Deliverance
OPINION: Rural services such as banks, health and postal services have been declining for years, so this mutt was tickled pink to hear Rural Women NZ on national TV slamming the impact of post office closures in rural areas.
The awards aim to give women who run their own rural businesses the opportunity to boost their profiles and gain recognition for their achievements.
“This year is very special as we have a lot of interest in the awards and we’re already fielding enquiries from women keen to enter,” says Rural Women NZ national president, Wendy McGowan.
Last year’s supreme winners, Keri Johnston and Haidee McCabe from Irricon Resource Solutions have come on board as sponsors. They are enthusiastic about the awards and want to encourage other women in rural businesses to have an opportunity to get the benefits that their business has gained since winning in 2014.
To enter the awards, women have to own and operate a small business with less than 10 full time equivalent staff, based in a rural area. The business must have been running for at least two years. If in partnership, women must be an active partner of 50% or more in the business.
There are four award categories in 2015:
Love of the Land – for land based businesses.
Help! I need somebody – for businesses providing any type of service, from retailers to agricultural contractors.
Making it in Rural – for businesses that involve manufacturing or creativity.
Stay, Play Rural – for businesses engaged in rural tourism or hospitality.
Each category winner will receive $1,000 in prize money and a trophy, with a further $1,000 going to the supreme winner.
Entries close Friday 18 September. The awards will be presented at the Rural Women NZ national conference in Nelson on Saturday 21 November.
