NT Rural Women’s Award winner aims to improve healthcare

Kristy Hollis has been named the winner of the 2025 Northern Territory AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for her project to improve access to healthcare in rural and remote communities, particularly for women.

Kristy was named the NT winner at a special event held at Parliament House and will go on to represent the Territory at the national awards later this year.

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Gerard Maley said the prestigious award was an important way to celebrate the leadership, innovation, and strength of women in rural industries across the Territory.

“What a fantastic achievement for Kristy Hollis. Her project stands out for its strong community focus and potential to deliver lasting benefits across the Territory,” Mr Maley said.

“She’s following in big footsteps, just last year, NT winner Tanya Egerton took out the national title for her work empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs in remote communities with her Remote OpShop Project.

“I also want to congratulate the other finalists, Barbara Clifford and Nicole Walsh, who also put forward incredible projects and whose work demonstrates the diversity and strength of women leading change in rural and regional areas.”

“Australia’s healthcare system still focuses heavily on treatment over prevention. In regional areas, the cost of chronic disease is profound, economically, socially and emotionally,” she said.

“I believe a respectful, collaborative approach that embraces both traditional and modern medicine can improve outcomes and strengthen whole communities.”