- Published:
- Tuesday 21 March 2017
The 2017 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Victorian Rural Women’s Award has gone to a woman with big plans for the local seafood industry.
Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford, today announced Kirsten Abernethy as the winner of the prestigious award at a ceremony held at Parliament House.
Ms Abernethy, who has worked in fisheries for over a decade, plans to work with women in the fishing industry to determine what information and training will help them better engage with the community and take on greater leadership opportunities.
She hopes to give women in the industry the skills to promote the fresh and sustainable seafood that is available throughout Victoria.
Ms Abernethy was selected by an independent panel alongside three other finalists, Cath Jenkins, Joelene Williams and Lisa Brassington.
Ms Abernethy will receive a $10,000 bursary to help implement her project.
She will also attend the Australian Institute of Directors’ Course in Canberra and have an opportunity to become the national award winner, who will be announced later this year.
The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award acknowledges the leadership role women play in agriculture and rural communities. The award is supported in Victoria by Agriculture Victoria and is sponsored nationally by Westpac.
The Andrews Labor Government is continuing to support women in agriculture by backing initiatives such as Museum Victoria’s Invisible Farmer Project.
Invisible Farmer offers women in agriculture the chance to tell their stories, or those of other inspirational farming women across Victoria.
The Labor Government is also working to reestablish the crucial Rural Women’s Network in Victoria.
The Government also announced its support for the 28th annual Women on Farms Gathering, to be held in Harrow on Friday, 24 March, 2017 to honour and celebrate the important role women play in agriculture and rural communities.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“Congratulations to Ms Abernethy and all the finalists. Your dedication to supporting and developing Victoria’s rural and regional economies is unwavering.”
“Women aren’t just helping shape Victoria’s agricultural agenda, they are leading it.”
“The Andrews Labor Government said we would re-establish the Rural Women’s Network, and that’s exactly what we are doing.”