2026 Tasmanian AgriFutures Rural Women's Award Winner Amy Vickers
| Congratulations to Amy Vickers for her program, Well Beyond Service who has won the 2026 Tasmanian AgriFutuers Rural Women's Award. Amy a 26 year military veteran founded the program dedicated to supporting women who served in Defence, emergency services, and volunteer emergency roles. Trained as an Aviation Technician and later an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer for the Australian Navy, Amy’s career and experiences have shaped her passion for helping others heal beyond their service roles.
Through five-day rural retreats in Tasmania, she creates peaceful spaces for reconnection, recovery, and community engagement. Her programs combine creative wellness activities such as equine interaction, art, yoga, and structured sessions to help participants embrace life beyond service-related illness or injury. Recognising the need for greater support for women after service, Amy brings an authentic and adaptable leadership style, driven by compassion and a commitment to building stronger, more connected communities. Her work empowers individuals to rediscover wellness, belonging, and a renewed quality of life. Amy will go on to represent Tasmanian at the National Finals held in Canberra on 8 September 2026.
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Tasmanian Women In Agriculture (TWiA) Bursary Winners.
Congratulations to Alyssia Kennedy and Laura-Jude Johnson OAM for winning the Tasmanian Women In AgriCulture runner up Leadership and Skills Development Bursaries.
| TWiA Encouragement Award Alyssia Kennedy - Founder of the Life After School program, an initiative dedicated to helping young people in rural and regional Tasmania successfully transition from education to adulthood. Alyssia saw a need in the community and created a program that delivers practical workshops on workplace readiness, financial literacy, and life skills, equipping participants with confidence and resilience. Alyssia works closely with schools, local organisations, and service providers to ensure young people have access to the knowledge and networks they need to thrive after they leave school and move into adulthood. She is committed to empower young people to strengthen communities and create pathways for meaningful opportunities across regional Australia.
Alyssia was also recently named 2026 TAS Young Australian of the Year and previously chosen as a 2025 ABC Trailblazer for her program, giving Alyssia the opportunity to present her ideas to policymakers in Canberra. Through her vision, drive, and dedication. Alyssia is equipping young people with the practical skills and confidence they need to not only navigate adulthood but truly thrive within it.
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TWiA Rural Women's Development Award
Laura-Jude Johnson OAM - Founder of THEIRS (Talk, Hear and Help, Educate, Inform, Refer and Support), a youth-led mental health and suicide prevention organisation based on Tasmania’s North-West Coast. Drawing on her lived experience and deep commitment to community, Laura works to create safe, empowering spaces where conversations spark change and young people feel seen and supported. Through state-wide events, school programs, and collaborations, she leads initiatives that build resilience, emotional literacy, and practical skills, ensuring no young person feels alone. Laura is one of the youngest ever to receive the Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to youth mental health, along with being named 2024 Haywire, trailblazer, finalist for young Tasmanian of the year and winner of the 2025 MAIB excellence in leadership award.
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Tasmanian Women In Agriculture (TWiA). From left to right: Sharon Symons, Jeanette Reader (Treasurer), Laura Johnson OAM, Alyssia Kennedy, Sue Hinton(Chair)
Apply for the 2027 Rural Women's Awards
Applications Open 9 September 2026
Applications Close - To be advised
If you would like some information about the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award, please email us at
farmpoint@nre.tas.gov.au
Not quite ready to apply? Stay in the loop by
expressing your interest in future programs.
How to apply?
Once applications re-open in September , head to the official AgriFturues Rural Women's Awards Webpage to apply online.
There you will find information on both the Rural Women's Award and the Acceleration Grant.
Once ready to apply please refer to the detailed
Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting an Application.
The AgriFutures Rural Women's Award has two categories:
- Rural Women's Award
- Acceleration Grant
The
AgriFutures Australia website provides important information about:
The Awards are open to all women involved in rural and emerging industries, rural and regional businesses, and rural and regional communities. Women must be over the age of 18 and must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. No formal qualifications are required.
You can also connect to AgriFutures Australia Facebook and connect to AgriFutures Twitter.
What is the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award?
The AgriFutures Rural Women's Award is Australia's leading Award in acknowledging and supporting the essential role women play in rural and emerging industries, businesses, and communities. It:
recognises, celebrates, and acknowledges exceptional women and their vital contribution
provides financial and practical support to implement award winners' visions
celebrates exceptional contribution to rural communities and industry
builds skills in industry and leadership
provides important recognition for the value of women in agriculture
Despite its name, the Award is primarily NOT about being the best rural woman - it is about identifying a learning opportunity that you believe will benefit you and your industry.
Fast Facts
Each state and territory winner receives a $15,000 Westpac grant for their project, business or program, access to professional development opportunities and alumni networks.
The National Winner and Runner Up receive an additional $20,000 and $15,000 respectively.
State and territory department representatives provide individuals with guidance and feedback throughout the application process.
Previous winners and finalists have the opportunity to join the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Alumni.
Each state/territory has a Chair and Committee which sit on the selection panel to work alongside applicants and provide support along the way. The committees also work collaboratively with the state and territory agencies and facilitate events for Alumni in their state.
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TASMANIA ONLY, second and third placed finalists receive a Tasmanian Women in Agriculture (TWIA) Leadership and Skills Development Bursary as follows:
TWiA Encouragement Award (Second Place) - $2,000
TWiA Rural Women's Development Award Finalist (Third Place) - $1,000
What is the Acceleration Grant?
The Acceleration Grant aims to provide Australian women with learning and development opportunities, upskilling them so they can bring their idea, cause, or vision to life.
It will run separately to the Rural Women's Award; however it will complement the process, aiming to provide a leadership and development opportunity to women who are not quite ready to apply for the Award.
Fast Facts
Seven x $7,000 Acceleration Grants for learning and development are awarded each year.
Applicants are required to have an idea, a cause, or a vision in its early stages.
The grants are awarded on merit, not per State/Territory.
Successful Acceleration Grant applicants can apply for the Rural Women's Award in the future.
