The Sisterhood Project co-founder wins National Runner up Rural Women’s Award

Grace Larson, co-founder of The Sisterhood Project, has been awarded National Runner up for the 2024 Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award for The Sisterhood Project.

Grace was awarded Victorian winner earlier this year, and went into the running for the National Award, which was announced on Tuesday 20 August at Parliament House in Canberra. Grace was joined by all the other State finalists, hundreds of family and friends, and a room full of supporters.

The Hon Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said about all finalists “Your courage and determination drives you to make your ideas a reality.”

Supported by her Board on the night, Grace accepted the National Runner up Award with great pride. Saying that the $15,000 Westpac prize will go towards building an app that will allow parents in rural and remote communities to know what to do for their children in an emergency. This free app can be used by parents anywhere, but it will have an offline mode so that if internet access is not available it can still be accessed.

Grace acknowledged her support systems, thanked Westpac and Agrifutures, and beamed with pride as she accepted the Runner Up award.

“Our charity exists because there is an unacceptable gap in healthcare education. If any one of us could prevent a child’s death, we would. And that’s what drives us at The Sisterhood Project,” Grace said.

“I have a chain of links that support me that have made the success of The Sisterhood project possible (husband, children, family, friends, co-workers). I am very grateful to have this incredible support and can’t do this without you,” she said.

“To all my finalists, Belle, Bec, Nikki, Kate, Andy and Tanya, you’ve all inspired me and i have loved being surrounded by your enthusiasm and your energy, you are all so deserving of this award. I feel like I have found another Sisterhood in you all,” she said.

“A massive congratulations to Tanya for winning the National Rural Women’s Award. Your incredible Remote Opshop Project, is inspiring the way it empowers women in remote Indigenous communities, and will have a profoundly positive affect on these women, their families and their lives for generations to come. You are wholly deserving of this prize and I can’t wait to see how you continue to grow this beautiful project,” Grace said.

Alongside Prime Minister Albanese, we were also joined by the Hon Julie Collins, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon David Littleproud, Leader of the National Party, and Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, representatives from Agrifutures, Agriculture Australia and Westpac.

The Sisterhood Project is 100% not for profit and run entirely by volunteers. The Board is made up of all women and mothers. If you wish to donate to, sponsor or support The Sisterhood Project please contact us at hello@thesisterhoodproject.com.au