We have some exciting events and opportunities lined up for our ARLF alumni network! From the launch of our new Lunch & Learn series to in-person gatherings across the country, there are plenty of chances to reconnect, learn, and engage with the ARLF alumni network.
Whether you’re joining us for a virtual session or an in-person event, we’ve got something for everyone. Plus, don’t miss out on upcoming industry conferences and awards, where ARLF alumni are making waves. Read on for all the details!
Join our Lunch & Learn series
We’re excited to finally launch our ARLF Lunch & Learn series— a virtual learning session designed for our ARLF alumni network.
These sessions will run for bi-monthly for one hour, offering you a regular opportunity to gain fresh insights into leadership and connect with fellow alumni. We’re keen to celebrate alumni who identify an issue or gap in their communities, and ask themselves ‘If not me, then who?’.
Nominate a topic or speaker
As we continue to plan for future Lunch and Learns sessions for 2025, we’d love to hear your ideas! If you have suggestions for topics or speakers, please share them with us—we’re always looking for inspiration and ways to keep supporting the ongoing learning of our alumni.
Lunch & Learn session one
Our first Lunch & Learn will feature Leading Australian Resilient Communities (Wide Bay) alum Tanya Stevenson. Join us as we explore Tanya’s incredible determination to improve literacy levels for kids in her community through the ‘Read Bear’ project.
Date: Thursday 14 November
Time: 1.00pm AEST
Cost: Free for alumni
Alumni gatherings
Melbourne
We’re excited to announce an alumni gathering in Melbourne, thanks to the fantastic initiative of alumni Andrew Monk and Brianna Casey AM. At this event, Brianna, CEO of Foodbank, will share her insights into driving policy and tax reform to address food waste—an issue of national importance.
It’s a great opportunity to reconnect with your local ARLF alumni network, enjoy drinks and nibbles, and learn from Brianna’s valuable advocacy work.
Date: Wednesday, 23rd October
Time: 6.00pm – 7:30pm AEST
Location: Level 6, 627 Chapel St, South Yarra
Cost: $25 per head (tickets limited)
*We’re also planning a similar gathering with Brianna in Sydney later in November, so stay tuned for more details.
Toowoomba, QLD
If you’re based in Toowoomba, don’t miss our upcoming gathering. This event, inspired by local alumni, will be a chance to connect with other alumni as well as ARLF’s National Learning Network Manager, Louise Adcock.
Date: Thursday, 14th November
Time: 5:30pm – 7.00pm AEST
Location: 153 Margaret St, Toowoomba City
Cost: $20 per head (nibbles and share plates included)
Reconnect with your cohort
We understand the importance of staying connected with the people who’ve shared similar experiences and journeys. That’s why we continue to offer opportunities for cohort groups within our ARLF alumni network to reconnect and catch up via Zoom.
We’ll set up the meeting and get it started, then leave you to enjoy a relaxed chat with your cohort. Take up this chance to reconnect. Reach out to me at julias@rural-leaders.org.au and I can help make it happen.
Opportunities
Rural Women’s Award winner announced – applications open for 2025
Congratulations to Tanya Egerton, this year’s National winner of the 2024 Rural Women’s Award! Based in the NT, Tanya is dedicated to empowering the entrepreneurial aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across remote Australia. Through her role as founder and CEO of Circulanation, Tanya has spearheaded the development of the Remote Opshop Project.
Applications for the 2025 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award are now open. It might be you applying.. or it could be for someone you know!! Apply here.
Seafood Directions – Futures of Seafood Forum
Seafood Directions is the premier ideas, innovation and networking event for the Australian seafood industry. The national forum provides an opportunity to promote the seafood industry, discuss industry issues, workshop solutions, teach best practices, share knowledge, and plan for the future of the seafood industry.
September 10 – 12, Hobart, Tas. Register now.
Australian Women in Agriculture – Celebrating 30 years
Australian Women in Ag (AWIA) ‘Seeds to Success’ National conference is being held later this month, September 24-26 in Albury/Wodonga. Members of the ARLF alumni network presenting at this conference include Cathy McGowan, Alana Johnson and Donna Digby. There’s also a strong contingent of ARLP C30 participants (soon to be Alum) with Sallie Jones, Jen Medway and Natalie Sommerville (Natalie is the current AWIA President) all playing a role in the conference.
Good luck to all involved!
