Home Hill State High School teacher Louise Nicholas has progressed to Finalist of the Queensland AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, an award to recognise notable female rural leaders who are advocating, empowering, and celebrating for changes in agriculture.
Louise is excited to have progressed to become a Finalist for the award.
“It’s still sinking in,” she explained.
“I was nominated two years ago and didn’t progress to this stage, so it’s all new.
“This time around, my project is further refined and is better matured.”
Her project, ‘Grow Your Own’, is committed to progressing and advocating for students to pursue careers and futures in agriculture and industry.
“There is a lack of trained workforce in industry and agriculture, and to encourage our students to pursue careers in industry, we have partnered with local industry and agricultural businesses and farms to show students what’s on offer,” Louise explained.
“We also work closely with agricultural bodies like Central Queensland University and AgForce, who support us in taking students out on tours of farms, of workplaces and sites.
“Exposure is really what we’re trying to do. To show the students what’s out there, and that farming and a career in agriculture isn’t sitting on a tractor all day anymore.”
Louise aspires to extend the Grow Your Own initiative across Queensland and showcase the diverse industry opportunities that are available for students, while fostering growth and success in their own communities.
“There is so much out there,” Louise said.
“And exposing students to the diverse and various aspect of industry and agriculture is critical.
“It encourages students to enter a career in industry that they may not have known was an option.”
Louise is also a big advocate for the Food and Fibre component of the Australian Curriculum, wishing to encourage further commitment of Queensland schools to deliver the component with confidence.
“Food and Fibre is outlined is the curriculum but not a lot of schools deliver it, because the teachers don’t feel confident in delivering the material.
“I am also advocating for teachers and professionals to upskill.”
Louise will travel to Brisbane on March 11 for the final interview with the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award panel, with the winners named during the following days.
Each state and territory winner receives a $15,000 grant from Westpac to fund their project, business, or program.
“To win allows me to better propel the initiative and extend it across Queensland, to better agriculture education in schools, and support students pursuing careers in industry and agriculture in their local area.”
Louise Nicholas with her students, supporting students to pursue careers in industry and agriculture. Photos supplied
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