Saturday Magazine

Ms Larson accepted the Award at a ceremony presented by Ms Michaela Settle Parliamentary Secretary, Agriculture.

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, supported by platinum sponsor Westpac, is Australia’s leading Award in acknowledging and supporting the critical role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities. It is an opportunity to celebrate the forward-thinking, courageous leaders who come from industries that represent some of the most vast and remote areas of Victoria.

Ms Larson received a $15,000 grant from Westpac to further support her project as well as the opportunity to undertake a professional development course of her choosing. Ms Larson will go on to represent Victoria at the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement in Canberra later in the year, where the National Winner will be awarded an additional $20,000 Westpac grant and the National Runner Up, an additional $15,000.

Ms Larson, a dedicated children’s nurse with more than 17 years’ experience, is empowering local parents and caregivers across rural Australia to identify preventable illness and decrease the need for rural children to seek specialised services in urban areas.

“I’ve teamed up with my sister to deliver The Sisterhood Project, a non-profit initiative that addresses the unfair disadvantages faced by rural children, which aims to break down barriers hindering parents and caregivers from accessing vital training when it comes to illness recognition, accident prevention and basic first aid,” Ms Larson said.

“I’m so thrilled to receive this award, so that I can continue to deliver on my vision that everyone should have access to the best healthcare no matter where they live.”

Photo courtesy:
midlandexpress.com.au