A woman of influence

MORE than 500 women, including outstanding entrants from rural and regional areas, were nominated for the Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence awards this year.

Picture: Luminastock

MORE than 500 women, including outstanding entrants from rural and regional areas, were nominated for the Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence awards this year.

The 100 winners whose names were announced recently were selected in 10 categories, including board and management, social enterprise, business enterprise, public policy, innovation, diversity, young leader, global, local/regional and the newcomer - culture.

Well-known northern New South Wales rural communications specialist Robbie Sefton was among the winners in the local and regional category.

The honour prompted her to think about constructive ways to use her "five minutes of fame".

These are her insights:

WHAT does it mean to be an influencer in regional Australia?

Today, the Australian Financial Review and Westpac have announced the winners of the 100 Women of Influence awards - women who have shown vision, leadership, innovation and action in and beyond their field.

I'm honoured - and truth told, pretty excited - to be one of the winners, based on my work over the past decades in regional Australia.

I'm just back in the office from speaking to our local radio station and the conversation really made me think.

It's one thing to enjoy five minutes of fame, but awards such as these have a much deeper meaning.

I am deputy chair of the National Australia Day Council, which co-ordinates the Australian of the Year Awards, so it's top of mind to me what it means to win a significant public award.

You become an ambassador for your cause - someone with the influence to bring about real change.

Take Rosie Batty, 2015 Australian of the Year.

A brave survivor of domestic violence (her husband murdered her son Luke in public), she has become an extremely influential lobbyist, working to halt domestic violence.

She's credited with putting domestic violence on the national agenda (according to Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay).

Rosie has dedicated herself to fighting domestic violence and calling for systemic changes.

Along with the many other men and women battling to turn things around, Rosie's work is making a difference.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is behind the cause, and the government has just pledged a huge package of support to tackle domestic violence.

Rosie is an inspiration to me - as are the recipients, past and present, of the 100 Women of Influence awards.

I can't wait to see what these women achieve in the coming years, individually and together.

And as for me - well, I'd be happy with a regional Australia that is flourishing, diverse and sustainable, providing careers for our young people, equal opportunities for women, and clean, green produce for Australia and the world, amidst healthy landscapes.

That's not too much to ask, is it?

The most influential woman in each category, as well as the most influential woman overall, will be announced at The Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards evening on October 15 in Sydney.