MS TIERNEY (Minister for Training and Skills) — I rise to draw attention to the contribution of two women working at a local level and making a significant difference to other women within very different communities. Catherine Jenkins of South Purrumbete is a western Victoria dairy farmer who is switched on to issues confronting the industry while at the same time mindful of the need to create positive images and messages and outlets for frustration. At the height of the milk price-cut challenges last year, Catherine and a friend set up a Facebook page encouraging people to share positive and encouraging dairy stories and images. Now she is a finalist in the 2017 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation’s Victorian Women’s Rural Award based on her plan to complete a feasibility study and develop an Australian dairy women’s network.
Vicki Perrett on the Bellarine Peninsula has just been awarded the inaugural Monica Hayes Award for Women, which is specific to women of the northern Bellarine communities. Vicki is an activist and a leader in several spheres, most notably through her work with Geelong Sustainability and also in Portarlington where she leads women in learning new skills and introduces them to new areas of interest. She is a skilled initiator, advocate and lobbyist. Vicki believes that women and girls in our community and across the globe can only have lives that are safe, happy, empowered and fulfilling if there is a planet for them to live on, embodying the principle of enough for all, forever.
Catherine and Vicki both believe in the importance of putting in in their communities, and of hearing people’s voices. I congratulate both and wish Catherine well in the awards this morning.