Two women honoured for strengthening rural Australia

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 20:24 · Archive

A farmer and academic have each won a $50,000 fellowship for work strengthening rural communities in Australia.

Nicole Chiesa founded Link 2 Country after recognising that agriculture was struggling to attract the next generation of workers. The program works with schools to give students hands-on farming experience, from putting harnesses on horses to operating harvesters. Chiesa, who is married to a sugar cane farmer in Ingham, Queensland, said the venture had reached about 1000 students in a little more than a year.

Erin Smith, an academic based in Victoria, has also been awarded the fellowship to expand an online training module that helps rural paramedic and nursing students practise disaster response.

Both women have received the Tim Fischer Fellowship from the Country Education Foundation, named in honour of the former deputy prime minister. The fellowship recognises people driving change through education across rural Australia. In its second year, the field of candidates was strong enough that two women received the honour, each winning $50,000.

How it is being reported

• 'A calling': women's work strengthens rural AustraliaA farmer finding the sector's next generation and an academic training rural first responders have been honoured for work to make country communities stronger.The West Australian · 11 Oct, 20:01
• 'A calling': women's work strengthens rural AustraliaA farmer finding the sector's next generation and an academic training rural first responders have been honoured for work to make country communities stronger.Perth Now · 11 Oct, 20:01

In this story: Nicole Chiesa · Erin Smith · Link 2 Country · Country Education Foundation · Queensland · Victoria

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem