Cloncurry beef producer Jacqueline Curley has often been described as inspirational, particularly in the wake of her harrowing portrayal of the natural disaster that killed so many of her own and others' cattle last year.
It comes as no surprise that she was the only nominee and therefore has become the winner of the Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women's Network's 2020 Inspirational Woman of the Year award.
The announcement of Ms Curley's award, plus the finalists for six other awards, was streamed online on Thursday afternoon, International Rural Women's Day.
In making the announcements from the Moreton Bay Regional Tourism and Industry headquarters at Redcliffe, Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath reminded onlookers that great leaders encouraged and mentored others to achieve their potential.
It's a role that QRRRWN has been undertaking for the past 27 years but which was highlighted in 2012 with the first Strong Women Leadership Awards, to encourage rural women to embrace leadership opportunities.
The 50 people online watching the livestream plus the attendees at QRRRWN high teas in the South Burnett and at Charleville heard that there had been 48 nominations for the awards this year, one where leadership was even more relevant than usual.
QRRRWN board lead for the SWLA program, Davida Melksham said every rural woman put their unique stamp on the work they did did in their families, communities, sectors and workplaces.
"Some women, however, like all 48 nominees, undertake what they do in such a way that they earn respect by their attitude, tenacity, skill and leadership.
"I am so glad I was not trying to choose today's finalists - every woman nominated deserves recognition and acknowledgment of how her work supports, nurtures and sustains to co-create change.
"We are enriched from their efforts."
Strong Women Leadership Awards finalists:
- Woman of the Year: Karen Tully, Charleville; Susan Dowling, Cloncurry; Melissa Redsell, Warner; Inspector Julia Cook; Longreach.
- Small Business Owner of the Year: Tricia Agar, Wyandra; Katrina Houghton, Redcliffe; Sarah Jane McDonald, Toowoomba.
- Influential Leader of the Year: Catherine Waldron, Margate; Jacqueline Curley, Cloncurry; Carmel Reithmeller, Redcliffe.
- Volunteer of the Year: Ruth Vicary, Mundubbera; Melissa Hopkins, Wandoan; Maree Frannetovich, Sarina.
- Storyteller of the Year: Alison Richardson, Mackay; Annabelle Brayley, Morven.
- Young Woman with a Vision of the Year: Bella Schif, Nanango; Chelsea Donoghue, Toowoomba.
The award winners will be announced in December.