October 6, 2016
Four young South Burnett women have been selected as finalists in this year’s annual Strong Women Leadership Awards.
The Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network (QRRRWN) announced the finalists for 2016’s ten award categories on Wednesday.
Twenty-one finalists have been chosen after a State-wide selection process.
Carmel Sowden from Kingaroy and Robyn Sawtell from Nanango are both finalists for this year’s Young Woman With A Vision award (under 16 years); and Nanango’s Jessica McNamara and Jamie Lee Barron will compete for the 2016 Young Woman With A Plan award (16-19 years).
In addition, Kingaroy’s Kayleen Freeman has been selected as a finalist for the Professional Woman of the Year, a senior award.
The winners in each category will be announced at the 2016 QRRRWN Conference Gala Dinner at Explorer’s Inn in Roma on Friday, October 7.
“The primary aim of the Awards program is to encourage women to identify and celebrate the strengths they contribute to their communities through participation in professional, business, community sector or volunteer activities,” QRRRWN President Alison Mobbs said.
“This recognition encourages other women to step up to the challenges of leadership and realise the value and importance of celebrating what we do as women in rural areas, sometimes in very trying circumstances.
“It is a way of lifting women up to see that what they are contributing is important and that their story is worth sharing because it not only benefits them, but impacts others as well.”
Ms Mobbs said many women were inspired by the role models that women who participated in the awards became.
“QRRRWN has provided a series of professional development webinars to all entrants in the program as part of our ‘strong women, strong communities’ philosophy,” Alison said.
“Long term partner Amanda Stein from Panda Pearls and State Members Ann Leahy and Ros Bates will be on hand to present trophies and prizes to the winners on the night.”
This year the Queensland Government’s Department of Communities are sponsoring three new youth award categories.
“This is terrific recognition for the amazing young leaders emerging from rural, regional and remote areas,” Alison said.
2016 finalists in each category are:
- QRRRWN Woman of the Year: Kristy Sparrow (Alpha) and Emily Martin (St George)
- QRRRWN Small Business of the Year: Julie Brown (Longreach) and Sandy McLean (Rockhampton)
- Professional Woman of the Year: Kayleen Freeman (Nanango) and Lisa Hutchinson (Bowen)
- QRRRWN Leadership Award: Jane Williams (Barcaldine) and Lorraine Crothers (Dirranbandi)
- QRRRWN Volunteer of the Year: Danielle Butler (Blackall) and Leanne Kruss (Dimbulah)
- QRRRN Story Teller of the Year: Alyssa Venning & Amanda-Lyn Pearson (Winton) and Ainsley McArthur (St Lawrence)
- Inspirational Woman of the Year: Dianne French (Toowoomba) and Joy Denton (Injune)
- QRRRWN Young Woman with Vision: Carmel Sowden (Kingaroy) and Robyn Sawtell (Nanango)
- QRRRWN Young Woman with a Plan: Jessica McNamara and Jamie Lee Barron (both from Nanango)
- Young RRR Woman of the Year: Jessica Kerr (Brisbane), Andrea Crothers (Longreach) and Jane White (Charleville)
More information about the awards can be found on the QRRRWN website.
