29 Mar 2017
Ken Vowles
Minister for Primary Industry and Resources
Long-time Territorian Kate Peake has tonight been announced the winner of the prestigious Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award.
Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Ken Vowles, congratulated Ms Peake on her hard work and contribution to the rural industry.
Ms Peake was nominated for her project which centres around the promotion of local water stewardship, and the development of stakeholder-endorsed communications and strategies to foster sustainable water use across the Darwin region.
“Sustainable water use is a very important issue to Territorians, and her work is extremely valuable,” Mr Vowles said.
“The Territory’s rural sector is growing with strong performances right across the board in pastoral, horticulture, forestry, fishing and aquaculture enterprises and it’s great to be able to acknowledge our amazing women in this field.
“The Rural Women’s Award is a prestigious honour and Ms Peake’s work is a well-deserved testament to this.
“I’m excited that our government has highlighted agribusiness as a priority growth sector and I know that we have a lot of work to do with Territorians, especially those in the rural sector, to see our vision become reality.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the other two 2017 RIRDC Rural Women’s Award NT finalists Mrs Helen Guyupul, and Dr Mila Bristow, and congratulate them for being recognised as emerging leaders who have the desire, commitment and leadership potential to make a greater contribution to primary industries and rural communities.”
Ms Peake aims to act as a mediator whilst working in partnership with stakeholders including rural residents and commercial enterprise.
The intention is to instil a shared community understanding and educated approach to water planning and management, plus provide information to help mitigate the risk of water misuse for this vital resource.
Ms Peake will now compete for the National 2017 Rural Women’s Award title in September.
Media contact: Cathryn Tilmouth 0417 161 505