Building a stronger rural veterinary workforce

Ms Dickinson accepted the Award last night at a ceremony presented by Ms Michaela Settle MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria and Parliamentary Secretary for Community Sport.

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, supported by platinum sponsor Westpac, is Australia’s leading award recognising and supporting the critical role women play in rural and regional businesses, industries and communities. The Award celebrates forward-thinking leaders delivering practical impact across Victoria.

As the Victorian winner, Ms Dickinson receives a $15,000 grant from Westpac to further develop her initiative, along with access to professional development opportunities valued at $35,000.

She will represent Victoria at the 2026 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement in Canberra on Tuesday, 8 September 2026. At the national event, the National Winner will receive an additional $20,000 Westpac grant, and the National Runner Up an additional $15,000.

Supporting early‑career veterinarians through structured training and mentoring

A mixed-animal veterinarian with 15 years’ experience in regional clinical practice, Ms Dickinson founded Veterinary Support Services (VSS) in 2022 to address the lack of structured post-graduate support available to early-career veterinarians entering rural practice.

Through VSS, Ms Dickinson provides clinical, practical, educational and mentoring support to graduates transitioning into livestock veterinary roles. Her work focuses on improving confidence and competence, improving job satisfaction and increasing long-term retention in rural communities.

In 2024, VSS secured funding to pilot the Victorian Livestock Veterinary Scholarship (VLVS) program across eight regional clinics. The two-year structured clinical supervision and training program provides early-career veterinarians with on-farm practical training, monthly education sessions, professional networking and wellbeing support.

“In rural communities, veterinarians play a critical role in livestock health, welfare, biosecurity and disease response,” Ms Dickinson said.

“We know that structured supervision, education and mentoring significantly improve job satisfaction and retention. I am honoured to be named 2026 Victorian winner of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. My goal is to use the $15,000 Westpac grant to create financially viable, scalable models of post-graduate support that strengthen both individual veterinarians and the rural clinics that employ them.”

Industry leaders recognise impact and leadership

AgriFutures Australia Managing Director Brianna Casey AM said Ms Dickinson’s initiative demonstrates the type of leadership the Award was created to recognise.

“The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award recognises women who are driving practical, scalable change in rural and regional industries,” Brianna said.

“Becky’s work directly addresses a critical workforce challenge by strengthening veterinary workforce capability, supporting livestock industries and helping safeguard biosecurity, animal welfare and food security.

“Her leadership is delivering tangible outcomes for regional communities and building long-term capacity across the sector.”

Mandy Hehir, Regional General Manager, Central VIC/Gippsland, Regional Commercial & Agribusiness, Westpac said:

“Congratulations to Becky Dickinson on being named the Victorian winner of the 2026 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award,” Ms Hehir said.

“Her structured approach to post-graduate veterinary training and retention is strengthening rural industries and building resilience across regional communities.

“Westpac is proud to support women who are driving long-term, practical change in rural Australia.”

Find more information about the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award at agrifutures.com.au/rwa.

ENDS

About AgriFutures Australia

AgriFutures Australia is the trading name for the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC), a statutory authority of the Federal Government established by the Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989.

AgriFutures invests in research, innovation and leadership to grow the long-term prosperity of Australian agriculture. We support 13 levied industries driving growth through targeted research, development and extension that strengthens industry productivity, sustainability and competitiveness.

AgriFutures also delivers national programs that address industry-wide challenges and opportunities, connects global agrifood innovation networks, and builds leadership across the agricultural sector.

Research investments made or managed by AgriFutures Australia, and publications and communication materials pertaining to those investments, are funded by industry levy payers and/or the Federal Government.