Dairy Women’s Network Finalists named in Regional Leaders awards

Volunteers up for DWN award

The 2022 finalists for the Dairy Women’s Network 2022 Volunteer Regional Leader have been announced.

Kelly Bavin, a Southland regional leader; Melissa Munnik, a regional leader and hub leader in Southland; and Taranaki regional leader and hub leader Nicola Bryant are up for the coveted Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) Regional Leader of the Year award, showcasing inspirational women who demonstrate excellence at grass roots level and leadership in their local community, and encompass the DWN values.

Bavin farms near Invercargill in Southland, and is an active member of her local farming community. She is described as someone who just makes things happen, whether it’s arranging a last-minute workshop, or organising cycling events for fun, fitness, wellbeing and connection with others.

She is described as being passionate about dairy farming, with a positive outlook for the sector and in life.

Munnik farms in Otahuti in Southland and is described as having contagious optimism, supporting women around her with wisdom and encouragement to help them know their worth.

As a farmer she understands firsthand the challenges some rural women experience and as a business owner of The Wardrobe Edit she has found a unique way to support rural woman.

Bryant is a Taranaki farmer involved in a large range of community groups and activities, such as the Te Kiri Women connect group, being a PTA committee member and a trustee of the Rural Razzle Trust.

Her passion for helping kids also extends to helping form Auroa Agrikids. She’s been a mentor for Primary ITO for seven years to “give back to the dairy sector that has given her so much”. She is described as a force for DWN in Taranaki with incredible community connections, making sure that DWN is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, “shining that big pink DWN symbol everywhere”.

Jules Benton, DWN CEO, says: “When the nominations come in, it’s always so exciting, because the calibre of woman is incredible.

Our regional leaders across New Zealand are woman who believe in helping their communities, connecting their rural networks, and supporting individuals.

They often juggle running a farm and families, and are heavily involved in their communities – and then are our regional leader: organising, attending and often inspiring events in their communities.” n

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