Grace Brennan, Buy from the Bush founder, named as NSW Regional Woman of the Year

The Buy from the Bush initiative started in October 2019 as a way to help drought-affected businesses. It has since resulted in a $5 million revenue uplift for participating regional businesses.

Speaking on the one year anniversary of the initiative, Ms Brennan said there had "always been a fondness and an affection for the bush from the city", but with social media it is easier to "tap into the connection".

"When times are challenging, like drought, bushfires and COVID, I think people are looking for ways to, I would say, have an impact or create change and Buy from the Bush has been an easy mechanism for that to happen," she said.

"People know that when they shop through Buy from the Bush and when they support these bush businesses, money is flowing back into communities at a time that community really needs support from outside."

Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders has congratulated Ms Brennan for taking out one of the top NSW Women of the Year Awards.

"Buy from the Bush helped to save struggling businesses across the state during a really tough time," said Mr Saunders.

"Grace is a true role model and a credit to our community. This accolade is richly deserved."

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor congratulated Grace and said she had shown admirable strength and resilience to help others who were doing it tough.

"Grace's story is quite incredible, she started #buyfromthebush from her kitchen table while pregnant with her fourth child and led the charge in effecting positive change for regional and rural NSW."

Dubbo's Joh Leader, Lucy Samuels and Lucy Taylor were all finalists in the Women of the Year awards.