Hill, a project coordinator and facilitator, received the prestigious award on Monday at Western Australia's annual GRDC Grains Research Update, Perth, which is being held virtually.

The Seed of Light award is presented annually to a person making a major contribution to communicating the outcomes of grains research and development in WA.

Presenting the award, GRDC Western Region Panel chair, Darrin Lee, said Hill had a longstanding commitment to understanding the needs of WA grain growers and contributing to grains research, development and extension (RD&E).

"Julianne has over 30 years in the sector and has contributed more than a decade of work establishing and maintaining grower network groups across the state," Lee said.

"She is highly respected by growers and industry as an excellent facilitator, who has made a considerable contribution to grains research communication at a regional level," he said.

"Julianne was instrumental in establishing the GRDC Regional Cropping Solution Network, now the National Grower Network (NGN), which defines the key issues that are impacting grower and industry profitability.

"Over the past 11 years, Julianne has expertly and efficiently coordinated hundreds of forums, panels, meeting and events, reaching growers, agribusiness and researchers across WA's five port zones.

"More than that, she has forged meaningful, genuine, long-term connections with growers and is dedicated to helping them achieve the best on-farm outcomes," Lee said.

Hill described receiving the award as a totally unexpected pleasure, stating that while over the years she had been recognised for different awards, the Seed of Light award holds a special significance for her personally.

"The people who have been awarded this honour in the past I consider to be just fantastic in extension and communications and talking to growers, they really are the pinnacle in the industry," Hill said.

"To be recognised amongst this incredible group of people is such an honour," she said.

During her well-rounded career, Hill has worked for many public and private organisations, taking on roles in grains, dairy, beef and farming systems and biosecurity and farm management.

"She holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Business in Farm Management and an Associate Diploma in Agriculture," Lee said.

"She is Vice President of the Brunswick Agricultural Show and participates in several agricultural career expos, and only recently stepped down from the Harvey College of Agriculture's Agricultural Advisory Council. Throughout her working life she has been a champion for careers in the primary industries sector."

From 2007 to 2011 Hill coordinated Partners in Grain, which is now Rural Edge, a professional development and training organisation for WA farming businesses.

In 2011, Hill was awarded the contract to facilitate the role of Regional Cropping Solutions Network Coordinator for GRDC in the Western Region, which became the National Grower Network in 2021.