AWI Fibre of Football mascots Fred and Truffles

THE latest woollen garment styles for fashion and the football field will feature at the Agriculture – Heart of Victoria gala dinner at Melbourne’s Central Pier Docklands on June 9.

The dinner will be opened with a parade of the latest wool styles presented by Australian Wool Innovation.

To highlight the diversity and exceptional quality of Australian-grown wool, AWI has prepared six looks from high fashion to AFL player and supporter wear as part of its ‘Fibre of Football’ initiative, for this year’s gala dinner.

Melbourne football icon and country AFL advocate Kevin Sheedy will be the guest speaker at the dinner.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Peter Tuohey said the VFF was thrilled that Australian wool will grace the Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria catwalk.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the quality and talent within our wool industry, and to recognise the important role Australian agriculture plays in the fashion sector.”

Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria chief executive officer Mark O’Sullivan said with Victoria’s agricultural industry contributing $12 billion to the State’s economy, the Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria gala dinner is the ideal opportunity for the sector to unite and celebrate its achievements.”

AWI manager of corporate communications Marius Cuming will join swimming legend and MC Giaan Rooney on stage during the fashion show, providing background on the designs being modelled and insight into AWI’s current initiatives.

Guests at the dinner will be treated to a stunning four-course menu designed by The Atlantic’s chefs to showcase the best of Victorian produce sourced from the state’s producers.

Now in its fourth year, the Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria gala dinner is regarded as the premier event on the Victorian agriculture social calendar. It is presented by the Victorian Farmers Federation and The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, in conjunction with major sponsor Coles.

AgriVictoria’s State of Opportunity Summit on smart farming, investment and bioscience

The dinner will follow the AgriVictoria – State of Opportunity Summit from 9am to 5pm at Melbourne’s Park Hyatt.

One of Australia’s pre-eminent business leaders David Smorgon will be the keynote speaker at the summit; speaking on the value of leadership and communication for creating a winning culture in large organisations through to family businesses.

Chief Executive of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and MC of the summit, Matt Linnegar, said Mr Smorgon would provide a fresh outlook and challenge attendees to think more creatively about how to grow their businesses and the industry.

“The summit is designed to foster new ideas and trigger attendees to think about the opportunities available to Australian agriculture and how they can better position themselves to leverage them – David Smorgon’s presentation will help to trigger this thinking,” Mr Linnegar said.

Mr Smorgonis the executive chairman of Family, Business and Wealth at the professional services firm PwC. He is most well-known for his roles in Smorgon Consolidated Industries, one of Australia’s largest family companies, and for steering the battling AFL club, Western Bulldogs, to survival.

Mr Smorgon will lead a number of high-energy presentations designed to connect people, drive change and boost productivity across Victoria’s $11.6 billion agriculture industry. The program will cover leadership and communication; science, technology and innovation; alternative investment opportunities; investment in technology and process improvement; and funding innovation in agriculture.

The AgriVictoria – State of Opportunity Summit was launched last year to deliver a premium outcomes-focused agribusiness event for Victoria’s agricultural sector. It is the brainchild of a partnership between the VFF, the RASV, ANZ and PwC.

For more information about both events please visit their websites:

• Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria: http://www.heartofvic.com.au/
• AgriVictoria – State of Opportunity Summit: http://www.agrivictoria.com.au/

Tickets can be purchased online from:

• Agriculture: The Heart of Victoria Gala Dinner: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/agriculture-the-heart-of-victoria-2016-tickets-21539045866
• AgriVictoria – State of Opportunity Summit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/agrivictoria-state-of-opportunity-summit-2016-tickets-21544156151

Click here for the AgriVictoria – State of Opportunity Summit program.

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