Praise for regional women at leadership awards

None were more overwhelmed by the acknowledgement of their work than Ilfracombe grazier Julie Brown, who received the Small Business of the Year award for the creation of swimwear business Coola Cossies.

As reported by Queensland Country Life in February, Julie started her business as a result of the drought, a need for income and a belief in herself.

The award recognises a woman who through her hard work has built or maintained a small business that promotes a rural, regional and remote community and/or women, and Rockhampton artist Sandy McLean was also a finalist in the category.

Julie said she thought the idea of starting a swimwear business from the middle of the outback in a drought was ridiculous, but it worked.

“If I can do that, you can. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t,” she said.

Twenty-seven years an educator, Kayleen Freeman from Nanango received the Professional Woman of the Year award, recognising a woman who has influenced significant change to improve service to regional women and to improve their outcomes.

She said it was a great privilege to be an educator of future generations.

For the last six years she has coordinated a Girls’ Aspiration and Resilience program in her school, and in 2015 facilitated the attendance of a number of girls from the South Burnett area to attend the 2015 QRRRWN conference in Biloela.

She was nominated by two separate people for the award.

The work of Barcaldine’s Jane Williams in creating the Central West Rural Wellness Group, along with fellow health colleagues, to address a drought-induced mental health emergency, saw her receive the QRRRWN Leadership Award, recognising a person who has made a significant contribution to policy, programs or services with community or government organisations.

She was joined by finalist Lorraine Crothers of Dirranbandi.

Awards coordinator Fiona O’Sullivan said Jane had been involved in healthcare in western Queensland for 23 years, and in 2013 could see the need for coordination of multi-agency drought relief efforts, to dispel rumours, and provide a direct pathway referral for people who needed help in the areas of financial advice, health and wellbeing assistance, financial assistance with bill payment, paperwork for drought and household assistance, and education on mental health.

A grazier who has devoted a number of years to developing an arts and cultural festival at Blackall, Danielle Butler received the Volunteer of the Year award.

She sees the potential of arts tourism as a developing industry that not only provides a platform for artists but also an opportunity to celebrate the rich sheep and wool history of the area, and she hopes to continue to develop the Blackall Heartland Festival  as a destination event for visitors to the region to provide a much-needed flow-on economic benefit that supports business and local income.

It was Danielle’s second nomination for a QRRRWN volunteer award, and she was joined as a finalist by Leanne Kruss of Mareeba.

The Story Teller of the Year award went to Alyssa Venning and Amanda-Lyn Pearson, better known as the Crack-Up Sisters, of Winton.

The pair are comedic representations of all women from all walks of life, and they like to promote women getting in and giving it a go, especially the feats, failings and the reality of women on the land.

They said they were proud to promote rural and remote women through their storytelling and art, driving over 60,000 km a year to help keep positivity thriving among country women.

St Lawrence’s Ainsley McArthur was also a finalist in the category.

Toowoomba-based executive sales manager with Nutrimetics, Dianne French received the Inspirational Woman award for her ongoing support for younger women setting up as consultants, while the QRRRWN Encouragement award for a Rising Star went to Charleville’s Jane White for her design and print business.