Four Queensland women making positive contributions to rural and regional communities are in the running for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
This year’s winner will receive a $15,000 Westpac grant and represent Queensland at the National Announcement in September where they have the chance to win an additional $20,000 Westpac grant.
Finalists who are not named the state winner will receive a $2,000 grant from State sponsor the Queensland Country Women’s Association.
Kylie Hollonds from Toowoomba manufactures and specialises in supplying products (mainly oats/oat-based) for people with food allergies or specialty diets.
Natasha Kocks from Gladstone runs a charity that provides immediate help to farmers and farming communities when and however they need it through financial support, mental health support, support to families, disaster relief and farm visits.
Kate Lamason from Cairns has a sustainable and preserved tuna business that sells Australian-caught and canned tuna. It is the first tuna business to be established since all other tuna canning went off-shore.
Louise Nicholas from Townsville is creating an engagement and networking initiative to educate and attract high school students into the agriculture sector, while developing industry incentives through recognition of students through awards and bursaries.
The winner will be announced on Wednesday 13 March 2024.
Another two Queenslanders, Emily McNair from Quilpie and Belinda Pooley from Eumundi, have been named as two of seven national recipients of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Acceleration Grant.
