TASMANIAN Women in Agriculture celebrated the work of four of its members by presenting with the highly regarded Outstanding Contribution Awards.
Recipients Samantha Sullivan, Ella Anderson, Mandy Cooper and Larna Pittiglio received their awards for their volunteer work, continued efforts to promote TWiA and community involvement.
BELINDA HAZELL writes about Sam Sullivan, who first came to her attention in 2017 as a recipient of a scholarship to attend the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program.
“She demonstrated enthusiasm for all things agriculture and willingness to become more actively involved with TWiA.
“Sam worked with TP Jones & Co, now Nutrien Ag Solutions, in a marketing role which proved beneficial for TWiA.
Shortly after completing the MORLP, Sam was nominated to the executive and made her mark.
“Sam’s passion and tenacity in promoting TWiA saw her gain new sponsorship opportunities which enabled the organisation to launch a new logo, which significantly enhanced TWiA’s image.
“Sam led the charge to develop a new website and update how we managed membership, was responsible for regular eNews, promoting new merchandise and the professional images of our Bluegum and Annual Reports.
“She acted in the Vice Chair role for a year which was a great support to me during my time as Chair, particularly when I travelled overseas on a Churchill Fellowship and had limited availability for three months.
Sam’s drive in her working career saw her take up an opportunity in 2020 to start a new in community services sector.”
MANDY COOPER, who was TWiA former chair, writes about the work of Ella Anderson and Larna Pittiglio.
“Ella Anderson came to the executive in 2019 and continued to develop TWiA’s social media strategy.
Ella went beyond what is normally required of a volunteer by posting most days on social media and making sure TWiA is one of the front runners in Facebook agricultural information.
“Ella was also responsible for Bluegum and our previous AGM report in 2020. These were corporate standard.
“Ella is a young woman of many talents working fulltime as a Clinical Psychologist at St Giles, working on the family farm and holding a position on the Meat Council for TFGA.
“Larna Pittiglio: has been a member of TWiA and a member of the Midlands Regional Group for the past three years.
“She has been an active member of both the Midlands Regional Group and the West Tamar Regional Group organising events in the Midlands and attending events in the West Tamar.
“Larna is a passionate caterer and has been the inspiration behind such TWiA events as the AGM at Brickendon in 2019 and the celebration long lunch at Vaucluse in 2021 “The AGM at Brickendon was an incredible function with the newly appointed Federal Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie in attendance.
“Larna delighted TWiA members with a vast grazing spread of Tasmanian produce indeed introducing many to this concept in food and enabling us all to experience the vast array of Tasmanian produce.
Larna has served on the executive for the past two years.
She has run our membership and website for both years.
“This is one of the most challenging roles within the executive and Larna has exceeded all expectations. Membership is always challenging and as the organisation grows it becomes more so.
“Larna has also been Vice-Chair for the past 12 months and has given much to the organisation.
During 2020 Larna launched Tas Producers an on-line ordering system for consumers and has continued to expand the reach of this organisation during 2021.
Larna is a strong campaigner for all Tasmanian agricultural.
DIANE BARR nominated Mandy Cooper, who was on the TWiA executive for the last four years.
“During this time, she worked tirelessly to raise the membership and profile of TWiA.
“She led the executive with enthusiasm and skill, applying her extensive business experience for the benefit of TWiA.
Mandy arranged several TWiA events including the 2020 AGM, the Long Lunch at Vaucluse to celebrate TWiA’s winning of the Fonterra award for agriculture at the Tas Community Awards, Governance Training, at the forefront of setting up the partnership this year with RAW and RTCC to unite under the banner “Boots on the Ground”.
This partnership brought Mary O’Brien to Tasmania with “ARE You Bogged Mate” .
TWiA is now giving grants and supporting organisations such as the Grumpy Goat Care Farm in Smithton, providing support staff at DigNity gardens, at Nubeena which is a rural community garden with psychologists and at “Free 2 Bee” project in Cressy supporting young women.