Local Women Win Three Awards

20151103 Kumbia Cup Day Races — FLASHBACK: QRRRWN Barambah branch members Gloria Kirkness, Kayleen Freeman, Claire Kapernick and Mandy Bishop at last year’s Melbourne Cup Day races in Kumbia; Kayleen has now won the QRRRWN’s 2016 Professional Woman Of The Year Award

October 13, 2016

South Burnett women from Nanango and Kingaroy have won three of this year’s ten Queensland Rural Regional and Remote Women’s Network (QRRRWN) Strong Women Leadership Awards.

The annual awards were presented at a gala dinner held at the QRRRWN’s State Conference in Roma on Friday, October 7.

This year, 52 nominations were received from a wide range of women across Queensland.

“The primary aim of the Awards program is to encourage rural women to identify and celebrate the strengths they contribute to their communities through their participation in professional, business, community sector or volunteer activities,” president Alison Mobbs said.

The awards were sponsored by QRRRWN partners and sponsors, with special support from Panda Pearls and the Department of Communities.

Anne Leah (State Member for Warrego), Ros Bates (Member for Mudgeeraba and Shadow Minister for Communities), Amanda Stein (Panda Pearls, Nundah), Peta Ward (Westpac Agribusiness) and Carmen Roberts (Compass West, Roma) assisted in the awards presentations.

Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington. a long-time member and supporter of QRRRWN, was unable to attend the presentation dinner but passed on her best wishes to all the nominees.

QRRRWN board member Fiona O’Sullivan, who coordinated the awards program, spoke highly of all nominees and lead the presentation evening.

All of the recipients were delighted to receive their awards.

This year’s winners were:

QRRRWN Woman of the Year was won by Kristy Sparrow from Alpha for her dedication to improving internet connectivity across Australia. Kristy is the co-founder of BIRRR (Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia). Kristy has established valuable connections with service providers, government and industry groups and is a finalist in the 2016 Queensland Regional Achievement and Community Awards – Innovation and Leadership. Emily Martin from St George was the runner up.

QRRRWN Small Business of the Year was won by Julie Brown from Longreach, for her drive, vision and persistence in creating a successful small business, Coola Cozzie, from her property in Longreach. Sandy McLean from Rockhampton was the runner up.

Professional Woman of the Year was won by Kayleen Freeman, a senior teacher at Nanango State High School, for her dedication and drive in supporting young women in her area to excel. Lisa Hutchinson, from Bowen, was the runner up.

QRRRWN Leadership Award was won by Jane Williams from Barcaldine. Jane is dedicated to improving health care services to rural, regional and remote communities. Lorraine Crothers of Dirranbandi was the runner up.

QRRRWN Volunteer of the Year was won by Danielle Butler, Blackall, for her dedication in coordinating the Blackall Heartland Festival. Danielle was adamant that she was one of many and accepted the award on behalf of others in the community. Leanne Kruss, from Dimbulah, was the runner up.

QRRRWN Story Teller of the Year was won by Alyssa Venning and Amanda-Lyn Pearson, better known as The Crack up sisters, from Winton. The Crack-up Sisters comedy shows promote women getting in and giving it a go, and they tour their act around Australia to remind everyone to not take life to seriously. Ainsley McArthur, from Mystery Park, St Lawrence was the runner up.

The Inspirational Woman Award was won by Dianne French of Toowoomba. Dianne supports younger women becoming involved in business, particularly Nutrimetics, where she has excelled. Joy Denton from Injune was the runner up.

QRRRWN Young Woman with Vision was won by Carmen Sowden of Kingaroy for her drive to excel in the beef industry. Robyn Sawtell from Nanango was the runner up.

QRRRWN Young Woman with a Plan was won by Jessica McNamara from Nanango. Jessica believes that location is not a barrier if your vision is clear and strong, and her main aspiration is to make a difference by educating future generations. Runner up was Jamie Lee Barron, also from Nanango.

Young RRR Woman of the Year was won by Jessica Kerr, who now resides in Brisbane. Jessica is the secretary for the Queensland Shows Next Generation committee, and is working hard to ensure both herself and Next Generation keeps growing connections with organisations throughout Queensland to help develop relationships between city and country. ABC journalist Andrea Crothers, from Longreach, was the runner up.

The QRRRWN Board also gave a special Rising Star Award to Jane White from Jane White Design and Print in Charleville, who has created a successful small business there. The judges said they were impressed with Jane’s story and application.

Mother and daughter team Loraine and Andrea Crothers were both runners up for separate awards for their ongoing support to rural, regional and remote communities.