Hi, I’m Graham Smith, formerly a Program Manager at the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) and currently an Honorary Fellow of the Foundation.
The seven years I worked at the ARLF were the most inspiring, interesting, and educational years I’ve experienced in over 40 years of professional work in many different fields.
Being actively engaged in the theory and practice of leadership development for seven years at the ARLF was challenging, rewarding and hugely inspiring. By far the best part of the job was working closely with hundreds of wonderful people from rural, regional and remote communities.
One of the many things I learned in the role was that leadership development constantly requires us to keep moving forward. Adapting to constant change is an essential component of the learning process and inherent in leadership development.
And of course, fundraising by long-distance cycling requires one to keep moving forward.
This long ride beginning in March will be a metaphor for just one aspect of many facets of leadership development.
The positive impact of the people I worked with at the ARLF is so enduring that I’ve felt deeply committed to continuing to support the ARLF long after I retired.
Hence this plan to cycle from Canberra to Hobart to raise funds and awareness for the ARLF, and more specifically, to support The Bruce Simpson Scholarship Fund – honouring Bruce Simpson, a passionate advocate for rural Australia and the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) C7.
Bruce dedicated his life to empowering his community and the agricultural sector. With his sudden passing following an anaphylactic reaction in early 2024, his family partnered with the ARLF to create a $2 million perpetual fund to ensure that Bruce’s commitment lives on by providing an annual scholarship to a promising individual from the rural sector to undertake the ARLP and develop critical leadership skills.
Serendipity and the Simpson brothers
One of the first people I met when I began working at the ARLF in 2014 was the wonderful Bruce Simpson, an alum one of the very first iterations of the ARLP. Bruce was incredibly generous with his time, his wisdom, and his willingness to introduce me to helpful people in the Riverina region of southern NSW. Bruce’s support helped me develop leadership programs which in turn helped many others.
For 14 years prior to joining the ARLF, I worked at Questacon- the National Science and Technology Centre. A major part of my job was managing outreach programs to rural, regional and remote communities all across Australia. We relied on corporate sponsors for these national programs which reached several hundred thousand people annually, and I was responsible for retaining the major sponsorship.
Serendipity, yet again played an important role because the person from a generous, socially responsible corporate sponsor I worked most closely with for about 14 years was a Mr John Simpson. Yes – the brother of Bruce Simpson.
It is indeed a small world.
Hence my plan to cycle from Canberra to Hobart to help raise funds for The Bruce Simpson Scholarship Fund.
In part, my motivation is to acknowledge the kind support that Bruce and John Simpson gave me at different times in different jobs over two decades.
The plan
Here’s what I’m committing to.
On Sunday 23 March, I’ll be cycling fully self-supported from Canberra to Hobart via Deniliquin (Bruce Simpson’s hometown).
I’ll be pedalling hard to get to Deniliquin by Saturday 29 March – in time for the official launch of the Bruce Simpson Scholarship. If all goes to plan, I should arrive in Hobart on approximately Sunday 13 April.
The total trip will see me riding 1200 km across four states and take approximately three weeks, including the ferry from Geelong to Devonport.
I’m riding for a purpose but need your help to get me over the line.
When pedalling comes to shove
I know people don’t have endless money to spare, especially in the current climate. But if you’re passionate about creating equal leadership opportunities in rural, regional, and remote Australia, your support can make a real difference.
Even a few dollars fuels a fund that grows with the rural sector’s needs, equipping future leaders with resilience and innovation. What’s better than that?
If you’re not in a position to donate, please share the details of the Bruce Simpson Scholarship through your channels and help us raise awareness about the incredible legacy Bruce’s family is gifting to rural Australia.
