Alumni stories
Including Unique Perspectives
Growing up in Darwin, cultural immersion was a big part of life for Yola. An Indonesian-Australian of Makassan and Moluccan ethnicity, every aspect of her life was touched by culture.
Boosting Women in Ag Leadership
Grain silos and long days working on the family farm in western Victoria are in the DNA of young agricultural leader, Amy Fay. However, curiosity and adventure are also in
Leading Tasmania’s Forestry Industry Into The Future
Jim Wilson came across the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) at a time when his industry, forestry, and its leadership was regrouping in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis.
Time for change after three droughts in two decades
In her 21 years, Meg Kennett has experienced three severe droughts. She has seen the effect it has on not only farmers and their families, but the land and rural
Mentoring from New South Wales to the Top End
Adelaide born Hugh Dawson has big dreams. And it’s all thanks to a gap year in 2016 on Beetaloo Station, a 10,500 square kilometre cattle property located between Darwin and
Mentorship offers resilience insight for new farmer
Making a ‘tree-change’ was more literal for walnut farmer Sophie Milic than most. She left her corporate communications career behind six months ago to return to her family’s walnut farm
Shepparton drought leader brings community together
Sarah Hardwick – who is participating in the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund Drought Resilience Leaders Development Program – has received a $4,000 Community Engagement Grant to support the “End
Couple prioritise giving to honour ARLP impact
Ross and Edwina Sharrock are in the unique position of both having experienced the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP); Ross graduating from Course 19 in 2013 and Edwina from Course
Resilience comes in all shapes and forms
Resilience in all its shapes and forms has been Paul Ryan’s passion for nearly three decades. As Director of the Australian Resilience Centre, he has a unique perspective based on the science and
Resilience is a well-known trait in outback Australia
Resilience is a well-known trait amongst those who live and work in outback Australia When you’ve spent generations on a pastoral lease in far north South Australia, there’s a number
Milparanga spurs leader to blaze own trail
Going after what you want in life is what led Rhi Parsons to the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s Milparanga Program – an experience that has shaped her vision for the future. “I was looking for something that
Giving to the Foundation investment in the future
Cecily Andersen makes a conscious choice to give as a financial donor to the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation in the same way that she has made a conscious choice to
Suzie Jacobs – Participant Q&A – Drought Resilience Leaders Development Program
Suzie Jacobs is no stranger to coming back from failure and getting help in times of crisis and drought. Despite receiving farm rescue, in 2019, the nurse by trade and
Tom Deery – Applicant Q&A – Drought Resilience Leaders Mentoring Program
Meet the applicants of our Drought Resilience Leaders Development Program in our applicant Q&A. Tom Deery – Mentor What do you do for a living? I’m the operations manager at
Jeff Schuller – Applicant Q&A – Drought Resilience Leaders Mentoring Program
Meet the applicants of our Drought Resilience Leaders Development Program in our applicant Q&A. Jeff Schuller – Mentor What do you do for a living? I’m the operations manager for
Milparanga supports indigenous leadership growth
Ollie Tester was on the lookout for opportunities to build his skills and support career development when he came across the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s Milparanga program. The self-described big-picture
Ag leader drives her own future
Jasmine Boxsell’s career path in agriculture is tied to some of the industry’s oldest institutional heritage. From a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Queensland in Gatton, straight
Graham Loves a Good Analogy
Why would a former ARLP leadership program facilitator choose Against the Wind as a theme for a self-supported, fundraising bicycle tour of over 3,800 km from Canberra to Perth? For
Ag entrepreneur embraces challenges and change
Like many young leaders in agriculture spearheading successful ventures, Tim Eyes envisioned growth and expansion as the natural next steps for his business. But his experience on the Australian Rural
Young farmer on the front foot
On a sheep and cattle property at Currawang, south west of Goulburn, NSW, hard work has been done preparing to hand the farm smoothly from the sixth generation over to
Agribusiness leaders forging their sector’s future
Australian agribusiness is an ambitious sector with its focus on sustainably reaching an economic target of $100 billion. It’s an exciting time for the people and organisations which feed and
Impact of unrestricted scholarships
Unrestricted ARLP scholarships ensure diversity in program participants, and enrich the alumni network across rural and regional Australia. Nuance. It’s a vital part of living and working in regional Australia.
Leadership Impact Case Study: First Nations Australia
With a network of more than 300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander alumni, the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation has provided a platform for some of the boldest and brightest Indigenous
Leadership Impact Case Study: Industry Scholarship
As part of an industry that contributes nearly 30% of the total gross value of agricultural production in Australia, grain producers are nothing if not innovative and demand driven, often
Leadership Impact Case Study: Voices for Indi
Ripples in a pool When you throw a stone into a pool, the ripples continue long after the stone sinks. A single stone generates movement and energy; it can have
Mentorship at the heart of leadership
Tim Collins (mentor) and Oli Le Lievre (mentee) were matched as a part of the 2020 National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Broader Networks Mentoring Program, delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership
THE RURAL WOMAN – SURVEY
ARLF Fellow and ARLP C17 Graduate Rebel Black’s company THE Rural Woman, co-hosted a roundtable with Economic Security for Women last week – focused specifically on understanding the unique challenges
Edwina Sharrock receives Order of Australia Medal
Edwina Sharrock OAM was awarded an Order of Australia Medal at the recent Australia Day Awards for her contribution to the health sector. This is her story. Edwina Sharrock, ARLP
ARLP insights follow Indonesian leader on Fulbright journey
The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation is fortunate to work with many inspiring leaders and experts overseas. Not only do they exchange valuable knowledge with our own leaders, representing often-connected industries
Rob Bailey – Young Agribusiness Leader of the Year
ROB BAYLEY, Blackwood Piggery Blackwood Piggery was established in the 1980’s, with Rob Bayley taking over management of the piggery business seven years ago. A highly respected leader at a
Donate to our Christmas appeal
Please donate to our Christmas Appeal in support of an Alumni Scholarship to be awarded to an Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) candidate. We have already raised $15,000 towards a
Sam Archer joins ARLF
When I stepped off the plane at Kununurra to start ARLP Course 22 little did I realise what lay ahead. At the time I was managing the family farm, heavily
Ready to be empowered
“You don’t get to sit in circles like that every day,” Emma Hickey says, as she reflects on the people she has met and been inspired by as part of
How Quinton found his interest in politics and data
For Quinton Vea Vea, saying ‘yes’ to the Milparanga Program sparked a “massive shift” in his sense of purpose, and his way of looking at the world around him. “I
Grant Cameron joins our team
Grant Cameron and is a graduate of the Milparanga leadership program. His role involves managing leadership programs, working closely with participants to challenge and develop their communication and advocacy skills.
Driving change
By Dodie Henderson, Rural Room Media Stringer Viewed from the air, Western Australia’s Kimberley region is an endless expanse of terracotta red with an overlay of eucalyptus green. Its seemingly smooth landscape
Leadership for our Regions Program makes a difference
By Megan Woodward, Rural Room Media Stringer For current and aspiring leaders in regional and rural Australia, holding a title can be daunting yet necessary, both as an individual and
Sue Jolliffe – The great re-calibration to finding our better and new normal, without losing who we truly are
Recently, who I am was significantly challenged by a complete stranger who suggested selling our dairy farm in the current environment was a good opportunity to capitalise on our asset.
Bec Bignell – Founding a remote creative agency
A childhood in the bush presents the ideal opportunity to cultivate an active imagination and fully immerse in creative opportunities. The wide-open spaces and vivid shape shifting, nature of regional
Grant Melrose – ARLP 24 reunites
I often think about my friends and families that live in the ‘big smoke’ – living where and how I once knew as my standard daily life to be, but now
Top 3 TRAIL takeaways
Last year I was fortunate enough to be a participant in the TRAIL: Emerging Leaders Program. Having worked for the Foundation for only a few months at the time, I
Anna Carr – Be-cause, at cause, we cause!
Rewind 6 years: I never imagined I would find myself in an ancient wide, shallow, and very rocky valley – clearly an old river system – without water. I was walking in a group,
Zoe Routh – How attached are you to your point of view?
I remember Barb Grey (ARLP 15) saying about her course experience, “If you told me a year ago that as a cotton farmer I would become best buddies with an
Leadership journey with evolving style
One of the great surprises of Stuart Crosthwaite’s Melbourne university years was being elected president of his hometown cricket club in north-east Victoria. As a dairy farming teenager “too shy
Anika Molesworth – Homeward Bound
Post-voyage reflection – By Anika Molesworth It has been quite an extraordinary start to 2020 – extreme heat, dust-storms, drought and bushfire smoke – have been events that many of
The future in our hands
No matter how hard I have tried to escape the bush, I can’t. Years away at boarding school, university, attempts at establishing a career in town were all clustered in
Rural Tongue Twister
I recently came across a list of the 10 most difficult words to say. You can argue what should be in or out, but here’s the list as it appeared
Driving home with Reg…
It’s our afternoon ritual. As early as 4am or as late as 7pm in the evening the familiar iPhone shudder in my pocket prompts me to answer. “Lockie how are
Waiting, Waiting, Waiting…by Jen Wressell
It feels like we have been waiting for a long time now, but it’s really only been a few weeks since our lives changed, in a major way. Stage 3
Leader focused on new frontiers for wool
Being ‘on the front foot’ is how Stacey Lugsdin and her family have to be, running their sheep property, Toyota dealership and newly acquired rural service station in the Riverina
It’s all in the book
Graham Smith | Manager, Programs | ARLF I’ve had the good fortune of working with the ARLF for the past six years in several roles including Program Director, and as
Creating a new normal
Philippa Woodhill | Director, Partnerships | ARLF As the health emergency has gone from one of voyeuristic nature to one of living immersion, I have been struck by the examples
Jane Milburn – Leadership is an action & arises from disruption
Jane Milburn | ARLP 16 We are all being called upon to stay safe and adapt as the world faces profound changes due to the coronavirus pandemic and everyone’s life,
From the frontline
Alex Dunn | ARLP 24 My name is Alex Dunn, and I am a member of ARLP C24. I work as a doctor in regional QLD, in both the community
A COVID-19 travel story
Anna Butcher | ARLP 13 Don’t be complacent, this is serious. EVERYBODY STAY HOME. Wash your hands. Obey the health directives. This is really important for ALL of us. Covid-19
Graham Smith rides against the wind
Program Manager, Graham Smith plans to ride across Australia to raise funds for ARLF. Working at the ARLF, and seeing first hand the positive difference it makes to people, has
Suanne Sands – Finding the confidence to lead
“I’ve always known what I wanted to do,” Suanne Sands reflects, half-way through her Milparanga experience. “But I had no idea what to expect from the program. What I’ve come
Tanya Stevenson – Collaboration is Key to Transforming Regions
Project development was the highlight of her experience taking part in the Leadership for our Regions program.
Alana Johnson – Receives Distinguished Alumni Award
Alana is recognised nationally and internationally for her work in rural development, women’s advancement, leadership and community activism.
Sanjeeta Singh – Putting People First
“People are our business and we have a responsibility for their safety and welfare.”
Alumni Connecting
A strong attribute of the Australian Rural Leadership Program is the opportunity to network and learn with professionals from a diversity of rural industries. Australian College of Rural and Remote
Andy Kidd thrives after completing agribusiness leadership course
Senior Agribusiness Manager of the Westpac Tamworth branch, Andy Kidd, recognises that cultivating trust and valuing people are key aspects to success in his job.
Tim Ferraro – Making the Plan Happen
General Manager of Soil Conservation Service, Tim Ferraro, is about to undertake his biggest project to date.
People are the Difference
At this year’s Annual Gala Dinner we celebrated the theme ‘People are the Difference’.
Lyn French: Bringing it Back to the Outback
Lyn French has transformed regional isolation into an opportunity for increased educational support and luxury outback tourism.
Lisa Dwyer: Never Waste a Crisis
The dairy and live export industries are two of the most turbulent and highly publicised industries in agriculture today, and Lisa Dwyer is leading the charge in both of them.
(In)Visible Farmer
“It’s no good sitting around complaining about something if you’re not prepared to get up and help fix it.” The Dowden family, from Challa Station, have a long history of
The ARLP Impact: Unlocking Authenticity and Fuelling Advocacy
It may have been the lure of large machinery that drew John Durham from his sheep-farming roots into the cotton industry, but it’s a passion for the fibre…
Helen Jenkins – Two Steps Forward, None Going Back
Nobody else is doing what Helen Jenkins, recent graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, is doing within the seafood industry.
“It’s a Gift”: Wool Industry Leader on the ARLP
Bookham farmer, David Young, is at the tail-end of his incredible experience with Course 25 of the ARLP, sponsored by the Australian Wool Innovation.
A Grains Leader’s Inclusive Approach to Sustained Change
As both a representative of the grains industry, and a grain producer himself, David is optimistic about the next generation of leaders.
C25 participant calls on fellow Alumni to impact Indonesia
Eastern Indonesia suffers the highest levels of poverty and malnutrition along with the lowest levels of education in the nation. It is also home to one of the largest National
Ingrain in the Grains: Caroline Rhodes
A chief advocate for enabling people to succeed within the grain industry, Caroline has established the GPSA Emerging Leaders Program.
Safeguarding the Australian Pork Industry with Proactive Leadership
Rhys Collins, Executive General Manager at SunPork Fresh Foods, has big plans to ensure the sustainability and value of Australian pork.
Fiona Gaske’s Ballet Experience in Indonesia
Prior to our International block and travelling to the Archipelago, I saw a Facebook post about a very talented ballerina from Indonesia. The story explained that the ballerina came from
Prizing the People Behind the Process
Red meat industry leader Melissa Fletcher grew up ‘taking the lead’ for herself; pursuing exactly what she wanted to learn and do. Now, she leads for others, working hard to
A liberated leader: Catherine Marriott
From confident cattle industry leader, to so much more, Catherine Marriott reflects on what she has learned since taking part in course 17 of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, and
Knowing Your Purpose To Choose Your Path
Professor Jacinta Elston took part in Course 20 of the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) almost five years ago, but it sowed seeds that have led her to say ‘yes’
Leading for Climate Action
From Young Farmer of the Year in 2015, to a participant on the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s Rice Growers’ Association – Emerging Leaders Program in 2018, Anika Molesworth has her
Developing agribusiness leaders
Shane Bodiam reflects on the Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program (AALP) he undertook last year and how it was about the journey, not the outcome. Like most participants, finding time in his
25 years of investing in people
Mike Logan reflects on the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) and how it was key to his proudest achievement. Mike is graduate of the first ARLP intake in 1993. He
How Krysteen found courage and focus
Krysteen McElroy is a recent graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP), hailing from Padthaway, South Australia. She is a partner in a mixed farming operation and a leader
