NEW graduates from the National Farmers Federation’s NFF’s 2030 Leaders Program were celebrated at the National Arboretum in Canberra last week.
NFF chief executive officer Tony Mahar said the program aimed to provide the leaders with tools and skills that would allow them to confidently step up when leadership opportunities arose.
“Our industry is supported by a pool of phenomenally talented individuals living in rural and regional Australia.
“It’s critical that we invest in their development and provide them with opportunities to engage on industry issues, to ensure that their ideas and passion propel the farm sector forward,” Mr Mahar said.
“The NFF has laid down a challenge to grow our industry to $100 billion by 2030, but we understand that this challenge is much greater than just a dollar figure.
“Growth over the coming decade must be sustainable. It is incumbent on us to lead a strategy that future-proofs our people, our communities, and our environment,” he said.
“I’m again really impressed by the calibre of participants that we’re seeing in the program, and greatly value not only the commitment they’ve shown to their own personal development, but their willingness to give back to industry.”
Bunda Station manager in the Northern Territory and 2019 graduate of the program James Beale said he valued “meeting new people from different backgrounds and being pushed out of his comfort zone.”
Kimberley Pellosis, a graduate agronomist from Naracoorte, South Australia, echoed these sentiments, noting that the ongoing connections she had made would provide her with a “sounding board when we’re developing ideas and thinking about our future”.
The program was run in conjunction with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) in Canberra between September and October 2019.
“The ARLF has a great history of developing leaders within our sector, so we’re pleased to partner with them in this important initiative,” Mr Mahar said.
Hailing from Armatree in New South Wales, Martin Murray said the guidance provided him with an opportunity to develop his “teamwork, public speaking and collaboration skills,” which he believed was crucial for future leadership endeavours.
Allana Ross, from Brisbane, Queensland, said the program provided her with the opportunity to find her voice.
Participants from the 2018 and 2019 program also attended the NFF Leaders’ Summit and NFF 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner held at Parliament House on Monday, 14 October 2019.
“Attending these events, and participating in the program, provides our leaders with an invaluable opportunity to build their networks, hear from industry experts and have their own voices heard,” Mr Mahar said.
The NFF Leaders Program has been made possible through the support of the Commonwealth-funded Leadership in Agriculture Fund.
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