Dairy Australia : Developing Australia’s Future Dairy Leaders

April 31, 2014 at 11:28 pm

MarketScreener.com By

Wednesday 26 March 2014 | From Dairy Australia

Sixteen aspiring dairy industry leaders have commenced the 2014 Developing Dairy Leaders Program to build their skills in dairy industry policy, regulation and decision-making.

Developed by Dairy Australia and Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), the program aims to build the leadership skills of people who are committed to the future of the Australian dairy industry and who have been identified to have the potential for future state-level industry leadership roles.

This year's program is aligned to the leadership programs of dairy organisations Bonlac Supply Company/Fonterra and Dairy Farmers Milk Co-operative and involves a diverse group of participants including farmers, farm managers, and service providers from across Australia's dairy regions.

Delivered by the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia (NCDEA), the program commenced last week with a five-day residential in Melbourne with state and national industry leaders.

Participants will learn how to articulate, present and debate ideas, provide advocacy representation, participate as a member of a board, participate in a media interview, lead and manage community or industry organisations and manage personal work priorities.

ADF President Noel Campbell said that the program was a key activity in supporting the development of the dairy industry's next generation of leaders, and that the dedication and willingness of participants to put something back into their industry was inspiring.

"It is very encouraging to see a group of farmers so keen to build on their dairy careers, which just goes to show the future of our industry is in extremely good hands,"Mr Campbell said.

The next phase of the program will involve a regionally based project with the support of an industry-leading mentor, and will conclude in June with a four-day residential in Canberra, where participants will learn about advocacy and policy development at a national level.

Dairy Australia Industry People and Capability Group Manager Shane Hellwege said that the 2014 program had attracted passionate people from across the industry.

"The Developing Dairy Leaders Program has attracted a great group of people who are enthusiastic to build their dairy careers into future leadership positions," Mr Hellwege said.

"It's great to offer a program that allows potential future leaders to learn about industry-specific advocacy, networking and government issues. Dairy Australia is proud to support people within the dairy industry who are committed, who want to build upon their skills and who aim to become future leaders of the industry," he said.

The program was developed in response to the Australian Dairy Industry Council Dairy Leadership - An Industry Blueprint 2010-15, which identified the need for an additional 200 leadership roles across the industry.

Participants complete some subjects toward the NCDEA Advanced Diploma of Agribusiness Management - Leadership stream as part of the program.

2014 Developing Dairy Leaders Program participants:

Andrew Beale, Cororooke VIC

Brian Schuler, Crossley VIC

Ryan Tuckett, Strathmerton VIC

Paul O'Malley, Cobram VIC

Leigh Schuuring, Smithton TAS

Rachael Finch, Denison VIC

Colleen Laws, Catani VIC

Jane Sykes, Ringarooma, TAS

Georgia Sherborne, Burrawang, NSW

Jane Sherborne, Burrawang, NSW