Melissa Duniam is striving to ensure Australian workplaces are healthier and more productive through her design of facilitated equine workshops. The Tasmanian winner of the 2023 Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award was shocked by statistics released by Australian mental health support organisation, Beyond Blue that say one in five Australians have taken time off work for anxiety, depression and mental health challenges - while an astonishing 46 per cent consider their work place to be mentally unhealthy.

Melissa is a dairy farmer, business consultant and an Equine Assisted Learning facilitator - helping companies and their employees communicate better whilst learning to work alongside horses through her business, Leading Rein.

It’s a passion that Melissa never knew could be a career – and was sparked by a transformative crossroads moment in 2016, after suffering a devastating farm accident.