Jo Palmer,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
It was a pleasure to host this year's Tasmanian AgriFutures Rural Women's Awards and congratulate some of our most inspirational and innovative rural women.
Tasmanian grazier Stephanie Trethewey took out the top prize and was named the 2022 Tasmanian AgriFutures Rural Women's Award Winner for her work supporting rural mums across Australia.
Based in Dunorlan in North West Tasmania and co-founder of the Tasmanian Agricultural Company, Stephanie created Motherland Village, Australia's first personalised online rural mothers' group.
Motherland Village provides greater opportunities for rural mums across the country to find connection and support, regardless of their location.
Since launching Motherland Village, Stephanie has also partnered with a hospital in the Northern Territory to ensure new mothers have access to her program before they leave the hospital. Stephanie hopes to expand the program and partner with other hospitals around Australia.
As the Tasmanian winner, Stephanie received a $15,000 Westpac grant and will also receive a further $7,500 for professional development. Stephanie will now go on to participate in a three-day workshop with other state and territory winners, before representing Tasmania at the national awards in September.
As Minister for Primary Industries and also Minister for Women, I congratulate Stephanie on her inspirational and innovative work, particularly the way she is bringing people together and combatting the isolation faced by many rural mums.
I'd also like to congratulate the two State finalists, Sally Murfet and Kate Field.
With more than 20 years' experience working on-farm and with agribusiness companies, Sally received the Encouragement Award for her work assisting farmers in managing their workforce through her human resource business Inspire AG.
Kate received the Development Award for her work developing innovative by-product uses in her sustainable farm practices. Kate's own Leap Farm is a carbon positive endeavour producing goat cheese and meat. In alignment with her sustainable ethos, Kate has turned her waste whey into a skincare line: Leapful.
We all know the past two years have been like no other, and it is more important than ever that opportunities for women and girls are front and centre in our vision for a stronger, more resilient Tasmania.
Stephanie, Kate and Sally join a long list of inspiring, influential and innovative women across Australia who have been recognised for their contributions over the now 23-year history of the Award.
I would like to thank Tasmanian Women in Agriculture and the Award's Platinum Sponsor, Westpac Agribusiness for their continued support in celebrating and supporting the contribution, innovation and achievements of women in agriculture in Australia.
