Rural women recognised in fifth annual Shine Awards

News Corp Australia is putting a spotlight on regional and rural women who are holding communities, businesses and industries together.

Luke and Frances Frahn with children Todd, 11, and Stella, 9, at Holowiliena Station in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Picture: Matt Turner

When wool grower Frances Frahn’s rugged Flinders Ranges station was ravaged by its worst drought in its history, she sprang into action and got to work.

Amid a natural disaster that knocked many farmers off their feet, Ms Frahn had a different idea of what the future looked like for her and her family – she was determined to make sure her station remained viable for generations to come.

With no source of income after one very long, harsh summer that claimed most of her sheep in a few short months, Ms Frahn decided to pivot her business and throw her all into a new tourism venture.

After eight years of rearing sheep and producing high-quality wool on her fifth-generation 33,000ha property in South Australia, Frances and her husband, Luke, built a thriving accommodation and tourism experience that now attracts visitors from across Australia.

The couple began by renovating their shearers’ quarters and the property’s governess cottage, while homeschooling two children. As soon as they listed the accommodation online, bookings started flowing in.

Her determination and creativity during incredibly tough times means Ms Frahn will be a contender in this year’s annual Shine Awards, which put a spotlight on the untold stories of rural and regional women.

A partnership between Australia’s leading rural and regional masthead The Weekly Times and Harvey Norman, the fifth Shine Awards recognise the hitherto unsung leaders and innovators who make a real difference to their communities.

Over the next 14 weeks, NewsCorp Australia will be helping to amplify these tales of rural resilience, including women’s stories and achievements on and off farms, in rural towns, community groups, sporting clubs, local businesses and schools.

As Ms Frahn’s station slowly recovers from its long battle with drought, she continues to welcome guests and run the property as a tourism destination. Ms Frahn said the venture has helped her to protect and preserve the history of the station.

Jennifer Nestor, a master cheesemaker in the NSW Riverina, has also been nominated for her innovative leadership in making lactose-free cheese.

Determined not to fail, Ms Nestor has risen through the ranks in her ­industry to take the lead role at Coolamon Cheese and go on to win a bronze medal at the World Cheese Awards in Italy for her lactose-free brie.

West Australian cattle breeder Rita Canning has been nominated for an award for her positivity during some of life’s toughest challenges, which saw her lose her father to illness and her daughter suffer a horrific car accident.

Readers are encouraged to nominate women whose stories deserve to be told, with winners to be announced in November.

To nominate a rural woman for the Shine Awards, go to shineawards.com.au