A message from Tim Mulherin Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland.
 
The time has come again for women to be celebrated for their contributions to Queensland's primary industries.

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin today encouraged women to apply.

"If you are passionate about making a difference to your industry or rural community then you should apply," he said.

"Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF) sponsors and co-ordinates the annual Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation's (RIRDC) Rural Women's Award.

"The award process provides women with an important leadership and capacity building opportunity.

"There will be four finalists, from whom the state winner will be chosen.

"Finalists have the opportunity to participate in a range of skill-building workshops and meet with senior QPIF leaders."
2005 finalist, Georgie Hinc hley, from Bingil Bay in North Queensland, said the award process helped her better understand her business.

"The RIRDC award process helped me to, for the first time, put a value on my time and I was able to make more effective business decisions," she said.

"It also gave me credibility within my industry and opened doors I wouldn't have been able to access previously."
QPIF award co-ordinator Kaye Nunan also encouraged women to apply.

"The winner will receive a $10,000 bursary aimed at assisting them to develop their skills and contribute to profitable and sustainable primary industries in Queensland," Ms Nunan said.

"The bursary can be used for different purposes including international study tours, training and website development.

"Past winners and finalists have been proactive in the feedlot industry, conservation, horticulture, sheep and cattle producing, wool growing and in sugar."

This year's winner, southeast Queensland feedlot co-owner Barb Madden, used her bursary to create a partnership between Indigenous pastoralists and her feedlot through the development of a sustainable cattle feeding business model.

Ms Madden said the opportunities that came from her involvement in the Rural Women's Award exceeded all of her expectations.

"It's been such a fantastic experience, especially getting to know so many inspirational women in primary industries," she said.

"The award provided me with the platform to have my ideas heard and to receive feedback, to discover more about the great work women in primary industries are doing all over the country, and to meet key industry contacts.

"I feel my leadership skills have improved as a direct result of my involvement in the award, and I am confident in managing all aspects of my business going forward."

Ms Madden went on to become runner up of the 2009 Australian Rural Women's Award.

Applications for the 2010 Rural Women's Award close on October 15, 2009, World Rural Women's Day.

For more information on the award contact Ms Nunan on (07) 3239 3254, email wiriu@dpi.qld.gov.au or visit www.ruralwomensaward.gov.au

4 September 2009