Children’s nurse wins Rural Women’s Award

A dedicated children’s nurse in central Victoria has been awarded the 2024 Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

A dedicated children’s nurse with more than 17 years of experience has been named the winner of the 2024 Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

Grace Larson, who lives in Mia Mia in central Victoria, has worked extensively in addressing health disadvantages for children in rural communities, and delivered the non-profit initiative The Sisterhood Project with her sister Skye.

“(The initiative) aims to break down barriers hindering parents and caregivers from accessing vital training when it comes to illness recognition, accident prevention and basic first aid,” Ms Larson said.

Westpac’s Mandy Hehir, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Agriculture Michaela Settle, Grace Larson and AgriFutures’ Sheridan Ingold. Picture: Supplied

The initiative was born after Ms Larson began teaching advanced resuscitation skills in the community, and noticed that only those with means were able to access specialised baby and child first aid courses.

Knowing how important these courses are for outcomes in children, Ms Larson wanted to the end this disparity.

“I’m so thrilled to receive this award, so that I can continue to deliver on my vision that everyone should have access to the best healthcare no matter where they live,” she said.

The award acknowledges the critical role women play in rural and regional businesses and communities, and Ms Larson will receive a $15,000 grant from Westpac to go towards the development of The Sisterhood Project, as well as an opportunity to further her growth with a personal development course of her choosing.

Ms Larson will represent Victoria later in the year at the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner in Canberra, where the national winner will be awarded an additional $20,000 Westpac grant.