A Dubbo woman dedicated to helping people connect during the pandemic has been named as a finalist for the 2022 NSW/ACT AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has announced lawyer and Connected AU founder Mea Campbell as one of finalists for the award, which identifies and supports women’s contributions to rural communities.
“Women are a driving force in innovation in our regions and The AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award is a testament to the positive influence more women are making in business and agriculture,” Mr Saunders said.
“Mea is a lawyer, writer and founder of Connected AU, a purpose led business that delivers programs to reduce isolation and loneliness across Australia.
“Having lived through some of the best and worst times of her life in remote rural areas throughout NSW, Mea has developed a passion for helping to fight the loneliness associated with living in some of these isolated communities.
“Connected AU was established in March 2020 and is delivering programs that create real connections, positively affecting the lives of people across regional Australia by ensuring that they feel visible, valued and connected.”
The winner of the Rural Women’s Award will be announced at the Rural Women’s Gathering in Forbes on 2 April and will receive a $15,000 Westpac bursary to enhance her projects along with access to business, leadership and mentoring opportunities. The winner will also compete for the national award later this year.
“Through her passion and commitment, Mea has demonstrated strong leadership and is empowering others along the way, and I thank her not just for the impact she is having on our local community, but for her contribution to rural communities across the nation,” Mr Saunders said.
“I am delighted the NSW Government continues to support this award to publicly recognise the achievements of women.”
For more information about the Rural Women’s Award, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au