Fifth-generation beef producer Angie Nisbet who co-founded FarmHer Hands – a business that produces UPF50+ sun protection gloves – is one of three finalists in the Queensland Rural Women’s Award.
Libby Cook-Black and Nicole McNaughton are also vying to represent Queensland at the national awards in Canberra later this year.
Libby Cook-Black is a proud Zenadth Kes woman from Erub Island in the Torres Strait and the founder of The Female Co, an organisation that helps rural, regional and remote Indigenous women access high-performance leadership programs.
Nicole McNaughton, meanwhile, is the CEO of Food and Agribusiness Network, one of Australia’s leading food and industry clusters, which has more than 420 members in the Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions.
The vast expanse of north west Queensland is home for Angie Nisbet and Shona Larkin of FarmHer Hands who both live near Hughenden.
During a coffee catch-up in early 2023 after a morning out in the paddock, Shona expressed a desire for more stylish, durable gloves for her outdoor work, prompting Angie to say, “Well, why don’t we make our own“?
From there, they channelled their passion for agriculture and skin protection into a business venture, designing and launching a line of fashionable UPF50+ gloves, driven by their personal stories linked to melanoma.
“We are two country women who have dedicated ourselves to creating a solution that celebrates our way of life and helps protect the hands of hardworking women and farming families all over Australia,“ Angie said.
“We work seamlessly together on ideas, design inspiration and, importantly, continue to work on our vision and business mission; to ‘glove up’ 15,000 women, men and children across Australia and protect, safeguard and empower them with confidence, without compromising on comfort, safety and style.“
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett congratulated the finalists, paying tribute to their achievements and their positive contribution to rural Queensland.
“Rural Queensland simply wouldn’t operate without the vital contribution of country women who carry out a myriad of many crucial roles, often behind the scenes,” he said.
“As a husband and father of capable country women, I know how much of women’s contributions go unacknowledged, which is why awards like this are cause for celebration.
“I take my hat off to this year’s finalists Angie, Nicole and Libby, and recognise their success in three very different but valuable endeavors.”
The Queensland winner of the Rural Women’s Award will receive a $15,000 grant to further their work and represent Queensland at the national awards in Canberra later this year.
The Department of Primary Industries has supported the Rural Women’s Award since 2000, and it is a collaboration with AgriFutures Australia and supported by the Queensland Country Women’s Association and Westpac.
Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security Fiona Simpson said the finalists were contributing a great deal to Queensland’s rural communities.
“From beef producing to agriculture and providing leadership programs for indigenous women in rural, regional and remote areas – each of these three female finalists has excelled in their field,” she said.
“Women are a leading force in keeping Queensland’s regional and rural communities thriving and I applaud not only Libby, Nicole and Angie, but all women who continue to support their communities, and make achievements in their everyday lives.”
Belinda Allitt, chief operating officer of AgriFutures Australia, thanked the three finalists for their commitment to Australia’s rural industries.
“This award not only recognises the innovative contributions that these three women are making to their communities and Australia’s rural industries, but also acknowledges the grit, determination and dedication that is required to get to this point,“ she said.
“The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award provides our state and territory winners a platform to build on their leadership skills to drive change, building towards a stronger rural and regional Australia.
“Congratulations to the three Queensland finalists.”
The Queensland winner will be announced at a ceremony in Brisbane on Thursday 20 March 2025.
