WINCOTT publicist wins 2006 Award

NSW Rural Women’s Award to Wee Waa’s Kate Schwager

Kate’s passion about rural communities and towns and their links to agriculture – as well as her contribution to the cotton industry as Women in Cotton’s publicity officer – has won her the 2006 Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC) State Award.

Kate was the publicity officer for Wee Waa Inc for many years and set up a regular newsletter promoting local events. She also coordinated two major festivals and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

In 1998 the newsletter led Kate to set up weewaa.com as a way of promoting her community and exploring off-farm income opportunities. From this experience Kate developed a Rural Towns Package – discussed in PWF Bulletin 45 – which she hopes to share with women in other small rural communities as a viable business opportunity.

The $10,000 bursary Kate has won she plans using to develop and promote this Rural Towns Package and to deliver training and assistance to women interested in setting up a community website. She will also attend the RIRDC Australian Insititute of Company Directors’ Course valued at $5000.

Kate believes this will not only help promote the attractions and local produce of a rural town but also educate the wider community about agriculture – with a focus on NSW.

Congratulations Kate – but please don’t rest on your laurels!