Member for Orange Andrew Gee today congratulated Sophie Hansen of Orange who has been named as a finalist in the 2016 NSW-ACT Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award.
“I am pleased to announce that Sophie Hansen from Orange has been recognised for her dedication to improving our primary industries and rural communities, and named as a finalist in this year’s Rural Women’s Award,” Mr Gee said. “Each applicant submitted a project initiative as part of the award, aiming to drive regional communities and primary industries’ growth and prosperity.
“Sophie’s project, ‘My Open Kitchen’, aims to provide a self-paced, online, social media learning course for Australian farmers and farming communities. “The project will allow farmers and farming
communities to take advantage of free social media channels, and tell their stories, promote their produce and make new and valuable connections.”
Mr Gee said the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award identifies and supports emerging women leaders who have the desire, commitment and leadership potential to make a greater contribution to our local area. “I congratulate Sophie for being recognised as an advocate for change and a role model in our local community,” Mr Gee added.
The winner will be announced in March at Parliament House in Sydney, and will receive a bursary of $10,000 and participate in an Australian Institute of Company Directors’ course. The award provides financial assistance, mentoring, resources and peer support via a nation-wide network of dynamic business and community leaders through the award alumni.
Sophie said, “this whole process has been a huge learning curve, and I have met a lot of people on the journey. In the beginning, some ten years ago I had to teach myself, and if I win I will be able to take this knowledge, plus bring in some tutors in other areas which will add to My Open Kitchen.”
“It will enable local farmers to showcase their product to the world and connect on a global basis – it is meant to be very visual and lots of fun”.