GROWING up on Parnaroo Station east of Yunta means Alex Thomas is well aware of the high number of serious accidents injuring and killing South Australian farmers.
Ms Thomas has devoted her working life to tackling the problem and tonight was named winner of the state’s prestigious annual AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for her commitment.
Ms Thomas, who helps care for her own father who was permanently injured while working in the agriculture industry, plans to use the award’s $10,000 bursary to launch a new #PlantASeedForSafety social media campaign.
It will be linked to easy to download work, health and safety tools, while she also intends presenting at key industry forums to inspire other women to champion the cause.
“Alex’s project really goes to the heart of regional and rural Australia. Additionally, it can be applied nationwide to help agribusiness workers to go home safely and with their health intact,” awards sponsor Westpac Agribusiness SA, WA and NT regional general manager Brad Higgins said.
Ms Thomas already runs her own business focusing on work health and safety, having previously worked in the agriculture, fisheries and mining industries.
In 2014, she won the Rural Youth Bursary in the awards, travelling to Norway to study leading practice in fisheries.
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