Would you like to attend the 2017 Australian Women in Agriculture Conference in Brisbane 22-24 September?
Rural Bank is again generously sponsoring two BCG members and one staff member to attend this conference. Register you interest by Friday 25 August and tell us in 100 words or less why you would like to attend. Email your details to [email protected] or call the office for more information.
“Setbacks don’t necessarily set you back, they just project you in a different direction”.
This was one of the key messages brought back home by four local women who attended the Australian Women in Agriculture (AWiA) conference held in Canberra earlier in September.
Generously sponsored by long-time BCG Corporate Partner Rural Bank and Rural Finance, BCG members Lydia Rich and Julie Weir, BCG research officer Jessica Lemon and Rural Finance agribusiness relationship manager allison Jager joined passionate women from all areas of agriculture to discuss how to lead change from within regional communities.
The conference program featured a diverse range of women from Australian and the Pacific islands who shared experiences and provided insights into how to become an effective industry leader.
One of the stand out speakers for participants was Sarah Powell, the 2015 RIRDC Rural Woman of the Year.
Sarah went from a high-profile corporate career in Queensland to the family farm in South Australia where she saw a desperate need to engage the local youth in order to keep community sporting clubs continuing. To combat this, Sarah created the ‘Champions Academy’ program which fosters personal development, leadership and volunteerism through sport and mentoring.
All presenters had one thing in common; passion. While this passion led all the presenters in very diverse directions, ultimately hard work, dedication and community support helped achieve goals.
Conference participants left inspired that change can be brought about, no matter the size of the effort made – even the action of just ‘turning up’ is more powerful than its given credit for.
BCG member Julie Weir left the conference refreshed and reinvigorated about the valuable role women continue to play in Australian agriculture.
“I look forward to using my new skills and enthusiasm to the betterment of my family, business, community as I continue to embrace the new friendships made,” she said.
BCG would like to thank Rural Bank and Rural Finance for making BCG’s involvement in the AWiA conference possible and for their continued support of women and young people working in agriculture.
