The dairy farmer was recently recognised as Rural Community Leader of the Year at the Farmer of the Year Awards in Canberra.
It is her enthusiasm for supporting other farmers, youth and women in agriculture that earned Sarah the title. She is passionate about giving back to the community and supporting the growth of those in her industry.
She volunteers for a range of organisations, working with them to improve conditions, advance causes, highlight issues and provide opportunities for people to get involved, grow their skills and knowledge and connect with others.
Sarah is the immediate past president and current treasurer of Australian Women in Agriculture, vice-president of the National Rural Women's Coalition, and treasurer/secretary of a collective bargaining group that works to achieve the best price for its dairy farmers.
Sarah is a member of the Victoria Farmers Federation Farm Business and Regional Development Committee and has served on a number of VFF committees including as a founding member and vice-president of the Young Agribusiness Professionals.
She is also the publicity officer and current treasurer of the Illawarra Cattle Society's Victorian Branch and has been a Cows Create Careers advocate since 2012. Sarah has visited local schools to educate students on the many career pathways in the dairy industry. Alongside her husband, Raymond, who addresses animal care and husbandry, they deliver calves to schools for students to rear.
I was privileged to be at the Farmer of the Year awards when Sarah received her award at Parliament House. I love seeing people from the Goulburn Valley smash it out of the park. It makes you proud to live where you live.
“Taking on community leadership roles is something I truly enjoy doing,” Sarah said.
“I get the opportunity to meet and connect with some incredible people both in Australia and even globally. It is such a rewarding thing to do.”
The Kondinin Group has been presenting the Farmer of the Year Awards for the past 12 years, and Ben White is its general manager of research.
“Sarah really shows us how one person can have a lasting and meaningful impact in our rural and regional communities,” he said.
“As an industry, we know we need to address and overcome gender and age barriers, and it is people like Sarah, who are not afraid to stand up and be heard, who will help us do that.”
Each Thursday I interview members of the current Fairley Leadership Program and it’s worth noting Sarah is a proud Fairley fellow from back in 2009, no doubt helped along on her leadership journey by our highly successful local program. Tune in to hear from Sarah in an upcoming program. That is, if she can fit it in to her busy schedule.
Terri Cowley is the breakfast presenter on One FM 98.5
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