Dairy Woman of the Year award offers $25,000 scholarship

18 January 2012

Dairy Woman of the Year award announced with $25,000 scholarship on offer

The Dairy Women’s Network has teamed up with Fonterra to offer New Zealand’s first, annual ‘Dairy Woman of the Year’ award.

The winner will be awarded a position on the prestigious Women in Leadership 12 month course run by Global Women, which is valued at $25,000. The scholarship is sponsored by Fonterra Milk Supply.

The Women in Leadership course begins in September 2012 and will give the recipient 12 months of exposure to globally focussed women in leadership roles across the business sector. The course features world-class presenters such as Dame Jenny Shipley.

Dairy Women’s Network CEO, Sarah Speight, says “the purpose of the award is to profile and celebrate women who are making a real difference in the dairy industry, in their dairying businesses and in their communities.”

Nominations are now open for the award and close on 24 February. The winner will be announced at a gala dinner at the Dairy Women’s Network annual conference on 21 March 2012 in Rotorua.

“This award will recognise a woman who is demonstrating exceptional leadership in the dairy industry. But, it’s not just about recognising one woman out of the thousands who are doing great things.

“Rather, it is our hope that the award encourages many more to get involved and make a difference in our industry, while also making a positive impact on-farm and in the lives of people in their rural communities,” explains Sarah.

“Fonterra is committed to supporting education in the dairy industry to drive the industry forward and protect our dairy future. Women play a huge role in our industry and we fully endorse the great work the Dairy Women’s Network is doing through the Women in Leadership course. Fonterra is very excited to be a partner of these prestigious awards,” says Steve Murphy, General Manager, Milk Supply, Fonterra.

A panel consisting of the Dairy Women’s Network chair, a representative of DairyNZ, a representative of Fonterra and a representative from Global Women will review nominations during the last week of February. Finalists will be contacted in early March for interviews.

Those putting a nominee forward for the Dairy Woman of the Year award must demonstrate she has:

• Made a significant contribution to the industry through her involvement at governance or senior management level within the industry, region or community.
• Influenced in the industry and community through this significant contribution.
• Promoted the dairy industry in a positive way through her actions.
• Been a positive role model for dairy women (and all women) everywhere.
• Contributed to the community and assisted others.
• Credibility and integrity.
• Made a commitment to being a lifelong learner.

Nomination forms can be downloaded at the Dairy Women’s Network website: www.dwn.co.nz.

ENDS

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