RIRDC Rural Women's Award Background

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Entry Form
Selection Criteria & How to Enter
Award Background

For further information contact:
Edwina Clowes,
RIRDC Rural Women's Award National Coordinator.
Mobile: 0417 727 544
clowesedwina@bigpond.com

What is the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award?

The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s pre-eminent Award for rural women. The Award identifies and supports emerging leaders and change agents who have the capability and resources to drive innovation, productivity and sustainability within primary industries, and build economic and social development within rural communities.

The Award acknowledges that women offer a unique approach to leadership, which involves connecting and collaborating to effect change and influence, often without the need for position or authority. The Award also encourages primary industries and rural communities to embrace diversity in leadership to successfully navigate future challenges.

The Award supports women with demonstrated leadership capabilities who have the desire and commitment to make a greater contribution to their industries and communities. It provides women with financial and professional support to implement their visions for primary industries and enhance their leadership capabilities.

Each State and Territory winner will receive a $10,000 financial bursary to implement their Award vision. Each State and Territory winner and runner-up will have the opportunity to participate in the AICD Company Directors Course and will be supported to develop an individual integrated leadership plan.

The Award is an amazing opportunity to further your leadership development, make a tangible difference and inspire others. The Award is a life changing experience that will link recipients with a positive and powerful alumni network of like-minded women across the country who are passionate about primary industries and rural Australia.

Who can enter?

The Award is open to all women involved in primary industries and natural resource management. No formal qualifications are required. Don’t be shy about entering yourself or nominating someone. It is a great learning and development opportunity, so why not give it a go?

You can complete your application online by going to the RWA 2012 Online Application form

What is the bursary?

The $10,000 bursary is the major prize for each State and Territory winner to provide the resources to develop your vision into a project or initiative that will benefit primary industries and rural Australia.

The Award is a leadership and capacity building initiative, with a bursary to support your professional development and contribution to primary industries.

The bursary can be used for formal training in leadership and business management; overseas study tours; establishing business plans or pilot programs; developing educational or promotional campaigns; networking at forums and conferences to grow your knowledge of industries and markets; developing training programs; testing information technology initiatives and publishing books.

The bursary cannot be used for buying capital equipment (without the explicit approval from RIRDC) or further education such as a Masters or Doctorate degree.

Visit www.ruralwomensaward.gov.au to find out more about how to enter the Award, meet some amazing past Award recipients and read about their journeys.

What is the AICD Company Directors Course?

The Company Directors Course is a comprehensive and credible learning program relevant to board directors and business entrepreneurs.

The course provides a thorough knowledge of the role and duties of being a board member, and knowledge of organisational performance, strategy development, risk management and financial performance, which are all critical to operating any business enterprise.

What is the individual integrated leadership plan?

The plan will provide 12 months of facilitated individual strategic support for each Award winner and runner-up to enhance their leadership development, the implementation of their Award vision, along with networking, media and public relations opportunities.

How do I enter or nominate someone?

You need to complete the official entry form, addressing each of the selection criteria and include the name and details of TWO REFEREES. Referees will only be contacted if your application makes it to the final round. Email, post or fax your entry to your State or Territory contact.

You can complete your application online by going to the RWA 2012 Online Application form.

If you have any queries or questions please contact Edwina Clowes - Award National Coordinator on 0417 727 544; or email her at clowesedwina@bigpond.com; or your relevant State or Territory Coordinator listed on the back of this brochure.

What is the process from here?

Nominations open on 1st August 2011 and close on World Rural Women’s Day—15th October 2011
Applicants will be short-listed and interviewed in each state and territory.
Successful applicants will be announced at formal state presentation events
Award winners AND runners-up will be invited to attend the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course in Canberra.
State and territory winners will be interviewed by a national selection panel for the title of the Australian RIRDC Rural Women’s Award 2011 winner and runner-up who will be announced at the Award’s national celebratory dinner in Canberra during the week of the Company Directors Course.

What is RIRDC?

The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation is an Australian Government Statutory Authority. Our mission is to maximise knowledge outcomes for industry and government from our R&D investments.

The Rural Women’s Award is a RIRDC initiative in partnership with relevant State and Territory agencies who manage the Award at a State and Territory level. The Award’s national partner is the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. National sponsors are Westpac Banking Corporation, ABC Radio and Rural Press Ltd.

Your responsibilities to RIRDC

State and Territory Award winners will need to sign a contract with RIRDC and at the conclusion of their Award tenure will need to submit a published report on their Award activities and achievements and how the bursary was used. RIRDC will seek reimbursement of the bursary if the report is not submitted.

State and Territory RIRDC Rural Women’s Award 2012 winners and runners-up can expect to be interviewed by the media and where practical attend and speak at relevant public functions.

The National winner and runner-up will each be given an additional $10,000 bursary to assist in meeting national commitments such as speaking engagements. RIRDC and relevant State/Territory agencies reserve ‘non exclusive’ rights to publish any material generated from successful applicants’ involvement in the Award.

For further information contact Edwina Clowes, RIRDC Rural Women's Award National Coordinator. Phone: 0417 727 544.
Email: clowesedwina@bigpond.com