NEW South Wales shearer, registered nurse and mental health advocate, Carol Mudford, has been named the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award national winner.
Ms Mudford, founder of sHedway, a national not‑for‑profit tackling suicide prevention and mental health in the shearing industry, has officially been named the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Winner for her leadership in creating safe spaces and practical support across sheds nationwide.
Since launching sHedway in 2023, Ms Mudford has delivered events across every mainland state, breaking down stigma and building peer networks to ensure shearers and wool handlers know they are not alone.
Western Australian fashion innovator, Isabella Thrupp, announced national runner-up for Prinking in Pindan, a clothing brand shaped by life on cattle stations in the Kimberley.
Managing Leopold Downs Station with her partner, Isabella has fused station life with design to create clothing for outback realities.
Her first release, Pindan Jeans, drew overwhelming demand, highlighting the appetite for durable, stylish clothing designed by women on the land. As a female founder in one of Australia’s most remote regions, she turned lived experience into innovation, showing that distance is no barrier to impact.
In addition to the $15,000 Westpac grant already awarded to the seven state and territory winners, Ms Mudford and Ms Thrupp will receive an additional $20,000 and $15,000 respectively to further develop their winning projects.
“This is a profound honour and I am deeply grateful to AgriFutures and Westpac for their belief in my vision,” Ms Mudford said.
“With this support, we can take sHedway into more sheds and more towns, making it okay to ask for help – and to receive it.”
Ms Thrupp said Prinking in Pindan began with the idea of creating clothing that reflects station life.
“To have that vision recognised nationally shows that women in remote Australia can drive meaningful change and I hope it inspires others to pursue their own ideas,” she said.
Ms Mudford and Ms Thrupp, along with their fellow national finalists, were honoured for their exceptional contributions to rural communities and industries on Tuesday.
The 2025 cohort includes:
Carol Mudford: Founder of sHedway (New South Wales/ACT);
Nicole McNaughton: CEO of the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) (Queensland);
Kelly Johnson: Creator of SPhiker (South Australia);
Kristy Hollis: Naturopath and founder of Everlasting Health (Northern Territory);
Dr Mary Cole: Soil scientist and founder of AgPath (Victoria);
Sarah De Jonge: Founder of 1000 Hearts (Tasmania); and
Isabella Thrupp: Founder of Prinking in Pindan (Western Australia).
The announcement was made by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, during a black‑tie gala dinner at Canberra’s Parliament House on Tuesday evening.
The event brought together more than 540 government officials, industry representatives, members of the awards’ alumni, other state finalists and their families.
This year marks 25 years of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award.
Since its inception, the award has celebrated hundreds of women transforming their industries, from food and fibre to tech, sustainability and community leadership.
It’s become a national platform that amplifies rural voices, fuels innovation and inspires the next generation of leaders.
The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s premier award recognising and supporting the vital role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities.
With the continued support of platinum sponsor, Westpac, the program offers opportunities to foster the growth of tomorrow’s female changemakers across Australia.
AgriFutures Australia managing director, John Harvey, praised Ms Mudford for her outstanding contributions to rural wellbeing.
“In the 25th year of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, a program that has evolved from a kitchen-table conversation into a national movement, Carol Mudford stands as a powerful embodiment of its legacy,” Mr Harvey said.
“A registered nurse and seasoned shearer and wool handler, Carol bridges two worlds with authenticity and courage.
“Her exceptional work is changing the culture of the shearing industry and creating lasting impact for rural communities.
“She’s trusted in the sheds and influential in the conversations shaping the sector, bringing people together and earning deep respect across both worlds,” he said.
Mr Harvey also congratulated runner-up Ms Thrupp, who received an additional $15,000 Westpac grant.
Westpac Regional Commercial and Agribusiness managing director, Peta Ward also congratulated Ms Mudford and Ms Thrupp.
“Their projects highlight the ingenuity and resilience of women in rural and regional Australia and we are proud to support their leadership,” Ms Ward said.
“It’s an honour to showcase the contributions of women who are helping to build a stronger, more sustainable future for our regions.”
Applications for the 2026 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award opened on September 10, 2025 and will close on Friday, November 7, 2025 and Friday, January 30, 2026 for Northern Territory applicants. See the AgriFutures Australia website for more details.
