My role is creating a learning network that will foster leaders, build on connections, encourage relationships, share information, innovative ideas and different perspectives, expand networks nationally and develop meaningful partnerships to achieve genuine outcomes. This exciting initiative will support leaders to achieve possibilities greater than can be achieved alone, and help communities to create a future where they will thrive, despite challenging times.
In my spare time, you will find me renovating houses, camping and travelling.
Where does your passion for rural, regional and remote Australia come from?
Having spent most of my early years in the paddock, I would have loved to be a farmer. Instead, my career focus became supporting farmers in any role that would help, which had the added challenge of being a male-dominated industry back then. I was the first female employed in many of my jobs, which made it interesting! However, I wasn’t there to push the gender boundaries, merely to focus on my career goals but I am proud to have helped blaze a trail for females in the ag industry, and my passion for helping farmers and rural communities has not wavered.
What’s your favourite memory or most memorable moment in rural, regional and remote Australia?
My favourite place is immersing myself in the landscape wherever I am, watching the changing colours of sunset, hearing the birds settling in at night, watching rivers flow past and the quiet hum of insects. It is a time when I feel truly alive, I am truly present and where I reflect on so many things I am grateful for.
I grew up in the paddocks of our family grain farm in Mallee – Victoria. It created a lifelong passion and commitment to the agricultural sector and rural communities. With a Bachelor of Applied Science, my diverse experience includes agronomy, grain marketing, agricultural education in an experiential learning environment, and working with peak agricultural industry groups.
What’s your professional background?
I have over 21 years of experience designing, developing, and managing capacity-building programs, ten in the agricultural landscape, and eleven years adapting these to the community service sector.
My career is built on the philosophy that those we serve should be equal collaborators in the design and delivery processes in all that we do. I aim to find ways to walk alongside individuals, groups, and communities to help them achieve their vision and lead connected, meaningful and resilient lives.
Three things you love about working at the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation?
I love being part of the ARLF team as I find my colleagues are absolutely committed to supporting our regional, rural and remote communities to thrive despite the challenges.
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
