The tragic loss of her best friend to skin cancer and her sister Shona Larkin’s melanoma diagnosis motivated Angie Nisbet to tackle the dangers of the harsh Australian sun.
On Thursday, the fifth-generation grazier and mother of three was named the 2026 Queensland AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner.
Angie Nisbet was excited to have her work recognised. (Supplied: AgriFutures Australia)
She was recognised for her skin-protection advocacy work and for co-founding FarmHer Hands, which makes colourful UPF 50+ sun-safe gloves for farmers.
“I lost my best friend to skin cancer, so we just saw such screaming alarm bells that there needed to be something done,” Ms Nisbet said.
Shona Larkin and Angie Nisbet founded FarmHer Hands to provide sun-safe gloves. (Supplied: Angie Nisbet)
In December 2023, the sisters, who raise cattle and goats with their husbands on a remote property in north-west Queensland, came up with the concept of designing sun-protection gloves.
“I guess we saw a gap in the market and we saw that everyone was wearing hats, work shirts, jeans,” Ms Nisbet said.
“But our tools of the trade, which are our hands, were not being protected.”
Angie Nisbet says FarmHer Hands gloves are designed to be both fun and functional. (Supplied: Angie Nisbet)
Prevention the key
Australia has the world’s highest melanoma rate, with skin cancer killing one person every 6 hours and 16,800 people expected to be diagnosed this year.
Melanoma Institute Australia figures show that 95 per cent of melanomas were caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun.
Australians are encouraged to have their skin checked regularly for melanoma. (ABC News: Peter Gunders)
Ms Nisbet said prevention by protection was key in rural and regional Australia, where skin checks were harder to access.
“It needs to be spoken about,” Ms Nisbet said.
“There need to be conversations at the dining room table.
“It needs to be encouraged to give that first-year jackaroo or jillaroo some gloves or an option at least to cover up and look after themselves.”
Flood challenges
The grazier said she was lucky to make the flight to Brisbane to attend the awards, while her sister, who survived stage two melanoma, worked their livestock at home.
Angie Nisbet and Shona Larkin on Landsborough Downs. (Supplied: Angie Nisbet)
Since December, the main road to Landsborough Downs, 80 kilometres south of Hughenden, has been cut by floodwater.
Trucks haven’t been able to reach their home-based sun-protection business.
“We’ve been relying on the kind gestures of people, choppers going into town, to get parcels out,” Ms Nisbet said.
“I think a lot of people want to back rural-based businesses, and we really appreciate that.”
Flooding near Landsborough Downs. (Supplied: Angie Nisbet)
Recognition for rural women
AgriFutures Australia managing director, Brianna Casey AM, said the award recognised women who turn lived experiences into practical solutions.
“Angie’s work shows how a deep personal experience can lead to meaningful change for entire communities,” Ms Casey said.
Angie Nisbet is also a podcaster. (Supplied: Angie Nisbet)
“The gloves are such a great conversation starter,” Ms Nisbet said.
“The patterns are really bright and fun, and I think that’s really important, especially when you’re out 12 hours a day mustering cattle, or out in the hot sun.”
Ms Nisbet received $15,000 to develop online resources to make preventative skin care more accessible in the bush.
She will represent Queensland at the national awards in September.
The Queensland AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award finalists. (Supplied: AgriFutures Australia)
In a statement, Queensland Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett recognised the significant contributions of all four state finalists.
Alyson Shepherd, Jaime Best, and Sam Musson each received a $2,000 bursary to recognise their achievements.
“The Rural Women’s Award provides an important platform to celebrate the extraordinary women who are a driving force behind our rural and regional communities,” the minister said.
Angie Nisbet says the UPF 50+ gloves are colourful. (Supplied)
Ms Nisbet, who also produces the Married to the Land podcast, said she was excited about the experience.
“AgriFutures has this incredible network of women that opens up so many doors and pathways and connections,” Ms Nisbet said.
“I’m so grateful.”
