South Burnett Women will be supported to attend professional and personal development events through a renewed bursary partnership between two not-for-profits: Rural Regional and Remote Women and Red Earth.
Under the historical agreement, a fund was created using money raised by members Marg Enkelmann, Gloria Kirkness, Helen Roth, Lyn Woodhead, Karen Seiler, Mandy Bishop, Lesley Thun and Melissa Barnett.
The fund allowed women in the local South Burnett area to apply for a bursary to attend events, training, conferences and other personal and professional development events.
Since its establishment in 2015, three women have benefitted from the fund. Now, a renewed Memorandum of Understanding between Rural, Regional and Remote Women and Red Earth Community Foundation, secures the agreement into the future.
The MOU was signed at Red Earth’s Leadership Forum in Murgon.
“This renewed partnership honours our shared history between the two organisations and our collective commitments to empowering women,” RRRW vice president Melissa Brooke said.
“Professional and personal development is important regardless of your location across Queensland and we’re so pleased to be able to support women through this fund.
“We appreciate the support of Georgie Somerset and Red Earth, to allow our combined organisations to renew this valuable partnership and continue our join efforts to support regional women into the future.
“It’s come at the perfect time, with RRR Women’s 2025 Conference to be held in Rockhampton, focusing on future-proofing rural, regional and remote women and communities.
“This fund will support South Burnett women to attend and benefit from the conference.”
Red Earth Chair Georgie Somerset says the community foundation is delighted to again partner with RRR Women.
“We know our women are critical to leading our communities, and through this bursary fund, they can be supported in their individual endeavours,” Ms Somerset said.
“Rural women are the glue that hold our families communities and businesses together – we are delighted to be able to provide the structure that allows RRR Women to invest in them.”
For more information, email eso@qrrrwn.org.au.
RRR Women is an independent, not-for-profit membership organisation, established in 1993 to connect, develop and inspire Queensland women.
