Nicci Teitge’s Frocks in the Frost raises $78k for rural causes
From personal darkness to community champion: This is how 28-year-old Nicci Teitge transformed grief into a powerful force for rural Australia.
Nicci Teitge knows the power of a welcoming community.
After years working on cattle stations across Queensland and the Northern Territory, she arrived in Mansfield at one of the toughest points of her life.
“I was living in Queensland when someone very close to me passed away suddenly in a car accident,” she said.
“At the time, I was droving 2000 weaners on the stock route.
“I listed my property for sale, packed my dogs and horses into the gooseneck, and drove three days straight to get back to my family in Victoria.
“Somewhere over the border, my ute blew up, then my dog was hit by a car.
“I was a shell of a human.”
Almost broke and unsure of her next step, Nicci searched “agricultural jobs Victoria” online.
That search led her to Mansfield, where she landed a job at Corcoran Parker.
“I rocked up to my interview in my dad’s old ute, I didn’t have anywhere to live and nowhere to keep my horses,” Nicci said.
“But I walked out with a job - and what I didn’t realise at the time, I was also walking out with a community.”
That community helped Nicci get back on her feet - and today the 28 year-old is paying it forward, raising tens of thousands of dollars for rural causes.
Her fundraising event Frocks in the Frost has become Mansfield’s must-attend winter celebration, raising more than $80,000 in just two years.
In 2023, $30,000 was raised for the Merrijig Campdraft and rural mental health initiative Are You Bogged Mate?
“I just wanted to bring the community together and remind everyone that even in winter when it’s freezing cold, there are so many people who are there to support you, enjoy a drink with, who love this community, love the bush and are passionate about rural Australia,” Nicci said.
Her community spirit doesn’t stop there.
Last year, she joined the Variety Postie Bike Rally with her father and uncle, riding 1400km through rural NSW, helping raise $300,000 for Variety - the Children’s Charity.
Nicci has also represented Mansfield in the Rural Ambassador competition, placing second at state level.
She also competed in the State Champion Young Farmers Challenge team, and volunteers across multiple local committees including Merrijig Campdraft, Mansfield Campdraft and the Agricultural and Pastoral Society.
She’s an MLA Ambassador promoting the red meat industry to young people, and now works with Invest in Your Farmer, connecting consumers with agricultural producers.
“My driving force is seeing the result of people living in connected communities,” Nicci said.
“Being able to knock off work and see three people you know at the supermarket is really important.”
Through everything she does, her message is clear: rural communities are stronger when people come together.
Nicci has been nominated for the Shine Awards. To nominate an outstanding rural or regional women in your community, click here.
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