Shine Awards 2021: Meet the 180 rural women nominated
Meet the 180 women from across rural and regional Australia who are nominated for this year’s Shine Awards. See why they are leaders in their field.
Now in its fifth year, of The Weekly Times Shine Awards celebrates the passion, spirit, courage, belief, dedication and grace of the nation’s rural and regional women.
Readers have been invited to nominate rural women who make a real difference to their communities, industries and wider Australia.
Over the past 14 weeks, The Weekly Times in partnership with Harvey Norman has shared stories of resilience, vision, humility, bravery and leadership, showcasing the work of women on farms and off them, in rural towns, sporting clubs, health services, businesses and community groups whose achievements deserve to be recognised.
Judges have chosen 19 finalists of 2021, from the 200 nominations that poured in from readers.
With some being nominated by multiple readers, the list of nominees this year stands at 180 stellar women who all deserve recognition for their accomplishments. They hail from across the nation, and their names are listed here.
Congratulations to you all.
2021 SHINE AWARDS NOMINEES
NSW
Jayne Bentivoglio, Lue
Olive oil producer
Emily Brett, Armidale
Cattle producer and advocate for the farming families who were affected by the live cattle export ban
Sarah Britz, Fountaindale
Founder of Spendwithus.com.au, which supports rural small businesses
Cressida Cains, Robertson
Dairy Cocoon founder and sheep dairy farmer
Rebecca Cardile, Holbrook
Farmer, mother and dedicated community volunteer
Zelda Chambers, Booligal
Young PR professional who raises the profile of agriculture
Kristy Cosier, Armatree
Community champion and event organiser
Penny Crawford, Gunnedah
Founder of Crawford Boots who celebrates women in resources
Jacinta Cullen, Broken Hill
Lifeline project officer
Donna Dal Molin, Young
Junior Rugby League volunteer
Nicole Deakin, Echuca
Mother
Jenn Donovan, Corowa
Dedicated to her local community and showcasing rural Australia
Meryl Dorey, Bangalow
Health advocate
Ellen Downes, Canowindra
Doctor, mother, farmer, country advocate
Tracey Evens, Gunnedah
Registered nurse working in aged care
Kate Gunn, Gunnedah
Grain grower
Amy Harvison, Newcastle
Head of programs and operations for not-for-profit Top Blokes Foundation
Cassandra Hiles, Sydney
Dedicated mother who is “the strongest person I know”, said a reader
Samantha Huer, Colo Vale
Driving force behind Feed The Farms Inc.
Elsie Jensen, Boggabri
“Rock of Gibraltar” for her district of Willala as school bus driver for more than 29 years
Alison Kennedy, Coonamble
Early childhood educator and ambassador for children’s welfare
Annabelle Kingston, The Rock
Founder of not-for-profit Fetch it for a Farmer
Donna Layton, Nymbodia
Sawmill manager
Chrystal Leadbeatter, Woodburn
Macadamia farm manager
Virginia Mall, Kulnura
Regenerative farmer and founder of Grace Springs Farm
Clare Martin, Dorrigo
Former dairy and beef farmer
Sarah Mason, Round Mountain
Runs Coastal Turf and long-term involvement in the horticulture industry
Kate McBride, Menindee
Fifth-generation grazier, agriculture advocate and healthy waterways ambassador
Jennifer Nestor, Coolamon
Cheesemaker at Coolamon Cheese
Katie O’Brien, Five Ways
Lead officer for Aussie Helpers charity
Lee O’Connor, Coonamble
Owner and editor of the Coonamble Times
Ruth Sandow, Milparinka
Creator of the Sturt’s Steps touring route
Fiona Soulsby, Lavington
Co-founder of ProAgni
Karen Sparkes, North Haven
Community advocate
Ellen Stanmore, Dubbo
Founding member of the Royal Flying Doctor Service
Ros Steart, Harden
Advocate for the rights of homeless people
Cassie Sutherland, Quirindi
Mixed farmer
Madhu Tamilarasan, Lithgow
GP and health advocate
Monique Tucker, Jindera
Increasing awareness about eating disorders in rural areas
Renae Watson, Giants Creek
Aged care worker
Rachel Westblade, Lockhart
Farmer and community champion
Margaret Wicks, Scone
Breastfeeding Counsellor and founding member of the Nursing Mothers Association
Rhonda Wilkie, Port Macquarie
Aged care worker
QUEENSLAND
Selina Carey, Goomeri
Innovator in pig farming and beekeeping
Melanie Fitzgibbon, Goomboorian
Businesswoman
Raelea Foley, Atkinson Dam
Rodeo promoter who started a charity for brain injury survivors
Angela Fredericks, Biloela
Human rights campaigner
Kate French, Capella
Mixed farmer and community leader
Kylie Gersekowski, Pittsorth
Designer
Elyse Hannan, Dirranbandi
Director of nursing at Dirranbandi
Ellen Hay, Nanango
SES co-ordinator and local business owner
Natasha Johnston, Chinchilla
Founder and director of a not-for-profit that provides assistance to farming families
Sally Kirkwood, Charters Towers
Local racecourse lobbyist and citizen of the year
Meg Kummerow, Norwin
Ag drone business founder
Alienor Le Gouvello, Outback
Adventure rider who conquered the Bicentennial National Trail
Katarina Lottchen, Bundaberg
Marketer who organises networking events for women in business
Carmel Meurant, Eulo
Farmer who hosts a yearly music festival in her outback community
Catriona Murdoch, Boobijan
Cattle farmer
Angie Nisbet, Hughenden
Produces a podcast focusing on rural women
Bonnie, Molly, Jemima and Matilda Penfold, Meandarra
Cattle producers
Chantel McAlister, Goondiwindi
Rural photographer
Donna Robinson, Grasstree Beach
Digital artist and digital media eductor
Natasha Roebig, Jimboomba
Advocate for women in the beekeeping industry
Zena Ronnfeldt, Dalby
Environmental advocate against feral pig infestation and the coal seam gas industry
JuneMary Shaw, Edens Landing
Chihuahua pup producer and mother of nine
Ellen Terrell, Daintree
A professional potter with 20 years of service dedicated to a far North Queensland arts centre
Kay Tommerup, Scenic Rim
Dairy farmer and community leader who supports other small producers
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Anne Andary, Lower Light
Second generation egg farmer
Beck Barry, Naracoorte
Farmer and saleyards manager
Natalie Clark, Mil-Lel
Took over the family dairy after her father died from cancer
Katharine Crane, Kapunda
Runs social media marketing workshops for regional and rural businesses
Frances Frahn, Holowiliena Station
Wool grower and agritourism operator
Joanne Hurrell, Port Lincoln
Team manager for support services throughout the Eyre District
Simone Kain, Penola
Founder of George the Farmer children’s books
Lanie Kelton, Mount Barker
Seamstress and small business owner who focuses on sustainable practices
Monica Ley, Coonalypn
Sheep farmer
Stephanie Schmidt, Worlds End
Rural mental health advocate
Robyn Verrrall, Mccallum
Local leader in the fight for traceability in livestock theft
Kay Zander, Flaxmans Valley
Farmer and community leader who co-ordinated the delivery of food following a local bushfire
TASMANIA
Tanya Barrett, Deloraine
Runs a rural medical general practice
Caroline Brown, Rosevears
Leader in sustainability and innovation in the Tasmanian cider market
Kristy Bujora, Copping
Manages a not-for-profit that organises food and clothing to those in need
Sarah Byers, St Marys
Works on a cattle farm
Felicity Richards, Launceston
Runs two properties with her husband and is president of the Committee of Management of Primary Employers Tasmania
Wendy Squibb, Devonport
Leading real estate agent
VICTORIA
Julie Aldous, Mansfield
Agribusiness advocate who champions beach camps for disabled children
Rosemary Atherton, Drouin
Dairy farmer who helped form Gippsland’s Women in Dairy discussion group. Is the sole supplier of St David Dairy in Fitzroy
Janet Auchterlonie, South Gippsland
Initiated the GippsDairy Fertility Matters Discussion Group, and has been a significant member of other community initiatives
Michelle Axford, Korumburra
Local dairy leader, who has her PhD in dairy genetics
Rebecca Barry, Apsley
Spokeswoman for relaxed border restrictions for ag-related operations throughout the pandemic
Rose Beyer, Yarra Glen
Agronomist and community leader
Molly Black, Robinvale
Ag student pursuing her masters in agricultural science
Fiona Caine, Boort
Vet and local leader
Rita Canning, Myamyn
Cattle breeder
Tamsin Carvan, Korumburra
Founder of The Borough Dept. Store and local food champion
Tamara Coakley, Kyneton
Natural horsemanship trainer
Fiona Cole, Camperdown
Farmer and volunteer firefighter
Sue Cook, Meeniyan
Community leader
Sarah Crowe, Gruyere Yarra Valley
Multi-award winning winemaker
Chloe Hazel Dann, Lang Lang
Ranger and animal welfare advocate
Ali Davies, Branxholme
Manages 30,000 ewes over nine farms
Annette Delaney, Bendigo
Full-time carer and mother of two
Ann Durie, Wycheproof
Local leader, dedicated to instructing the next generation
Jackie Elliot, Byaduk
Runs a Rural Women’s Day event, has made a Rural Women magazine and makes a podcast
Jenny Flavel, Birregurra
Runs an 800-acre property and drives a Grader for BHP
Elisabeth Ford, Mernda
Passionate mother, grandmother and quilter
Kimberley Furness, Bendigo
Regional writer
Kathy Gabriel, East Gippsland
Cattle farmer and cross-country horserider
Emma Germano, Mirboo North
President of the Victorian Farmers Federation and advocate for rural communities
Anna Gray, Dunkeld
Farmer
Claire Harrison, Bridgewater
Group fitness leader and rural health advocate
Lauren Hateley, Avenel
Clinical psychologist who co-founded an online platform that allows rural small businesses to showcase their products
Tara Hindson, Neuarpurr
Matriarch who helps managed a mixed operation
Avril Hogan, Horsham
Newly appointed general manager of Longerenong College
Leah Humphrey, Warrnambool
Teacher
Denise, Donna, Lou, Mel and Ruby Jackson, Boho
Farmers and produce store founders
Cath Jenkins, Purrumbete
Owns an egg farm with her husband and started her own consulting business focused on agribusiness
Keeley Johnston, Ballan
Runs a charity for fellow autistic children
Kristy Kemp, Myers Flat
Solo parent and cancer survivor who has developed a farm that supports people with disabilities, mental illness and vulnerable children
Natalie Kerst, Healesville
Runs a wholesale flower and tourist farm who has continued the business through Covid and her husband’s passing
Gemma King, Swifts Creek
Kindergarten-daycare teacher and role model for youth
Jessica Knight, Stratford
Young farmer and dairy industry advocate
Grace Lamers, Yea
Wife, mother and grandmother who breeds Friesian horses by herself on 600 acres
Jacqui Lanarus, Mainridge
Runs a property for pasture-raised eggs with her partner Gabbi
Ang Lea, Hamilton
Horse riding instructor, equine therapist and artist
Bryony LePoidevin, Benalla
Stud breeder and who donates handmade products to fundraising
Marilyn Mackie, Meeniyan
Community champion and CWA member
Jo Mackinnon, Tintaldra
Farmer and active member in the Upper Murray bushfire recovery program
Milly Mackinnon, Tintaldra
Cattle producer who is determined to be a leader in the industry
Naomi Malone, Boort
Regional counselling psychologist who employs 16 people
Merle Mathisen, Gembrook
Volunteer and community leader
Chris McGregor, Strathbogie
Wagyu farmer
Kathryn McIntosh, Kyabram
Vet by trade who is vice president of Harners Breeders Victoria
Marianne Morgan, Colbinabbin
Revitalised a local pub through personal investment
Gwenda Mulconry, Drouin
Hockey industry leader
Fiona Murdoch, Colignan
Manages a private conservation area of 490 hectares dedicated to the preservation and promotion of mallee species
Philippa Noble, Brimin
Former officer in the Department of Agriculture and current farm forestry officer
Natalie O’Connell, Omeo Region high country Victoria
Shire council member who has worked to revitalise the Omeo region
Janette O’Keefe, Winslow
Landcare champion and CWA member
Bonnie Orchard, Benambra
Brumby chaser
Cathy Palmer, Katamatite
Founder of a local cow-and-calf-together dairy
Jackie Peacock, Hamilton
Motorbike racer who raises funds for Beyond Blue
Sarah Peake, Echuca
Manages a neighbourhood house that takes care of locals of all ages
Arnna Pickering, Horsham
Community leader
Paula Riches, Irrewillipe
Farmer and community leader
Courtney Righetti, Dean
Gave up her job as a primary school teacher to take over the family farm in order to help her dad who has Parkinsons
Cindy Rowley, Maffra
Raises money for Beyond Blue
Madelaine Scott, Northcote
Organic egg business owner who strives for sustainability
Kumi Slade, Willow Grove
Free-range egg producer
Jennifer Smith, Clifton Creek
Community leader whose property was damaged in the 2020 bushfires
Leah Spokes, Elliminyt
Brahman stud and commercial Angus farmer
Janie Stace, Jeetho
Animal rescue advocate
Lisa Virgona, Derrinallum
A young mother of two and business owner
Sarah Walkerden, Berringa
Digital marketer and rural copywriter
Tarsha Walters, Nulla Vale
Farmer
Chloe Warkotsch, Bass
Animal rescuer
Amy Whitten, Echuca
OT with speciality in paediatrics and highly interactive with her community
Maree Wilson, Boralma
Runs a farm and is a Rotary Club member who is highly active in her community
Lillian Worthington, Trentham
Sewed face masks during the pandemic giving them to her friends and the wider community
Sema Yilmaz, Bairnsdale
Country doctor who set up the respiratory clinic for East Gippsland when the pandemic hit
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Janita Bellottie, Geraldton
Advocate for Indigenous education
Verity-Jane Dolton, Carnarvon
Aviation mechanic and chief engineer at a company that maintains mustering helicopters and planes
Lydia Inglis, Marble Bar
Acquired a life threatening brain injury on a cattle station and is making a remarkable recovery
Makaela Knapp, Katanning
Undergoing treatment for a rare blood disorder and Aplastic Anaemia who is raising awareness and encouraging people to donate blood and go on the bone marrow donation register
Aliesha Murray, Beverley
Deputy principal, mother of three and community leader
Margaret Palmer, Albany
Runs a successful earthmoving company that employs more than 30 staff
Alana Scott, Geraldton
Farms pigs and iron ore with her husband while raising three boys
Brooke Wilson, Newman
Community leader
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