Due to COVID-19, the national Rural Women's Award ceremony was postponed last year. Instead, the 2020 National Winner was announced this week in Perth at a special ceremony offering live coverage of the proceedings via video links.
Cara Peek, a proud Yawuru/Bunuba woman, was recognised for her dedication to fostering access and opportunity for rural and remote communities.
Adding to the $10,000 already awarded to each state and territory finalist, Peek will receive an additional $10,000 from Westpac to further progress Saltwater Country, an indigenous-led, not-for-profit that uses rodeo sports and country music events to re-engage at-risk indigenous youth with their rich pastoral history.
Saltwater Country currently develops and oversees several evidence-based programs delivered with cultural integrity, allowing students to train in the safety of their own communities across the disciplines of horsemanship, equine therapy, agribusiness, marketing and event management.
"The collective success of our people in delivering events and programs is empowering in the social, emotional and economic development and advancement of Indigenous people in the north. It provides real time experience and solutions, it's a place for our people to shine. It's also an opportunity for training and development with transferable skills," Peek said.
"Winning the Award is great recognition of the work that we've undertaken, and I hope that it will generate the network and support that we need to achieve all the things we aim to achieve. If I can create opportunities for others out of that and play a part in the collective strength of our people, that's what I'm going to do every day," she said.
John Harvey, AgriFutures Australia managing director, congratulated Peek on winning the Award and said she demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and a passion for bettering the lives of others.
"Cara's work is a clear conduit to a future, built sustainably for rural and remote Indigenous people, by Indigenous people. She has continued to operate in the toughest times, whilst having real impact, and has been central to driving hope and lasting change within the Kimberly," Harvey said.
Cressida Cains, artisan cheesemaker and a passionate dairy industry advocate was announced as the National Runner Up. Cains took home a further $5000 Westpac bursary for Dairy Cocoon, a not-for-profit digital platform designed to assist small-scale farmers.
Harvey congratulated Cains for her desire to give back to the dairy industry and her passion for supporting farmers to adapt and grow their business.
"The AgriFutures Rural Women's Award helps to elevate the accomplishments of women such as Cara and Cressida by offering them access to influential industry advocates and a credible program," Harvey said.
Peek and Cains were joined by their fellow national finalists, who were recognised for their outstanding contribution to rural communities and industries. The 2020 cohort includes:
- Rural mental health advocate, Kelly Barnes (Dunkeld, Victoria)
- Horticultural expert, Karen Brocks (Winkleigh, Tasmania)
- Businesswomen and livestock marketer, Elisha Parker (Clermont, Queensland)
- Rural psychologist, Stephanie Schmidt (Burra, South Australia)
- Marine biologist and sustainable aquaculture advocate, Amy Kirke (Darwin, Northern Territory)
