Alumni stories

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. […]

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 […]

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.  […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 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 […]

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 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

“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 […]

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 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. […]

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.  […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 | 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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

“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 […]

Project development was the highlight of her experience taking part in the Leadership for our Regions program.

Alana is recognised nationally and internationally for her work in rural development, women’s advancement, leadership and community activism.

“People are our business and we have a responsibility for their safety and welfare.”

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 […]

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.

General Manager of Soil Conservation Service, Tim Ferraro, is about to undertake his biggest project to date.

At this year’s Annual Gala Dinner we celebrated the theme ‘People are the Difference’.

Lyn French has transformed regional isolation into an opportunity for increased educational support and luxury outback tourism.

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.

“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 […]

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…

Nobody else is doing what Helen Jenkins, recent graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, is doing within the seafood industry.

As both a representative of the grains industry, and a grain producer himself, David is optimistic about the next generation of leaders.

A chief advocate for enabling people to succeed within the grain industry, Caroline has established the GPSA Emerging Leaders Program.

Rhys Collins, Executive General Manager at SunPork Fresh Foods, has big plans to ensure the sustainability and value of Australian pork.

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 […]

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 […]

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’ […]

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 […]