Three women have been named in the shortlist for the 2024 AgriFutures South Australian Rural Women's Award.
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These include a designer of luxury wedding gowns made from Merino wool, a mastermind behind a ground-breaking community-focused app and a devoted advocate for suicide prevention.
Flinders Ranges-based Nikki Atkinson from the Flinders Ranges, Suzi Evans, Mantung, and Susie Williams, Willunga, will go in the running to win a $15,000 Westpac grant to support an existing project, business, or program.
The winner will also receive professional development opportunities and access to alumni networks.
AgriFutures Australia workforce, communication and adoption general manager Belinda Allitt congratulated the three finalists, and welcomed them into the alumni.
"I'm impressed by the variety of innovative projects being delivered in South Australia," she said.
"Suzi, Nikki, and Susie are fantastic role models and deserve the acknowledgment that comes with being a state finalist for this award.
"They are great examples of women who have taken a passion, interest and a tragedy and turned it into impactful, meaningful, and positive projects for the benefit of communities and rural industries.
"Their work takes grit and determination, and these are key values of the AgriFutures Rural Women's Award."
Ms Atkinson designs sustainable wedding dresses and special occasion wear made from Merino wool under the Horrocks Vale Collections label.
She combines 25 years of experience as a wedding dress designer and a desire to champion Australian Merino wool as a new environmentally sustainable alternative to polyester.
Ms Evans dedicated herself to helping others following the tragic loss of her son Murray, known as Muzz, who took his own life in 2018.
She is a trusted mental health first aid trainer and the founder of resilience building program 'Workbench for the Mind', which aims to help participants understand how the brain works and develop tools to manage their emotions in positive ways.
Ms Williams combined her passion for fostering connections in rural communities with her technical prowess to develop the Fleurieu App - an online platform that provides local news for free, while also celebrates achievements, businesses, events and places that define the region.
The South Australian winner will be announced on March 26 and will represent the state at the national AgriFutures Rural Women's Award Gala Dinner in Canberra later in the year.
The national winner will be awarded an additional $20,000 Westpac grant and the national runner-up will receive a $15,000 grant.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven said the finalists were dedicated to rural communities with a devotion to making positive changes.
"The finalists' devotion and drive to make positive change is inspirational and they should be incredibly proud of their achievements," she said.
