Australian Government Media release - 28 May 2008
Avocado grower wins Australian Rural Women's Award
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke last night announced the winners of the 2008 Rural Women's Awards in a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.
Mr Burke congratulated the winner of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women's Award - Ros Smerdon from Queensland.
Ms Smerdon was recognised for her work in the avocado, macadamia and custard apple sectors and for her business enterprise skills as chair of a grower-operated cooperative.
The 2008 Rural Women's Awards runner-up was Maggie Edmonds, a leader in Western Australia's protea flower, passion fruit and olive industries.
"Both these women have shown great vision and dedication to their industries and communities," Mr Burke said.
"These awards recognise the often unsung heroes of rural and regional communities, who run innovative agri-businesses and contribute to Australia's economic growth.
"Past recipients of the rural women's award have developed export markets including export salmon to Japan, olive oil to China, tropical fruit wine to Singapore and Taiwan, yabbies to the US and wool and alpaca fibre to Europe.
"Others have expanded innovation in agriculture, including the first cultivation of marine worm tubes for the recreational bait industry, the first national mohair classing training course and the first best-practice handling manual for the Australian tuna industry.
"Women are also leading the way in working to address the challenges of climate change and a shrinking world through ensuring our rural businesses are adaptable."
Mr Burke also congratulated the other state and territory winners Jeanette Fisher (Tasmania), Norma Higgins (Northern Territory), Domenica Latorre (South Australia), Tracey Knowland (NSW) and Lisa Mahon (Victoria).
The RIRDC Rural Women's Awards recognise rural women's contributions to agriculture and rural Australia and encourage them to further strengthen their skills.
National partners in the award are the Australian Government's Office for Women, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Services and Local Government and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The 2008 Award's three major sponsors are The Australian Women's Weekly, Rural Press and ABC Radio.
Each of the seven state and territory winners and runners-up receives a bursary of $10,000 and entry to the Australian Institute of Company Directors' course.
