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Ladies gather to celebrate WA Rural Women’s Awards

Headshot of Cally Dupe
Cally DupeCountryman
Bailiwick Legal owner Jessica Brunner and Farming Champions chair Nicola Kelliher.
Camera IconBailiwick Legal owner Jessica Brunner and Farming Champions chair Nicola Kelliher. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman

Women from far-flung corners of WA gathered at the State Theatre Centre of WA for a night of fun and festivities at this year’s WA Rural Women’s Awards, with Eaton’s Michelle Moriarty named the winner of the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

The March 16 event was a celebration of all things female, rural and regional, with a stunning setting upstairs

Speaking at the awards, WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis — a former winner — said she was incredibly proud of the three finalists, which included Kate Mitchell, of Narrikup, and Joy Sherlock, of Dongara.

The annual award provides a way to support and recognise women, showing regional women are attractive places to live and invest.

“I am excited about the projects put forward by the three finalists . . . they are three outstanding and inspiring women who demonstrate a high calibre of female leaders in WA,” Ms Jarvis said.

“The judges were impressed by your projects and the difference you are making in regional WA.”

A social worker of 17 years, Ms Moriarty’s life changed suddenly when her partner Nathan died in 2018.

“At that time, every single aspect of my life changed . . . despite having a lot of family, friends and community support, I still felt very isolated in my grief,” she said.

“I realised I needed to connect with other people who had been through something similar to me.

“It is about the connection, to know there are other people going through the same thing and surviving.”

Ms Mitchell is creating first aid programs and resources relevant to country life, teaching young people to be confident and to administer first aid.

Ms Sherlock hopes to boost understanding of soil nutrient balance and associated factors on farmers’ properties and how this impacts on the uptake of nutrients by crops or pasture.

Ms Moriarty will receive a $15,000 business development bursary to broaden her business in collaboration with local government and community groups, and will represent WA at the national AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

Applications for next year’s award open in September.

AgriFutures Rural Women's Award winner Michelle Moriarty.
Camera IconAgriFutures Rural Women's Award winner Michelle Moriarty. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman
Josie Richardson, of Perth, finalist Kate Mitchell, of Narrikup,  and Christina Davini, of Perth.
Camera IconJosie Richardson, of Perth, finalist Kate Mitchell, of Narrikup, and Christina Davini, of Perth. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman
NBN Co executive manager Elise Petty and NCN Co regional affairs head Naomi Evans.
Camera IconNBN Co executive manager Elise Petty and NCN Co regional affairs head Naomi Evans. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman
Outback Beef team member Aimee Ray,  Institute of Regenerative Leadership co-director Barb Howard, and Mulloon Institute chief executive Carolyn Hall.
Camera IconOutback Beef team member Aimee Ray, Institute of Regenerative Leadership co-director Barb Howard, and Mulloon Institute chief executive Carolyn Hall. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman
Warren Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie and finalist Kate Mitchell, of Narrikup.
Camera IconWarren Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie and finalist Kate Mitchell, of Narrikup. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman
WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis, RRR Network member Philippa Maughan, CBH corporate affairs head Rebecca Lawson, and 2019 Rural Women's Award Winner Belinda Lay.
Camera IconWA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis, RRR Network member Philippa Maughan, CBH corporate affairs head Rebecca Lawson, and 2019 Rural Women's Award Winner Belinda Lay. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman
Department of Education agricultural education director Sally Panizza, Avon Valley Nissan and Mitusbishi operations cooridnator Jorden Mills, and Mind Your Own Money owner Enrika Grogan.
Camera IconDepartment of Education agricultural education director Sally Panizza, Avon Valley Nissan and Mitusbishi operations cooridnator Jorden Mills, and Mind Your Own Money owner Enrika Grogan. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman
RRR Network board members Ellen Smith and Sarah Woolford.
Camera IconRRR Network board members Ellen Smith and Sarah Woolford. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman
Fempire found Marnie LeFerve and Shire of Moora president Tracy Lefroy.
Camera IconFempire found Marnie LeFerve and Shire of Moora president Tracy Lefroy. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman
Shire of Moora president Tracy Lefroy, AgriFutures board member Bill Ryan, RRR Network chief executive Kendall Galbraith, and CBH community investment fund manager Cassidy Bennett.
Camera IconShire of Moora president Tracy Lefroy, AgriFutures board member Bill Ryan, RRR Network chief executive Kendall Galbraith, and CBH community investment fund manager Cassidy Bennett. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman
Bailiwick Legal owner Jessica Brunner and Farming Champions chair Nicola Kelliher.
Camera IconBailiwick Legal owner Jessica Brunner and Farming Champions chair Nicola Kelliher. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman
AgriFutures Rural Women's Award finalist Kate Mitchell with her father Mark Douthie.
Camera IconAgriFutures Rural Women's Award finalist Kate Mitchell with her father Mark Douthie. Credit: Cally Dupe/Countryman

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