From remote op shops to regional health - rural women honoured

Northern Territory visionary and Indigenous affairs advocate Tanya Egerton has been named the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award national winner, with the ACT’s Rebecca Keeley honoured as a national finalist.

Ms Egerton, founder and CEO of Circulanation and the Remote OpShop Project, was recognised for her work in empowering the entrepreneurial aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across remote Australia.

Victorian paediatric critical care nurse Grace Larson was named runner-up for her work in addressing the health disadvantages faced by rural children through The Sisterhood Project.

Canberra’s Rebecca Keeley, an allied health professional and founder of Yarn in Canberra, was also honoured as a national finalist.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins announced the winners at Parliament House in front of more than 500 guests, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Accepting the award, Ms Egerton, from Katherine in the Northern Territory, described it as “a significant honour”.

“I am deeply appreciative of AgriFutures and Westpac for their belief in my mission to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” she said.

“This award is a game-changer for us and will significantly enhance what we can achieve in the next 12 months.”

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award recognises and supports the vital role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities.

A $15,000 Westpac grant was awarded to the seven state and territory winners, with an additional $20,000 and $15,000, respectively, to the winner and runner-up.

Ms Egerton created the Remote Opshop Project, a network of op shops across remote First Nations communities in the Top End.

“With the additional $20,000 Westpac grant, we can develop a First Nations Leadership Council and establish a robust governance framework for the Remote Opshop Project,” she said.

“Our goal is to ensure high-quality, affordable essential goods are redirected from landfills and redistributed to remote communities, fostering empowerment and self-determination.”

Managing director of Agrifutures Australia John Harvey praised Ms Egerton for her outstanding contributions to Indigenous communities in remote Australia.

“Tanya Egerton’s exceptional work has brought about significant positive changes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” he said.

“Her innovative approach and dedication to transforming remote areas resonates deeply with the core values of the award.”

ACT finalist Rebecca Keeley was honoured for creating the digital health program Yarn, which tackles the obstacles of geographic isolation, challenging service delivery options and a growing waitlist for speech pathology services across the country.

Speaking after being named finalist of the state and territory awards, Ms Keeley described Yarn as “more than just a digital health platform – it is a movement towards a more equitable and accessible health-care system”.

“By using innovative technology to support the allied health clinical community and the patients they serve, we can create a future where geography is not a barrier to accessing high-quality health care.

“I am proud to be a part of this conversation and look forward to seeing the impact that Yarn can have on the lives of families across the country.”

Applications for the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award opened yesterday (21 August) and will close on Wednesday, 9 October. More information is available at AgriFutures.