Minister for Agriculture, Bridget McKenzie, used the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award dinner to urge women to emulate the winners and to be the change they wanted to see.
"The awards are an excellent way to showcase the achievement of rural women and acknowledge the essential role they play in regional industries, businesses and communities," Minister McKenzie said.
"Agriculture is so much more than shearing sheep and riding tractors. We need to inspire the next generation of women to see agriculture, fisheries and forestry as the exciting, profitable and dynamic sector it truly is.
"Invigorating our women and our young people to seek out careers in agricultural is an important element to making agriculture a $100 billion industry by 2030.
"The finalists that have gathered in Canberra last night showcased some fantastic projects.
"Congratulations to the Rural Women's Award winner, NSW's Jo Palmer, for her initiative that sees the regions as places full of potential, and a source of highly skilled workers for city employers to tap into.
"She's passionate about the $25 billion positive effect on our nation's GDP that is achievable by lifting women's employment by six per cent, made all the more achievable in regional Australia by increased connectivity.
"She's putting talented professionals in regional, rural and remote areas in contact with businesses all over Australia so they have access to challenging work where they live and businesses have access to a whole new pool of expertise.
"Huge congratulations to all the finalists as well, for putting themselves out there and for their contribution to regional industries and communities."
Nominations for the 2020 Awards open today to all women involved in rural and regional industries, business and communities.
State and territory winners receive a $10,000 bursary to bring to life a project or initiative that will benefit rural and regional industries and communities, with each state and territory winner also participating in leadership development opportunities and having access to a valuable alumni network.
