An exciting opportunity exists for two female BCG members to attend the 2019 Australian Women in Agriculture (AWiA) Conference, to be held in Ballina from the 1st to the 3rd of November. This will be the fourth year this has activity has been offered, generously sponsored by our Diamond Corporate Partner, Rural Bank.
AWiA was founded in 1998 and is Australia’s peak organisation for women from across all sectors of agriculture. The conference will bring farmers and industry representatives from across Australia together to focus on the conference theme of ‘Review. Renew. Regenerate’, building skills, knowledge and resilience in women and business in Australian Agriculture.
Past BCG extension officer, Jemma Pearl, attended the 2018 event with BCG members and Longerenong students, Alise Riley and Rachael McIntyre.
Both Ms Pearl and Ms Riley found attending the 2018 AWiA conference invaluable. For Ms Pearl, a standout of the conference was that the inability to afford land did not prevent many speakers from operating successful agricultural businesses.
“A panel of female entrepreneurs discussed that, while the barriers to buying land can be enormous, it doesn’t mean you can’t participate in a way that is worthwhile,” Ms Pearl said.
Ms Riley said that a highlight of the event was meeting Rural Bank Chief Executive Officer, Alexandra Gartmann at the Gala Dinner.
“Hearing about Alexandra’s career path, including her time as CEO at BCG, gives me great confidence in what women can achieve while working in agriculture and living regionally.”
“I’m in my first year of studying agriculture and attending this conference and meeting Alexandra and other inspiring women has confirmed that I’ve made the right career choice,” she said.
Greg Kuchel Rural Bank Regional Manager Agribusiness is passionate about supporting this initiative. He said that ‘Rural Bank has a continued focus in supporting women in agriculture and is proud to be able to extend this opportunity for BCG two members to attend the conference in Ballina’.
To register your interest, complete this application form by Friday the 4th of October.
Winning applicants will be selected by a Rural Bank representative and notified on Friday the 11th of October. Successful applicants will have their conference ticket, accommodation and travel sponsored by Rural Bank and will be accompanied by a BCG staff member.
