It was with great excitement that I met our newest alumni and attended the graduation ceremony of our latest crop of TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program graduates in Canberra in mid March. We welcomed 29 new alumni into the alumni network – all buzzing after their time on program.
Listening to some of the participants reflect on their program experience, I am again struck by the power of our programs and their ability push people into their stretch zones.
Thanks also to the local Canberra based alumni who helped us welcome our new graduates into the network.
A second thanks to all of those who attended alumni gatherings hosted in Dubbo and Alice Springs in March. Fostering connections across the network within local communities is what are keen to do more of!
Plus, we hosted a joint networking gathering with the Tasmanian Leaders alumni network in Penguin (just west of Devonport) – at a ‘Meet the Makers’ dinner, a locally inspired experience with Tasmanian producers and industry leaders sharing their journeys, challenges and innovations. We love our connection with Ange Driver and her Tassie Leaders team as we work together to provide opportunities for leaders connected to both our organisations to connect.
Upcoming events
Castlemain (VIC)
We are working to connect local alumni in Central Victoria alongside a Changemaker Workshop being delivered in Castlemaine on April 10th from 5pm. See below for more.
When: Thursday, 10 April
Time: 5.00pm – 7.00pm
Where: Shedshaker Brewery
Cost: $20 per head (includes nibbles & share plates – drinks are on you!)
Kapunda (SA)
As part of ARLP cohort 31’s session 3 in Kapunda (just north of Adelaide) there’ll be an ARLF alumni and Community Event held on the afternoon of Thursday, 10 April. Local stakeholders, alumni and others connected to the cohort, and our broader network will gather to share afternoon tea, participate in a leadership activity and learn about the Cohort 31’s project initiatives. A networking dinner will be held in the evening where we will honour Alumi who’ve passed in the last little while.
If you keen to know more and would like to attend, (maybe you are travelling Adelaide for the AFL’s annual Gather Round that weekend!) reach out to julias@rural-leders.org.au.
Canberra (ACT)
When: Saturday, 10 May
Time: 7.00am – 8.30 am
Where: Lonsdale Café, Braddon
Cost: $20 per head
Network news
Vale Torres Webb
We were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Fellow Torres Webb in late February. A proud First Nations man from the Torres Strait (Erub, Darnley Island), he was a graduate of Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP ) Course 18 was only 25 years old when he undertook the program.
The ARLP was a significant launch pad for his contributions in the years that followed. He was a huge supporter of the Foundation and we were lucky enough to have his story connect with ours. He was generous with his time, energy and knowledge. The world is so much better because he was here.
Superstar fundraisers continue to shine
Graham Smith is literally on his bike as you read this, peddling furiously as he takes on his annual bike riding adventure to help fundraise for the Foundation. This year riding from Canberra to Hobart, he made it Deniliquin over the weekend to attend the launch of the Bruce Simpson Scholarship Fund before continuing his journey south.
Read more about his ride or donate here
Donna Digby has announced her line up of leaders who will each be walking on the 2nd Territory Connect 2025 Leadership in Larapinta FUNdraising Walk!
Last year walkers and their networks raised over $53,000 to fund an ARLP scholarship for a Central Australian leader. This leader will start their ARLP journey in June.
And now, a new group of walkers are looking to raise the funds for another NT leader to join the ARLP in 2026! And this year, we have as two ARLF Staff joining the challenge – Learning Manager Werner Vogels and… me!
Both of us choosing this as a personal challenge, but as staff members, we both see and understand the positive and ongoing impacts of a program such as the ARLP every day and so super keen to get behind Donna, support this cause and walk a few thousand steps on Country in Alice with a group of super people. Who could want more!
Small acts matter. If you’re keen to donate, here’s the link!
Celebrating leadership appointments in the Torres Strait
We were excited to see Dauareb man and Fellow of the Foundation, Charlie Kaddy, appointed by the Federal Government as the new Chief Executive of the Torres Strait Regional Authority in early February for a three-year term.
Additionally, we are thrilled to see two ARLF alumni elected to the Torres Strait Regional Authority Board, Regina Turner (ARLP 22) and Danie Savage (Torres Strait Women’s Leadership Program 2017).
Congratulations to all on your new appointments!
Building wellbeing into regional decision-making
As part of their project work back in 2021, ARLP Cohort 26 were keen to advocate for a wellbeing-focused approach for regional Australia and supported Dr Jacki Schirmer from the University of Canberra in the creation of a ‘regional wellbeing index’.
It’s fantastic to see this idea now growing, with a targeted project being rolled out in Victoria. ALRF Fellow Stuart Crosthwaite, member of Cohort 26, is a key driver and Chair of the Steering Committee.
This new research project, led by the University of Canberra in collaboration with the University of Southern Queensland and funded by the Gardiner Foundation, is set to transform how regional communities approach wellbeing. The Regional Wellbeing Project is working with leaders in three Victorian communities to develop localised wellbeing frameworks that prioritise factors beyond economic success such as social connections, access to services and resilience to natural disasters.
At the same time, another significant initiative is pushing for urgent action on mental health in agriculture. A coalition of more than 30 rural and healthcare organisations, including ARLF alumni, is calling for a $50 million federal investment to address the mental health crisis disproportionately affecting farmers.
With statistics revealing that a farmer dies by suicide every ten days – up to twice the rate of the general working population – this coalition is advocating for farmer-friendly, evidence-based solutions.
The initiative is being supported by NFF President and Fellow David Jochinke. Fellow and Associate Professor Kate Gunn, a clinical psychologist and founder of ifarmwell, based at the University of South Australia, is also part of the coalition and has endorsed the need for urgent action.
“There is an urgent need for coordinated, farmer-friendly, evidence-based approaches to address this critical issue,” Assoc. Prof. Gunn said.
These two projects are just a snapshot of the incredible work being done by our alumni across regional Australia. Whether it’s shaping community wellbeing frameworks or pushing for systemic change in mental health support, ARLF graduates continue to demonstrate the power of leadership in tackling some of the biggest challenges facing rural and regional communities. And we couldn’t be prouder.
Alumni in the spotlight
Fellow Edwina Sharrock features in one of the latest episodes on the Manson Podcasting Network, a rural lifestyle podcast from regional Australia, hosted by Skye Manson.
Edwina shares insights on her recent experience of career transition. “I think many people will get something out of listening to this – particularly those growing a business, caring for family, going through a significant career or life transition, becoming or engaging a mentor or coach, or considering buying a Spoodle!” says Edwina.
You can listen here.
Speaking of Edwina, it was fantastic to connect her with Fellow Jen Smith. Based in Victoria, Jen recently took 20 farmers from the Gippsland Ag Group to Tamworth on a farm study tour and was eager to connect with local alumni. Edwina joined the group to share her insights, highlighting the shared challenges between the agriculture and health sectors in regional Australia.
This is just one example of how our network continues to forge and strengthen connections – demonstrating the impact that comes from leaning into the ARLF alumni community!
