WA’s five rural women of the year finalists confirmed

Five women from regional WA have been announced as the State’s finalists to to vie for a national award acknowledging the critical role women play in rural Australia.

The Blue Tree Project founder Kendall Whyte and Kalannie Community Resource Centre co-manager Jo Ashworth are among the WA finalists for the 2020 WA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

Farmsmart designer Lucy Anderton, of Albany, has also been confirmed alongside innovative insect farmer Lauren Bell, of Broome, and Saltwater County founder Cara Peek, also of Broome.

Regional women spearheading or involved in ground-breaking projects benefiting their community or industry are being urged to nominate for the 2020 WA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.

The winner, to be announced on April 8, will be awarded $10,000 to progress their project, receive access to professional development and networking and also represent WA at the national final.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development director general Ralph Addis congratulated the five WA finalists.

“These finalists have very diverse expertise and interests,” he said.

“But what they have in common is they are innovators, collaborators and leaders in their fields and excellent ambassadors for Western Australia’s regional communities.”

Esperance grain and sheep farmer Belinda Lay won last year’s WA AgriFutures rural women’s award for her work using specially designed collars to monitor the health of sheep.