Claire Moore has won the prestigious Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, with a plan to boost bee population and genetic diversity through artificial insemination.
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes last week announced Ms Moore as the Victorian winner at a ceremony held at the Hotel Windsor in Melbourne.
“It was a huge honour and one that I didn’t expect to be given,” Claire told the Express.
Ms Moore has been keeping bees for the past 12 years and plans to breed a genetically diverse range of queen bees that are healthy and adaptable in a variety of climates to address declining bee colony numbers.
She has already put her $10,000 bursary into action and will begin study and training in NSW next week.
She has also begun the set-up of a community based hive-share program that will fund the hives she needs to breed stronger queen bees.
By sponsoring a beehive for a year, people can learn the basics of beekeeping while contributing to Claire’s research. Her program opened last week.
“It’s for people who are interested in learning about beekeeping, passionate about bees or those who are concerned about the future of our bees and want to increase the number of bee colonies in Australia,” she said.
Claire ran a similar hive-share program two years ago with huge interest from across the region.
The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award acknowledges the significant role women play in agriculture and rural communities.
The honour makes Claire the second consecutive winner from Kyneton, which celebrated Melissa Connors and her This Farm Needs a Farmer concept last year.
“There’s a lot of talent in our region and in the Macedon Ranges: a lot of strong and determined women,” Claire said.
“It’s been a great experience and even if I hadn’t won I have gained so much just by being part of it.”
Claire will attend the Australian Institute of Directors’ Course in Canberra and have an opportunity to become the national award winner, who will be announced in September.
She was one of three finalists alongside Carly Jordan and Odette Suitor.
