It recognises the voluntary role dairy farming women play in leading their communities, sharing their time and skills beyond the boundaries of the farm gate. The winner receives a $2500 scholarship from Milk Bar, the specialists in calf rearing equipment, to attend a leadership programme of their choice within New Zealand.
DWN trust board chair Michelle Wilson says nominations are welcome from rural community members, employers, employees or partners, however nominees are required to be members of the DWN.
Last year’s winners were Sue Forsyth from Te Awamutu and Sharron Davie-Martin from Culverden. Davie-Martin is using her scholarship to attend the Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme in 2015.
Among other activities, Davie-Martin was nominated for her commitment to the DWN and her role as chairwoman of the local Rural Women’s Dinner Group, which she still holds today.
She is passionate about helping immigrant dairy farm workers settle into the North Canterbury community, and has developed a welcome pack. Her voluntary work has been recognised and used by the New Zealand Immigration Department.
Davie-Martin says receiving the community leadership award last year was an inspiration. She is now close to completing the Taratahi Generate Leadership programme and recently won another scholarship to attend the Rural Women’s Growing Dynamic Leaders course in Wellington.
“Dairy farming has served our family well and we think it’s important to give back to our community,” says Davie-Martin.
Wilson says DWN has been acknowledging community leadership since 2007. Until 2011, the award was known as Celebrate You.
Milk Bar’s sales and marketing manager Anna McIntyre says the company is thrilled to be able to give back to rural women and their communities. “The role of women in farming is so important. They juggle managing their businesses, working on the farm and raising families.”
Nominations for the award must be made on the official form from www.dwn.co.nz or phone 0800 396 748. Nominations close at 5pm, March 1. The winner will be announced at the DWN annual conference on March 19 in Hamilton.
