As the Victorian state winner of the 2013 Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award, PhD student, Michelle Freeman will be heading to Canberra for the announcement of the national award. Source: Timberbiz
The announcement will be made in front of industry leaders, politicians and special guests at the national award dinner at Parliament House on 16 October, 2013.
As the pre-eminent award for rural women in Australia, it identifies and supports emerging leaders who have the capability and resources to drive innovation, productivity and sustainability within primary industries and rural communities.
Freeman is passionate about forest management and her ambition is to engage more women and youth in forestry and prepare them to step forward as the next generation of forest management leaders.
She has recently moved on from her position as harvesting forester for VicForests to commence a PhD in forest ecology in Melbourne.
Winning the 2013 Victorian Rural Women’s Award and $10,000 bursary prize earlier this year has given Freeman a platform to develop her own leadership skills.
She is also planning to run capacity-building workshops and engagement activities targeting youth and women in key forestry locations around Australia.
“Continuous improvement of my leadership skills will be the key to my success in contributing meaningfully to the support of others and the empowerment of youth and women within the industry,” she said.
“I would like to identify and mentor at least two people from each state and encourage them to apply for leadership positions within their local area.
“Currently the forestry sector across Australia is under immense pressure from the conservation movement and many people are feeling the strain. My vision is of an industry that has rallied together to look to a brighter future with more certainty and less misinformation in the public sphere.”
RIRDC Managing Director, Craig Burns said it is this passion and positive vision for the future of Australian forestry that makes Freeman a great example of what the award is all about.
“As a finalist of this award Michelle exemplifies the unique leadership traits of passionate rural Australian women.
“We commend the remarkable contribution she is making to the forestry industry in empowering and leading the next generation of foresters,” Burns said.
“We look forward to celebrating Michelle’s achievements at the national award dinner later this month and watching her develop as a leader in the years to come.”
Applications for the 2014 Rural Industries R&D Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award are open. Rural women are encouraged to enter themselves or to nominate someone with a commitment and desire to making a real difference to their rural industry and community.
Applications close on 31 October 2013.
