Shine Awards 2022: Rural women honoured at Cruden Farm

This year’s winners travelled from across Australia to be honoured at the 2022 Shine Awards lunch. See all the pictures.

Nine inspiring rural women from across Australia have been honoured at the sixth annual Shine Awards lunch.

Merino wool fashion designer Emily Riggs was named overall winner of the awards, which are run by The Weekly Times in partnership with Harvey Norman.

The 2022 Shine Awards lunch at Cruden Farm; (from left) The Weekly Times deputy editor Camille Smith, Tammie Meehan, The Australian editor Michelle Gunn, Bianca Tarrant, Herald and Weekly Times chair Penny Fowler, Tanya-lee Holmes, Emily Riggs, Harvey Norman chief Katie Page, Bloss Hickson, Kate Strong, Claire Harris, Antonia O’Neill of Harvey Norman and Naomi Moran.

Shine Award Passion and overall winner Emily Riggs, from Burra, South Australia. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Herald and Weekly Times chairman Penny Fowler and Harvey Norman chief executive Katie Page presented the awards on Tuesday at Cruden Farm.

Emily was honoured for establishing Iris & Wool, a brand that showcases sustainable Australian wool, honours her mother who passed away after battling breast cancer, and gives a slice of profits to charity to help other families who are fighting the disease.

Launched in 2017, the Shine Awards is a national campaign that celebrates rural and regional women in six categories: Belief, Courage, Dedication, Grace, Passion and Spirit.

A special Youth Award was awarded to Hoedowns for Country Towns co-founders Kate Strong and Claire Harris, who have been boot scootin’ across the nation to raise money for rural charities.

Also honoured were meat subscription business founder Bianca Tarrant of Baryulgil NSW, entrepreneur and disability advocate Tanya-lee Holmes of Bathurst NSW, organic farmer Bloss Hickson of Rolleston, Queensland, youth mental health advocates Tammie Meehan and Carly McKinnis of Ararat, Victoria, and Koori Mail flood-recovery hub co-ordinator Naomi Moran of Lismore NSW.

SHINE AWARDS 2022 PICTURE GALLERY

Courage winner Tanya-lee Holmes from Bathurst NSW. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Spirit winner Naomi Moran from Lismore NSW. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Shine Passion and overall winner Emily Riggs, from Burra, SA. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Youth award winners Kate Strong and Claire Harris from Queensland. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Belief winner Bianca Tarrant. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Harvey Norman chief Katie Page and Herald and Weekly Times chair Penny Fowler. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Claire Harris and Kate Strong share their story. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Grace winner Tammie Meehan. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Grace winner Tammie Meehan of One Red Tree Resource Centre. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

From left, Katie Page, Bloss Hickson, Tammie Meehan, Kate Strong, Claire Harris, Bianca Tarrant, Tanya-lee Holmes, Naomi Moran, Emily Riggs and Penny Fowler.

Dedication winner Bloss Hickson. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Dedication winner Bloss Hickson with her husband Rodney Perrett. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Overall winner Emily Riggs from Burra, SA. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Courage winner Tanya-lee Holmes with her son, Waryk. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Spirit winner Naomi Moran shares her story. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Belief winner Bianca Tarrant speaks to guests. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Youth award winners Kate Strong and Claire Harris. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Bianca Tarrant with partner David McGiveron. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Bloss Hickson and Rodney Perrett. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Shine Awards 2022 lunch, from left, The Weekly Times deputy editor Camille Smith, Tammie Meehan, The Australian editor Michelle Gunn, Bianca Tarrant, Herald and Weekly Times chair Penny Fowler, Tanya-lee Holmes, Emily Riggs, Harvey Norman chief Katie Page, Bloss Hickson, Kate Strong, Claire Harris, Antonia O’Neill of Harvey Norman and Naomi Moran. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin