Shine Awards 2024: Meet the finalists
These 19 regional and rural women have been selected from an incredible field of nominees as finalists for the 2024 Shine Awards.
The Weekly Times and Harvey Norman are proud to unveil the finalists in the 2024 Shine Awards.
Now in its eighth year, the Shine Awards celebrates the achievements and contributions of women across rural and regional Australia.
Nominees’ stories have appeared in The Weekly Times during the past year, with a dedicated campaign that put rural women in the spotlight over the past 14 weeks.
From an impressive field of nominees right across Australia – each worthy of recognition in their own right – these 19 women have been selected in each of the six categories: Belief, Courage, Dedication, Grace, Passion and Spirit.
The category winners will each receive a $2500 voucher from Shine Awards supporter Harvey Norman.
A special Youth Award will also be presented to a nominee under the age of 30 who shows great potential to be a future leader in her industry or endeavour.
From these, one will be chosen as the overall winner and receive an additional $5000 from Harvey Norman.
All the winners will be revealed in a special Shine Awards magazine, featuring the inspirational stories of all 19 finalists. Don’t miss it, free in The Weekly Times and The Australian on Wednesday, November 27.
Meet this year’s finalists, listed in alphabetical order:
BELIEF
Noelene Brown, Horsham VIC
Noelene created Rural Sobriety, a program and one-on-one counselling program just for rural and regional people wanting to give up alcohol, inspired after her own battles with addiction.
Kelly Johnson, Wall Flat SA
Launched a dried fruit snacks business using seconds fruit from local farmers in an effort to reduce food waste, after seeing just how much product was ending up in the bin.
Shona Larkin and Angie Nisbet, Longreach QLD
Sisters who have developed a range of sunsmart farm workwear, in a bid raise awareness and prevention of skin cancer for those who work on the land.
COURAGE
Fiona Harrison, Moss Vale NSW
This Wiradjuri woman is the founder of social enterprise Chocolate on Purpose, which creates treats infused with native botanicals sourced from First Nations growers. She started the business as a way to connect to her ancestors after she was taken from her family as a child.
Danny Mayson-Kinder, Primrose Sands TAS
Launched a charity focused on delivering anti-bullying and emotional wellbeing programs to schoolkids, in honour of her 12-year-old daughter, who died in a horse accident in 2016. The books are now in 58 schools.
Katie O’Brien, Nymagee NSW
This farmer created the Open the Gates, Check your Mates social network and online blog, aimed at connecting farmers going through tough times. Katie was inspired to act after her own experiences with mental health challenges.
Sarah Wheeler, Rowena NSW
The photographer, farmer and horsewoman is currently undertaking a 5500km solo horse trek through outback NSW and Queensland, to raise funds and awareness for upper gastrointestinal cancers – a cause close to her heart following the death of her mother.
DEDICATION
Courtney Bylett, Charleville QLD
This nurse has been with the Royal Flying Doctor Service for 13 years, and is also an active fundraiser for the RFDS in Charleville. A community champion, she also runs tennis clinics while running her own small business.
Natasha Kocks, Gladstone QLD
The now chief executive officer of Aussie Helpers took over running the leading rural-focused charity from her parents, its founders. She is also on the board of RRR Women Queensland and mentors other rural women in the Gladstone region.
Katrina Ogden, Wanalta VIC
Sheep farmer and community fundraiser who has helped raise almost $500,000 over the past decade for kids with cancer and the Royal Children’s Hospital. The annual fundraisers have got bigger and better each year, with the whole community involved.
GRACE
Felicity Burton, Cooranga North QLD
A cattle producer and founding member of the Common Ground Foundation, which actively raised funds to buy and run three units in Toowoomba for rural families needing accommodation while accessing healthcare.
Amee Dennis, Peterborough SA
A self-made farmer, artisan and on-farm accommodation provider who brought a unique new arts festival to the region. Amee is also operating a farm-stay on her pick-your-own-sunflower farm, with an aim to increase ag education.
Jade Williams, Badgingarra WA
All-round community champion who is the go-to person to get things done in Badgingarra, serving on many local committees and the CWA, as well as an advocate for the live sheep export trade.
PASSION
Kylee Dennis, Barrack Point NSW
An investigator and e-safety expert, Kylee’s business Two Face Investigations focuses on exposing romance scams as well as educating vulnerable people about scammers.
Sarah Golding, Inverell NSW
This veterinarian has developed Vet Mind Mentor, a course aimed at teaching new vets resilience and mental health skills to prevent the burnout and stress that is causing many graduates to leave the profession.
Tegan Nock, Orange NSW
Co-founder of LoamBio, which is changing the face of grain-growing in Australia through its newly developed seed biotechnology. The product can help reduce emissions while also increasing productivity.
SPIRIT
Kate Box, Northampton WA
This local footy photographer has made 15,000 player cards for the region’s kids to swap and share, and is an active advocate for growing sporting opportunities in the town.
Amanda-Lyn Pearson, Winton QLD
A comic and a pilot, Amanda-Lyn has been creating an artistic space in her outback town with the formation of the Crackup Sisters. The venue is giving rural and regional performers a space to showcase their talents.
Bianca Scrymgour, Darwin NT
The captain of the Darwin Brothers rugby league team – who led her team to a three-peat premiership victory this year – is also an under-18s coach and mentor to younger players, and tireless in her championing for growth of women’s sport.
Meet the incredible women paving the way for rural Australia
From outback Queensland to Orange, Winton to the Whetbelt — meet the extraordinary Aussie women nominated for this year’s Shine Awards.
Helping sporting youth both on and off the field
An outstanding captain in her own right, it’s the opportunity to have a positive impact on young women everyday through coaching and mentoring that drives Bianca Scrymgour.