Shine Awards 2024: Meet the incredible rural women nominated
From outback Queensland to Orange, Winton to the Whetbelt — meet the extraordinary Aussie women nominated for this year’s Shine Awards.
Readers have nominated an awe-inspiring array of women for the 2024 Shine Awards.
From farmers to company founders, community advocates to change-makers, this diverse group is getting things done and pursuing positive change right across regional and rural Australia.
Now in its eighth year, the Shine Awards is a campaign by The Weekly Times, and supported by Harvey Norman, honouring women in six categories: Belief, Courage, Dedication, Grace, Passion and Spirit.
The below nominees all deserve recognition for their contributions to communities and industries nationwide.
Out of this amazing field, 19 finalists will be announced on Wednesday, November 20.
Six category winners, a special Youth Award winner and the overall Shine winner will be revealed in a special Shine magazine out with The Weekly Times and The Australian on Wednesday, November 27.
Congratulations to all the nominees and thank you to our readers, for sharing their amazing contributions with us all:
NSW
Emily Armstrong, Carathool
Founder of digital pilates business Saltbush Stretch, who took her studio on the road through regional Australia as part of R U OK? Day.
Natalie Bell, Holbrook
Tackling the problem of plastic waste on farm by launching HyloAg, which recycles plastic livestock tags into a new material that can be on-sold to manufacturers.
Grace Brennan, Gin Gin
Founder of the rural-focused online marketplace Buy from the Bush.
Sarah Britz, Fountaindale
Runs Spend With Us, and online platform for rural businesses.
Kylee Dennis, Barrack Point
Investigator and e-safety expert whose business, Two Face Investigations, focuses on exposing romance scams and educating vulnerable people about scammers.
Kate Dower, Clunes
A cancer care researcher whose work is improving patient outcomes nationwide.
Sarah Golding, Inverell
Veterinarian who has developed Vet Mind Mentor, a course aimed at teaching new vets resilience and mental health skills to prevent burnout.
Sophie Hamilton, Riverina
Jillaroo at Wyvern Station, now helping other young people into this key ag career.
Catherine Hardy, Gurrundah
An Angus and Highland cattle farmer with a focus on regeneration and sustainability, including running the property 100 per cent off-grid. She is working with the local council to provide farm education days for disabled children.
Fiona Harrison, Moss Vale
Founder of social enterprise Chocolate on Purpose, which creates treats infused with native botanicals sourced from First Nations growers.
Dimi Jayawardene, Temora
Founder of homewares brand Inspired Table.
Pip Job, Orange
Former grazier and environmental advocate who worked across government, now working with LoamBio on its groundbreaking seed technology.
Zoe Lamont, Wagga Wagga
The Verve Super founder also owns and runs Farm Door Riverina, which produces and delivers locally made meals and delivers them across NSW, Victoria and the ACT.
Kate Lumbar, Moree
2025 Nuffield Scholar for the cotton industry, focusing on growing cotton with limited water resources.
Cath Mullany, Young
Developed and diversified her cherry and stone fruit orchard to include a vineyard, winemaking, cellar door, and cherrypicking.
Kate Murphy, Hay
Assistant principal of School of the Air at Hay and Broken Hill, who organises events to give her students the chance to meet and interact with their peers
Tegan Nock, Orange
Co-founder of LoamBio, which is changing the face of grain-growing in Australia through its newly developed seed biotechnology.
Katie O’Brien, Nymagee
Created the Open the Gates, Check your Mates social network and online blog, aimed at connecting farmers going through tough times.
Jane Robertson, Coolamon
Runs a thriving e-commerce shoe designer and retailer from the family farm.
Sally Rosin, Bathurst
Co-runs a month-long event in town each year for Breast Cancer Month, and is now spreading the awareness further afield.
Rebecca Saunders, Mudgee
Founded rural women’s business network The Champagne Lounge, as well as runs the region’s Mid-Western Living magazine.
Sara Schmude, Armidale
Natural capital lead at agri-investment firm ImpactAg Partners.
Georgie Schulz, Albury
A stock and station agent climbing the ladder of success in a male-dominated industry.
Dimity Smith, Tamworth
Director of Gro Events, focused on organising and running large scale events in regional and rural Australia.
Jenna Smith, Central Coast
The 19-year-old law student advocates and collects donations for rescue animals across Australia.
Robin Styles, Tambar Springs
Volunteer with the Tambar Springs SES for 23 years, as well as working as a paramedic in the local region for 10 years.
Deborah Szabo, Hunter Valley
This e-marketing strategist is helping rural businesses get more confident in front of the camera.
Tokasa Thompson, Lord Howe Island
This 67-year-old grandmother returned to study to fulfil a community need after the small island was left without a childcare educator.
Victoria Walker, Yass/Sydney
Founded Hand to the Land, which aims to improve mental health education and awareness in rural and regional Australia, following her sister’s death by suicide.
Sarah Wheeler, Rowena
Is currently undertaking a 5500km solo horse trek through outback NSW and Queensland, to raise funds and awareness for upper gastrointestinal cancers.
Katja Williams, Dubbo
Dubbed the ‘Ultimate Rural Mum’, Katja hosts a blog and podcast aimed at women on farm, and is organising a regional event next here covering farming and everyday life skills.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Nicole Brown, Darwin
Founded the Indigenous Women’s Network and member of the Chamber of Commerce, advocating for more opportunities and fostering connections for First Nations people in business.
Liandra Gaykamangu, Northeast Arnhem Land
Founder and creative director of sustainable swimwear brand Liandra Swim, and proud Yolngu woman.
Alley Pascoe, Darwin
Best-selling writer and passionate advocate for the Territory and her local community.
Bianca Scrymgour, Darwin
Captain of the Darwin Brothers rugby league team, under-18s coach and mentor to younger players, while championing the growth of women’s sport.
Kristy Woodward, Darwin
Outreach worker in the NT’s remote communities, working for the NDIS as well as organising extra donations and community events.
QUEENSLAND
Melissa Ashford, Townsville
Built her own business, Pynmanto Equine Encounters, to provide therapeutic and mental health support using horses.
Kellie Blinco, Toowoomba
Manager of AgForce Queensland’s School to Industry Partnership Program, aimed at engaging primary and secondary teachers, to help teach kids the origins of their food and fibre.
Felicity Burton, Cooranga North
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.
Courtney Bylett, Charleville
Nurse with the Royal Flying Doctor Service for 13 years, as well as active fundraiser for the RFDS in Charleville.
Susan Crain, Brisbane
Founder of the Family Counselling Support Network who is developing a rural women’s support hub, to help those in the country access remote counselling and resources.
Sharna Holman, Toowoomba
Cotton Research and Development Association’s young cotton achiever of the year recipient.
Elsie Hudson, Goondiwindi
Cotton Research and Development Association innovation broker, overseeing the Australian Cotton Disease Collaboration.
Natasha Kocks, Gladstone
Chief executive officer of rural charity Aussie Helpers, and board member of RRR Women Queensland.
Shona Larkin and Angie Nisbet, Longreach
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.
Susan Maas, Emerald
Co-ordinated a world-first weather data system to help minimise spray drift and limit the damage it causes to crops.
Tanya Nagle, Wynnum
Inspiring more young people to take up careers in ag and promoting careers in agribusiness, through her role at AgForce Queensland.
Amanda-Lyn Pearson, Winton
A comic and a pilot, Amanda-Lyn has been creating an artistic space in her outback town with the formation of the Crackup Sisters.
Stephanie Toms, Kilcoy
Trekking on horseback down Australia’s east coast on ex-racehorses, to raise funds for a new youth homelessness and emergency accommodation charity.
Danielle Wright, Charleville
Mother of four and a senior constable with the Queensland Police, working in the domestic and family violence unit.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Emily Buddle, Mid-North SA
Researcher in agriculture and biotechnology, and primary producer.
Amee Dennis, Peterborough
Self-made farmer, artisan and on-farm accommodation provider who brought a unique new arts festival to the region.
Gillian Fennell, Marla
Farmer in remote SA who has started a podcast focusing on the trials and tribulations of farm succession planning.
Rosa Hillam, Meningie
A passionate advocate for mental health, disability and environmental issues, nominated for her work with the Black Dog Ride.
Kelly Johnson, Wall Flat
Launched a dried fruit snacks business using seconds fruit from local farmers in an effort to reduce food waste.
TASMANIA
Danny Mayson-Kinder, Primrose Sands
Launched a charity focused on delivering anti-bullying and wellbeing programs to schoolkids, in honour of her 12-year-old daughter, who died in a horse accident.
Jo Youl, Flinders Island
Angus beef producer who runs a luxury farmstay accommodation as well as Flinders Island Wharf Restaurant, which focuses on showcasing the best local produce.
VICTORIA
Claire Bibby, Longerenong
Apprenticeship at Longerenong Agricultural College for the past 12 years, as well as volunteer on Murtoa’s Big Weekend tourism committee, the show society and kindergarten committee.
Noelene Brown, Horsham
Created Rural Sobriety, a program and one-on-one counselling program just for rural and regional people wanting to give up alcohol, after her own battles with addiction.
Shannon Brown, Bridgewater
Organiser of Women in Campdrafting clinics, with women-only riding events that also raise funds for the McGrath Foundation, with about $250,000 raised since their inception.
Bernadine Brullo, Mirboo North
Co-ordinated recovery efforts in the township after it was hit with cyclone-like storms in February this year.
Helen Byrne, Axedale
Travels around regional and rural Australia with her Bra Van, offering mobile bra fittings for women who can’t easily access this basic necessity.
Ruby Canning, Dunkeld
Beef cattle photographer with her own business, Mavstar Photography, as well as volunteering within the beef industry and fundraising by auctioning off her photography prints.
Sylvia Collett, Bass Coast
Gippsland region farmer who opened a bespoke butcher shop in Melbourne, where she stocks small-scale producers at the top of their game.
Mary Denton, Broadford
Equestrian coach who launched her own training centre after facing personal heartache, now focused on sharing her skills with other women as well as NDIS participants.
Emily Edge, Casterton
Digital start-up founder, aimed at highlighting locations and hidden treasures around regional and rural Australia.
Maddi Forbes, Pakenham
This 20-year-old moved away from Pinjarra in WA, to Victoria to pursue her dream of becoming an expert horsewoman.
Abbey Galbraith, Anna Jenkins and Amy Brady, Modewarre
This trio of local mums have banded together to grow more than 10,000 sunflowers at a Surf Coast property, opening it up to visitors for three weeks in January.
Natalie Hardy, Blampied
Runs the regenerative Brooklands Free Range Farms, dedicated to the farm through adversity including undergoing a kidney transplant this year.
Kerry-Leigh Hume, Glenfyne
Former cake decorator turned star dairy worker, she is assistant manager at Aurora Dairies’ Glenfyne site.
Marion Kelly, Springfield
Wool trainer who has dedicated her career to the industry, teaching newcomers about the importance of the skill.
Carol Maygar, Wonthaggi
CWA Wonthaggi member and community volunteer who has contributed to the Victorian SES, Auskick, Homeless Coalition and organised a community food pantry at the local library for those in need.
Danielle McAlpine Johnson, The Honeysuckles
Documentary filmmaker dedicated to highlighting social issues, including work on the Black Saturday bushfires and the role of women in regional Australia.
Ellie McDonald, Dadswell Bridge
Member of the local CFA since she was 16, she is now First Lieutenant at 26 years old, and suffered fire damage to her own farm this year while out fighting fires elsewhere.
Leila McDougall, Tatyoon
Wrote, produced and starred in the film Just A Farmer, which highlights the mental health challenges of the farming community.
Rachael McGrath, Orford
Young dairy industry leader passionate about advocating for the industry and bringing more young people to it, as well as ways to make dairying more sustainable.
Tahirih McLeod, Maffra
Salad greens producer who is actively taking charge of the conversation around agriculture and sustainability in local schools, and promoting better work environments in the horticulture industry.
Kate MacMunn, Woodend
Bendigo Health nurse and midwife who runs ultra-marathons for charity in her spare time.
Lisette Mill, Laang
Environmental educator and conservationist, working to highlight the problems caused by feral cats in particular.
Elle Moro, Eppalock
Former dementia nurse who now owns and operates her own horsemanship centre, aimed at teaching riders confidence and life skills through horses, including women’s retreats.
Elle Moyle, Dunkeld
Veterinarian and farmer managing three properties in the region as well as serving as a CFA volunteer and on the Landcare executive board.
Katrina Ogden, Wanalta
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.
Siale Pitson, Bagshot
Up-and-comer in the livestock industry, is working with Elders at just 19 and this year received an agriculture scholarship from Bendigo Rotary.
Nicole Saunders, Maffra
Dairy farmer who diversified the family farm to include a pick-your-own strawberry farm and cafe, as well as hosting schools and people with disabilities for ag education tours.
Celia Scott, Poolaijelo
Farm owner, manager, mother, and fierce community member contributing as captain of the local CFA, as well as serving as a Victorian Farmers Federation board member.
Rachel Stewart, Chewton
Founder of the ELM Network – Every Life Matters – aimed at providing suicide prevention and awareness, and runs a support group for people bereaved by suicide, as well as runs Castlemaine’s Safe Space for mental health.
Jen Smith, Bengworden
Sheep and cattle farmer, and general manager of the Gippsland Agricultural Group and central to developing a local ag centre, in a bid to develop the region’s farm productivity and sustainability.
Elizabeth Suhr, Beechworth
CWA Beechworth member who is running a cooking program aimed at teaching young people on the verge of leaving home vital kitchen and budgeting tips.
Anna Tozer, Tallarook
Young up-and-coming wool classer, continuing the family trade as she learns from her father.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Carissa Bellottie, Geraldton
First Indigenous president of the Geraldton Football Club and a huge driver of women’s football in the Great Northern Football League, with years’ experience serving on football club boards over the past 13 years.
Kate Box, Northampton
Local footy photographer who has made 15,000 player cards for the region’s kids to swap and share, and an active advocate for growing sporting opportunities in the town.
Elyssa Giedraitis, Wongan Hills
Started the Wellness in the Wheatbelt campaign to spark conversations about mental health and wellbeing among the Wheatbelt region’s farming community.
Michelle Moriarty, Roelands
Founder of GriefConnect, which provides support and resources for rural and regional people in grieving, an idea she launched following the sudden death of her husband.
Jade Williams, Badgingarra
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.
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