GRAZIHER PODCASTS

Nikki Davey is the 2023 National Winner of the Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award. This award celebrates and acknowledges the critical role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities and inspires the next generation.

Nikki is a co-founder of ‘Grown Not Flown’, a digital platform that supports the slow flower movement by connecting flower consumers with local and sustainable producers.

The National Winner and Runner Up of the award was announced at a Gala Dinner at Parliament House in Canberra; a night where some of the most inspirational, courageous, innovative and hardworking women in the business, come together to celebrate all that the agricultural industry has to offer.

Applications for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award are now open and will close on Wednesday, 25 October 2023 (Friday, 26 January 2024 for NT Applicants). See the AgriFutures website for more details.

Melissa Duniam is striving to ensure Australian workplaces are healthier and more productive through her design of facilitated equine workshops. The Tasmanian winner of the 2023 Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award was shocked by statistics released by Australian mental health support organisation, Beyond Blue that say one in five Australians have taken time off work for anxiety, depression and mental health challenges – while an astonishing 46 per cent consider their work place to be mentally unhealthy.

Melissa is a dairy farmer, business consultant and an Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator – helping companies and their employees communicate better whilst learning to work alongside horses through her business, Leading Rein.

It’s a passion that Melissa never knew could be a career – and was sparked by a transformative crossroads moment in 2016, after suffering a devastating farm accident.

Emma-Louise Gibbons is on a mission to reshape Australia’s pet treat market, with her use of insect protein and local Queensland veggies in her treat business, Huds & Toke. And while she’s at it, she’s going to take on the US pet food market too — worth an estimated $57 billion.

Born and raised on a beef cattle and cropping property, the winner of the 2023 Queensland AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award says growing up in the bush meant she learned to innovate early.

Ali Paulett speaks like her brain works – at a million miles a minute. The South Australian has a plethora of different degrees and diplomas that has seen her work as a horse-riding instructor, a vet nurse, a medical receptionist, a qualified draftswoman and designer, a wine marketer and now a manager at her family’s Clare Valley winery – Paulett’s Wines.

The winner of the 2023 South Australian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is working alongside local First Nations elders to preserve their history by using beautiful videography storytelling, which will be displayed throughout the bush tucker garden Ali has built next to the family’s cellar door.

The language around grief can be a conundrum- what to say, how to say it, when to say it? But Michelle Moriarty, the Western Australian winner of the AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year has dedicated herself to breaking down the barriers.

Unfortunately, it took the sudden death of her partner Nathan to spark the project, but it has blossomed into multifaceted widow support networks and resources.

At the forefront of her business, the accredited social worker has tailored her Grief Connect Program and also her Grief Language Project into a national service that supports individuals personally.

Michelle Leonard believes everyone can sing. A self-proclaimed ‘relentless optimist’, the founder of Moorambilla Voices and New South Wales finalist for the AgriFutures Australia Rural Woman’s Award is on a mission to electrify the arts in country Australia and bring music to all.

For the last 18 years, Michelle has left her home in Sydney for nearly six weeks, driving upwards of 4000 kilometres around New South Wales, across 21 Local Government areas to recruit for her various ensembles.

Of the thousands of kids that she coaxes music from, 350 are selected to learn to sing, play drums, to dance and read music – going on to perform throughout the year in venues like Dubbo’s Regional Theatre and Convention centre and this year, the Sydney Opera House.

Eileen Breen is a woman of values, and no matter what curve balls life throws at her, she manages to find success in line with them.

Demolition is an interesting industry to work in for someone whose DNA is laced with sustainability – but it’s the inroads she and husband, Gerry are making when it comes to resource recovery and recycling that truly floats the boat of this nature loving business strategist. As the Northern Territory finalist in the AgriFutures Rural Woman’s Award, Eileen wears many hats, but at the core of all her commitments is a belief she can make the world a better place.

Sophie’s story is a testament to the tenacity of the human spirit and stands as a poignant reminder that even in the face of formidable challenges, happiness can be found again.

A born and bred western Queensland girl, Sophie was working at The Blue Heeler Pub in Kynuna in her early twenties. It was here, that her life would change forever. This is a love story, entwined with tragedy, and a new beginning.

Samantha Armytage helped millions of Aussies wake up every day for eight years, as one of our most loved TV personalities and co-host of popular national breakfast show, Sunrise.

Known for her humour, her sharp journalistic sense and for being a down to earth straight shooter, Sam radiates this beautiful authenticity which can often be lost in the shine of TV land – something she puts down to her country roots and her connection to her family on the land.

Her 23 years in media has been extraordinary – covering historic moments like the Canberra Bushfires, Brisbane’s floods and the trials of the Bali 9 and Schapelle Corby in Bali. She’s reported from the East Timor conflict, the Cronulla riots and Christchurch Mosque massacre, as well as Michael Jackson’s funeral in LA, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in London and Meghan and Harry’s wedding in Windsor.

And then last year, in March 2021 she let the sun set on her Sunrise career – resigning from the top seat in TV to move to the Southern Highlands equine property she shares with her new husband, Richard Lavender.

If there’s anyone who understands the diversity of women who love the land, it’s today’s guest, Victoria Carey. V, as she’s known by those who work with her, has been in the media game for more than two decades, including 11 years as the editor in chief of Country Style, and is now at the editorial helm of Graziher Magazine.

Yet a life in journalism almost didn’t happen – with a teenage horse-mad Victoria so nearly signing up to work in a racing stable.

Emily Herbert interviewed V the day after she put the latest issue of Graziher to bed and the jubilation and satisfaction at seeing another gorgeous copy of the magazine on its way to the printers was obvious in her voice.

And what a magnificent segue to announce that the Spring issue of Graziher is now on sale! It’s an absolute corker of an edition to celebrate our bimonthly launch, with compelling stories of Australian women spanning the width and length of the country. In this issue, we really draw our attention to Women across the Ages – and the articles borne from it are stunning – from Stephanie Trethewey’s letter to her baby daughter Evie to the inspiring eighty-something matriarch still checking her Merinos every day.