Carol Mudford is what we call in Australia a ‘doer’ - someone who sees a need and gets to it.

And now everyone knows, following the recent announcement of the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, which saw Carol take home the national title.

She was recognised for her vision, commitment and leadership in the shearing industry focusing on mental healthcare.

Carol, a registered nurse, decided to take a turn down a different path and started shearing and wool handling, even competing in state and national events, where she fell in love with the people and industry.

It wasn’t until the shearing industry lost three shearers in one week to suicide, one a young bloke she had worked with, that Carol decided something needed to be done for the industry she put her heart and soul into.

Carol Mudford pictured at the Awards ceremony with sHedway Board Sarah Trebley, Taya Evans, Carol Mudford (wearing Smitten Merino) Correne Horenko [Image supplied]

In 2023 Carol launched sHedway, a grassroots charity dedicated to suicide prevention aiming for positive mental health in the Australian shearing industry.

In its first year, sHedway, delivered 48 events across Australia, providing the opportunity for support and the chance to share honest, forthright discussions, to two years later running multiple events every week.

“It will take a few days, I’m sure, for the feelings to sink in,’ said Carol after her win.

National Award runner up Isabella Thrupp with National winner Carol Mudford [Image AgriFutures]

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award is such a bigger experience than I first realised, and what an amazing alumni network of incredible women from across Australia doing good work for their communities while proactively supporting each other.

“To see the short film of our story from the shearing sheds projected on to the big screen inside Parliament House was quite something, and I was so proud to stand onstage in an Australian made and owned woollen dress (Smitten Merino Tasmania).

“I genuinely encourage every woman doing good work for rural Australia to apply.

“I am very grateful for the amazing opportunity to share our sHedway story, remind Australians to buy and wear our incredible Australian wool, and to show everyone in the shearing sheds that we are seen, valued and cared about.

“I hope that everyone in the sheds and those who support sHedway sees this award as a win for all of us.

Moorambilla Voices Choir ready to sing at Parliament House for AgriFutures gala dinner [Image Moorambilla]

The Western area was more than ably represented at the AgriFutures event, with students from the western area performing at the Gala Dinner.

“Moorambilla Voices had the privilege of performing at the 2025 AgriFutures Dinner at Parliament House in Canberra, to an audience of over 500 people there to celebrate the extraordinary women driving positive change across rural and regional Australia,” said Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor Michelle Leonard.

Cobar student Jasmine Livingstone and Cobar alumni Macee Brown were part of the group of singers to hit the stage along with nine other regional singers.

Moorambilla Voices Choir performing at AgriFutures gala dinner [Image Moorambilla Voices]

“Huge congratulations to National Winner Carol Mudford (sHedway - NSW/ACT) and National Runner Up Isabella Thrupp (Prinking in Pindan - WA), along with all the incredible finalists whose vision, leadership and dedication are transforming rural communities across Australia,” said Ms Leonard.

“What an experience for our performers - to stand on that stage at Parliament House, voices raised together, sharing the power of music with such an inspiring audience. These are the moments that stay with you forever.

“So proud of every single young person who performed. You were absolutely magnificent,” said Ms Leonard.