Mareeba women vie for rural women honours

Tracey Beikoff, founder and chief executive officer of Rescue Swag, and Jessica Fealy, an accounting and communications business owner, both from Mareeba, have been named finalists with Jacqui Wilson-Smith, co-founder and chair of the Food and Agribusiness Network and Global Innovations Manager at McCormick, Eerwah Vale.

Jess runs an avocado and mango property, Blue Sky Produce, with husband Matt, on the outskirts of Mareeba. She is passionate about the role social media plays in bridging the gap between consumers and farmers, and is a blog team director for the Country to Canberra initiative.

Rescue Swag is an innovative, first-aid kit, developed by Ms Beikoff after a minor horse riding accident in 2012. She has since developed a rescue support buddy app, and attracted the interest of entrepreneur Steve Baxter, who invested in her company in 2015.

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Rural Economic Development Bill Byrne said each finalist was a tribute to Queensland agriculture, demonstrating a commitment to the development of rural industries and communities. He said said a $10,000 project bursary was awarded to each state and territory winner in support of their project to benefit primary industries.

“The recipients will partake in a program of professional development, leadership support and networking opportunities,” Mr Byrne said.

“I am delighted to support the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ long association with this award, and look forward to announcing the winner later this month.”

The state winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in Brisbane on 22 March 2017, with the national title will be announced in August.

The Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Westpac Agribusiness, RM Williams Outback Magazine, ABC Radio and Fairfax Agriculture Media support the award.