Coolindown Farms is extremely proud of the efforts of our very own business partner, Belinda Lay, who has taken out the '2019 WA AgriFutures Rural Women's Award for her ongoing & extensive research into IoT Technology and Livestock. Belinda's winning project is using IoT technology to trial sheep collars which will collect a mountain of data for farmers - you can read more about her extensive Sheep Collar Trials here.

This award acknowledges and celebrates the women in WA using their skills to benefit and grow their industries and communities. It also offers women the opportunity to further develop their leadership skills through a bursary for innovative ideas and projects, access to professional development opportunities and alumni networks. This year the award has gone further, providing full scholarships to all 2019 WA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Awards finalists to take part in Curtin Business School Executive Education's Ignition Program, an intensive, one-week entrepreneurial training program. Blending practical teaching sessions, expert clinics, mentoring and support from leading entrepreneurs and innovators, it will give the WA finalists the tools, contacts and confidence to transform their idea into a successful regional business venture.

Image credit: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Sheep Producers Australia has announced the three scholarship winners who will attend the inaugural Meat Business Women Networking event run by the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) and Meat Business Women (MBW).

Olivia Agar, Joanna Treasure and Belinda Lay will join SPA Industry Leadership Manager Melissa Neal on Wednesday 3 April 2019 at the Park Royal, Melbourne Airport, for the event.

The SPA Leadersheep Network provides opportunities to develop, connect and contribute. The MBW event will be the first of its kind in Australia, bringing together women from across the meat supply chain including processors, wholesalers, retailers and smallgoods manufacturers to help future proof the meat industry.

MBW targets women working within the post farm-gate meat supply chain with three key objectives:

• Develop the image, culture and landscape of the meat industry to make it more attractive to female talent
• Nurture new female entrants into the sector through networking, education and mentoring
• Improve networking skills

SPA and The Leadersheep Network are proud to offer this opportunity to support and build female leadership capability for the industry.

READ MORE & MEET THE WINNERS...

Esperance farmer Belinda Lay has returned from the first Australian Meat Business Women networking event feeling inspired after meeting authentic and passionate people from around the nation.

The one-day conference was coordinated by UK women’s advocacy networking group Meat Business Women, in partnership with the Australian Meat Industry Council, after the pair signed a partnership in January.

It was the first time the conference had been held in Australia, with the Melbourne event bringing more than 200 women together from across the Australian meat supply chain.

Mrs Lay farms with her husband Deon, and Deon’s son Joshua.

She said she attended the event to network with like-minded people.

“I was one of a handful of farmers, with good representation from sectors including processing, wholesale, retailers and small-goods manufacturers, to help future-proof the meat industry,” she said.

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