flamingo Project, connecting regional Victorian women with mentors who can support their personal and professional growth.
Drawing on her experience as a migrant, she designed the program without entry barriers to expand networks, opportunities and support for regional women.
Michelle Daga, Macarthur (finalist)
Macarthur birth worker Michelle Daga is a nutritionist, birth educator, postpartum nutrition coach and certified doula.
She founded Better Birth in the Bush to improve rural birth and postpartum outcomes through self-paced online education, group classes and certified training for birth workers.
Sarah Duncanson, Greendale (finalist)
Greendale-based paediatric critical care nurse Sarah Duncanson works at the Royal Children’s Hospital caring for critically injured children and families managing complex medical needs.
Her company, PAEDS Education, provides hybrid and online paediatric carer training so rural families can access specialised skills regardless of postcode.
Kimberley Furness, Strathfieldsaye (Victorian winner and national runner-up)
Strathfieldsaye-based regional journalist Kimberley Furness founded and edits OAK Magazine, which profiles female entrepreneurs and women in rural and regional business.
She is expanding it across print, digital and audio, working with editors, writers, photographers and digital specialists to amplify rural women’s voices and strengthen their business networks.
Nikki Davey, Glenmore (finalist)
Glenmore flower grower and digital product developer Nikki Davey co-founded Grown Not Flown, a platform that helps growers promote locally grown flowers and consumers find them.
She aims to expand it for florists, event professionals and small businesses while promoting seasonal flowers, reducing flower miles and supporting local economies.
Deborah Bogenhuber, Irymple (finalist)
Irymple ecologist Deborah Bogenhuber works with Food Next Door Co-op, helping 30 migrant farmers access land, water, tools and training to grow culturally important crops.
Her project establishes a small-scale cooperative mill in Mildura so members can turn their maize into flour, strengthen food connections and build a sustainable community-led business.
Kelly Barnes, Dunkeld (winner)
Dunkeld resident Kelly Barnes is developing a Working Dog Training School to build practical skills, resilience and connection among rural people.
The pilot will offer eight local participants six one-day small-group training sessions over 12 months, combining working dog skills with networking and social interaction.
Kerryn Wildenburg, Kyneton (finalist)
Kyneton resident Kerryn Wildenburg is creating a permaculture Food Forest where vulnerable community members can learn to grow and cook nutritious food while supporting the local food bank.
Her work with Kyneton Caring Community Inc has developed her skills in managing people and change, persuasion and community education.
Jackie Elliott (finalist)
Byaduk resident Jackie Elliott coordinated a 2019 International Rural Women’s Day event attended by 140 people.
She is developing a toolkit to help communities across Australia run their own celebrations, reduce isolation and strengthen connections among rural and regional women.
Katrina van Eyk (finalist)
Pyramid Hill swimming coach Katrina van Eyk is expanding an affordable eight-week summer Learn-to-Swim program using underused regional community pools.
The program teaches water safety, builds community connection, supports physical and mental health, and trains local people as qualified swimming teachers.