dame raigh edith roe ("née" kurts; 12 december 1922 – november 2014) was an australian farmer. she was an advocate for rural women in australia and around the world. she was member of the country women's association (cwa) from 1941. she held many roles in the cwa before becoming the national president. she was world president of the associated country women of the world (acww) from 1977 to 1980. in this role, she represented almost nine million women in 74 countries around the world. in 1977, she was named australian of the year with sir murray tyrrell. in 1978, she became a commissioner for the australian broadcasting commission (abc). in 1980, she was made a dame commander of the order of the british empire (dbe).