2014 Rural Women’s Award finalists profiled
Four Western Australian women with a passion for agriculture and regional development are finalists in the prestigious Rural Women’s Awards.
The 2014 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation’s Rural Women’s Awards finalists are Jackie Jarvis, Maree Gooch, Jodie Lane and Gemma Moore.
The Rural Women’s Award recognises the vital contribution women make to Western Australia as advocates for rural industries and communities.
The Western Australian winner will be announced by Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston at an awards ceremony in Perth on Wednesday 12 March.
Jackie Jarvis is a commercial wine grape grower at Margaret River and State manager of MADEC Australia – a not-for-profit employment, training and community development agency.
Maree Gooch, through her Mandurah-based business Belay Consulting, is focused on strategic business development, coaching and succession planning for farmers and family businesses.
Jodie Lane, of Margaret River, has used her background in horticulture and permaculture to start a business which promotes local food growing, Fair Harvest.
Prior to starting her own business Amplify FB, Geraldton-based Gemma Moore was an ABC radio producer, community development officer and communications coordinator.
The WA RIRDC Rural Women’s Awards are supported by the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA), CBH Group and Westpac.
DAFWA Director General Rob Delane said the 2014 finalists were an inspiring example of rural and regional women who were passionate, innovative and committed.
“Each of these finalists has a vision for developing a project which will enhance their industry or their community,” Mr Delane said. “The WA winner will receive a $10,000 bursary to help develop their project.”
The runner-up would receive a $5,000 grant and, for the first time, finalists will receive a $2,000 bursary from the Department of Agriculture and Food WA.
An Australian Institute of Company Directors-based leadership program will also be offered to the State winner and runner-up to build on their management and business skills.
Media contacts:
Jodie Thomson, media liaison, +61 (0)8 9368 3937