Dr Mary Cole, the 2025 Victorian winner of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, is on a mission. As a cattle farmer and one of our country’s pre-eminent soil microbiologists she wants other farmers to understand the secrets of Australian soil.
“For me it’s more than just a job or research project – it’s my life’s work. We need to stop asking the land what it can do for us and start asking what we can do for the land,” says Cole.
In 2025 Australian farmers have felt the full force of the Australian climate, from droughts to flooding rains. While farmers in NSW and Queensland have dealt with devastating floods, Cole’s region is facing extreme drought.
In January, when her Angus cattle stud in Garfield, Victoria, hadn’t seen rain for months she made the difficult decision to sell her entire herd.
Cole says selling the stock in the drought, which is still impacting parts of Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia, was the right decision. “At least now we don’t have that heartbreak. It makes us weep to see what’s happening on the farms around us. We still have green grass on our farm, where others have nothing,” she says.
Dr Mary Cole on her farm in Garfield, Victoria.
As a scientist, Cole is a proponent of regenerative farming, a holistic approach that eschews the use of chemical inputs and focuses on restoring and enhancing the functioning of the whole ecosystem, which includes careful livestock management.
Cole founded Agpath, a research, education and consulting company, to teach Australian farmers how to look after their soil so it can continue to feed Australia for generations.
In its simplest form, “if we feed the soil and the microbes and care for the land, then the soil and the microbes will feed us,” says Cole.
She says regenerative practices make an enormous difference in protecting farms from drought.
“When you have good healthy soil with deep rooted vegetation and mixed pastures you hold a lot more water down deeper in the soil. So the high temperatures don’t have the same effect, and the pastures hold on longer.”
The Australian landscape is unique, and Cole says that means we can’t farm sustainably for the long term in the same way as farmers overseas.
“Our landscape is so incredibly ancient and over time it has weathered. When Europeans came to Australia they brought plants, animals and farming methods that were incompatible with the environment and destroyed it at a rapid rate. We’re losing topsoil at 20 times the rate the Earth is creating it.
“However, we can turn that around.”
Cole says the key is mixed cropping (as opposed to planting just one single crop at a time), avoiding ploughing and ensuring 100% coverage of the soil by plants.
“Americans and Europeans can’t conceive of the age of our continent and the fact that we have very little soil. But we can make it work for us by caring for country. We may be the driest continent (aside from Antarctica), but we just have to look at it from a different perspective and farm differently and with care.”
Dr Mary Cole pictured in her laboratory, where she studies Australian soil and the organisms living in it.
Cole’s passion for caring for the land and studying the Australian landscape started when she was four years old, living in Far North Queensland where many of her friends were First Nations people.
“The First Nations people don’t see themselves as owners of the land, they see themselves as custodians for generations. There’s a nurturing and a humility that’s so different from the Western culture of ownership and possession, and as a young child I was encouraged to cultivate that sense of nurturing.”
Regenerative farming may be based on science and ancient knowledge, but it’s still a grassroots movement rather than mainstream practice. Something Cole hopes to see change in her lifetime.
She plans to use the $15,000 grant awarded to her by Westpac for winning the Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award to film videos with farmers who have successfully enacted regenerative farming practises to increase the health and output of their land, so they can share their learnings with others.
“Farmers need to hear from life experience and learn from each other,” says Cole. And right now, she said, that’s more important than ever.
“As farmers, we must realise that we are going into a changing climate and we need to be forward thinking when making decisions. We can’t take a business-as-usual approach, because business is not usual anymore.”
Congratulations to all the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award State and Territory Winners, supported by Platinum Sponsor Westpac.
The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s leading Award in acknowledging and supporting the critical role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities. All of these State and Territory winners are eligible to win the AgriFutures national prize, including a $20,000 Westpac grant, at the award ceremony in November.
Carol Mudford – New South Wales / Australian Capital Territory
Carol Mudford, a shearer, wool handler, and nurse from Dubbo, NSW, founded sHedway in 2023 to address mental health in the shearing industry. She holds events nationwide, creating space for honest conversations and practical support.
Isabella Thrupp – Western Australia
Isabella Thrupp, founder of Prinking in Pindan, designs clothing inspired by life on remote cattle stations. Managing Leopold Downs Station, she launched The Pindan Jeans—selling out instantly—and is passionate about empowering rural women and promoting sustainability.
Nicole McNaughton – Queensland
Nicole McNaughton is CEO of the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN), representing 470+ members across regional Queensland. With 20+ years in communications, she helps agrifood businesses grow through FAN’s Grow National program, fostering collaboration and community-led success.
Kelly Johnson – South Australia
Kelly Johnson created SPhiker, a sustainable hiking meal brand using surplus South Australian produce. Her eco-conscious meals reduce food waste and support local farmers, aligning with global sustainability goals and setting a new standard for outdoor food solutions.
Kristy Hollis – Northern Territory
Kristy Hollis is a naturopath and founder of Women’s Business, which delivers holistic healthcare in remote NT communities. With 23 years’ experience, she blends traditional and modern medicine, advocating for accessible care and partnerships with First Nations healers.
Sarah De Jonge – Tasmania
Sarah De Jonge founded 1000 Hearts, a kindness project that shares handmade felt hearts to comfort people in need. Based in Kingston, TAS, and with a background in counselling, Sarah’s movement has grown globally, spreading compassion and connection through creativity.
Hannah is a Walkley Award winning journalist who started her career in television as a producer for The Today Show and 60 Minutes, before moving to digital as Commissioning Editor of news.com.au and then Head of Video for News Corp Australia. She is now a Corporate Affairs Lead for Westpac.
{"topicSelector":[{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/economy","name":"economy","description":"Explore more Economy insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Economy","url":"/news/topic.economy/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/banking","name":"banking","description":"Explore more Banking insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Banking","url":"/news/topic.banking/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/digital","name":"digital","description":"Explore more Digital insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Digital","url":"/news/topic.digital/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/community","name":"community","description":"Explore more community insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Community","url":"/news/topic.community/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/diversity","name":"diversity","description":"Explore more Diversity insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Diversity","url":"/news/topic.diversity/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/workplace","name":"workplace","description":"Explore more workplace insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Workplace","url":"/news/topic.workplace/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/sustainability","name":"sustainability","description":"Explore more sustainability insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Sustainability","url":"/news/topic.sustainability/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/technology","name":"technology","description":"Explore more Technology insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Technology","url":"/news/topic.technology/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/westpac","name":"westpac","description":"Stories featuring Westpac corporate news.","title":"Westpac","url":"/news/topic.westpac/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/property","name":"property","description":"Explore more Property insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Property","url":"/news/topic.property/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/sme","name":"sme","description":"Explore more Small Medium Enterprise insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"SME","url":"/news/topic.sme/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/innovators","name":"innovators","description":"Explore more Innovators insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Innovators","url":"/news/topic.innovators/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/leadership","name":"leadership","description":"Explore more Leadership insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Leadership","url":"/news/topic.leadership/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/covid19","name":"covid19","description":"Stories influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.","title":"COVID-19","url":"/news/topic.covid19/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/investing","name":"investing","description":"Explore more Innovators insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Investing","url":"/news/topic.investing/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/scams","name":"scams","description":"Stories about the latest cyber scams news and trends. ","title":"Scams","url":"/news/topic.scams/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/startups","name":"startups","description":"Explore more Startups insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Startups","url":"/news/topic.startups/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/personalfinance","name":"personalfinance","description":"Explore more insights about personal finance, financial literacy and financial wellbeing. ","title":"Personal finance","url":"/news/topic.personalfinance/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/agribusiness","name":"agribusiness","description":"Explore more Agribusiness insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Agribusiness","url":"/news/topic.agribusiness/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/billsbites","name":"billsbites","description":"Explore more insights from Bill Evans at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Bill\u0027s Bites","url":"/news/topic.billsbites/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/data","name":"data","description":"Explore more data insights at Westpac Wire.","title":"Data","url":"/news/topic.data/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/environment","name":"environment","description":"Explore more Environment insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Environment","url":"/news/topic.environment/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/payments","name":"payments","description":"Explore more Payments insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Payments","url":"/news/topic.payments/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/fintech","name":"fintech","description":"Explore more Fintech insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Fintech","url":"/news/topic.fintech/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/politics","name":"politics","description":"Explore more Politics insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Politics","url":"/news/topic.politics/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/career","name":"career","description":"Stories providing career insights, tips and trends.","title":"Career","url":"/news/topic.career/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/social-enterprise","name":"social-enterprise","description":"Stories relevant to or featuring social enterprises.","title":"Social enterprise","url":"/news/topic.social-enterprise/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/indigenous","name":"indigenous","description":"Explore more indigenous insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Indigenous","url":"/news/topic.indigenous/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/regulation","name":"regulation","description":"Explore more Regulation insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Regulation","url":"/news/topic.regulation/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/wellbeing","name":"wellbeing","description":"Stories featuring wellbeing trends, insights and stories.","title":"Wellbeing","url":"/news/topic.wellbeing/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/superannuation","name":"superannuation","description":"Explore more Superannuation insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Superannuation","url":"/news/topic.superannuation/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/westpac-scholars","name":"westpac-scholars","description":"Stories featuring Westpac Scholars. ","title":"Westpac Scholars","url":"/news/topic.westpac-scholars/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/reinventure","name":"reinventure","description":"Explore more Reinventure insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Reinventure","url":"/news/topic.reinventure/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/asia","name":"asia","description":"Explore more Asia insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Asia","url":"/news/topic.asia/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/podcast","name":"podcast","description":"Explore Westpac Wire\u0027s podcast series.","title":"Podcast","url":"/news/topic.podcast/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/history","name":"history","description":"Stories unearthed from Westpac\u0027s private archival collection. ","title":"History","url":"/news/topic.history/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/businesses-of-tomorrow","name":"businesses-of-tomorrow","description":"Stories featuring Westpac Businesses of Tomorrow program winners. ","title":"Westpac Businesses of Tomorrow","url":"/news/topic.businesses-of-tomorrow/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/luciscall","name":"luciscall","description":"Explore more insights from Westpac\u0027s chief economist Luci Ellis at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Luci\u0027s Call","url":"/news/topic.luciscall/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/tax","name":"tax","description":"Explore more tax insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Tax","url":"/news/topic.tax/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/goodpair","name":"goodpair","description":"Explore more Good Pair stories, showing two people making a big difference together. ","title":"Good Pair","url":"/news/topic.goodpair/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/currencies","name":"currencies","description":"Stories providing currencies insights, tips and trends.","title":"Currencies","url":"/news/topic.currencies/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/opinion","name":"opinion","description":"Expert opinions and insights. ","title":"Opinion","url":"/news/topic.opinion/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/deals","name":"deals","description":"Explore more Deals insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Deals","url":"/news/topic.deals/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/veterans","name":"veterans","description":"Explore more insights about defence force veterans at Westpac Wire.","title":"Veterans","url":"/news/topic.veterans/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/IWD","name":"IWD","description":"Stories focusing on International Women\u0027s Day, on 8 March annually. ","title":"IWD ","url":"/news/topic.IWD/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/analysis","name":"analysis","description":"Expert analysis on economic news and other trends.","title":"Analysis","url":"/news/topic.analysis/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/rework","name":"rework","description":"Stories of businesses pivoting in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.","title":"Rework","url":"/news/topic.rework/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/10Qs","name":"10Qs","description":"\"10Qs with...\" is a series that asks leaders what makes them tick.","title":"10Qs","url":"/news/topic.10Qs/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/commodities","name":"commodities","description":"Insights into commodities markets.","title":"Commodities","url":"/news/topic.commodities/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/quarterlife","name":"quarterlife","description":"Explore more Quarter Life insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Quarter Life","url":"/news/topic.quarterlife/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/shareholders","name":"shareholders","description":"Stories relevant to Westpac shareholders.","title":"Shareholders","url":"/news/topic.shareholders/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/climate","name":"climate","description":"Explore more climate insights at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"Climate ","url":"/news/topic.climate/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/esg","name":"esg","description":"Explore more insights on environmental, social and governance issues at Westpac Wire. Subscribe to the Westpac Wire newsletter to stay in the know.","title":"ESG","url":"/news/topic.esg/"},{"tagId":"newsroom:topics/boardwalk","name":"boardwalk","description":"A series of in-depth podcast interviews with board directors to find out what\u0027s on their minds. ","title":"Board Walk","url":"/news/topic.boardwalk/"}]}