Jo Palmer, The Rock, set up Go Remote which connects rural professionals to jobs that can be filled remotely.

Deniliquin’s Hayley Purbrick is the person behind Smart Small Towns, a program “about empowering individuals who live in small towns to solve their own problems rather than relying on external agencies”.

Albury cattle farmers Tim and Tegan Hick, and friend Sam Marwood formed Cultivate Farms; an enterprise aimed at overcoming the high costs of owning and running a farm.

The Lightbulb Moments program aims to support individuals, community organisations and businesses across regional Australia to turn their ideas into reality.

It also has backing from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and Prime7.

Finalists were selected by a judging panel of five.

"I congratulate all of the individuals and organisations that submitted project ideas, each looking at ways to make rural communities even better and stronger,” Minister for Regional Development, Fiona Nash, a judge on the panel, said.

The top 10 entries receive dedicated project development and communications support from the Regional Australia Institute.

Additionally, the FRRR will provide finalists with assistance to identify fundraising strategies that can support their project goals.

The national winner, announced in June, will get their own TV ad and Airtime Support Package.

The top-10 finalists: