FROM a Moulamein rice farmer, to a Top End crocodile industry entrepreneur and an aged care worker in North Queensland, the leaders who make up the 22nd cohort of the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) are a diverse bunch.
And they "all share a fantastic passion for rural life in their region", said Matt Linnegar, chief executive of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.
The ARLP aims to produce a network of informed, capable and ethical leaders who are able to work collaboratively to advance the interests of rural Australia.
"The organisation has a long history in helping Australians from all corners of our country, in all walks of life – farmers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders, health professionals, educators and myriad others – to develop their leadership capacity," Mr Linnegar said.
"In doing so we now have a network of almost 900 alumni working individually and collectively to help realise greater possibilities for this country."
The ARLP is the Foundation’s flagship program, and it has been developing leaders for the future of rural and regional Australia for more than 20 years. Thirty leaders representing diverse industries, sectors and communities have successfully completed a competitive national selection process.
The group will commence the Leadership Program in May 2015 with an experiential session in the Kimberley. Five sessions will follow over 17 months, including immersion in Canberra’s political scene, and an eye-opening visit to Indonesia.
Course 22 will be the fifth cohort of ARLP participants eligible to undertake a graduate certificate in Australian Rural Leadership from James Cook University, in concert with the ARLP.
Mr Linnegar said the program continues to stand out in the leadership development landscape.
“I am in the unique position of leading an organisation that played such a crucial role in my own leadership,” he said.
“The experience offered by the ARLP will be life-changing for these participants. I'm sure that this group, like all ARLP graduates, will go on to be real change agents in their organisations, industries and communities right across Australia.”
ARLP participants receive scholarships from a wide range of rural and related industry organisations, philanthropic donors, research bodies, the private sector and governments, and the Foundation welcomes two new sponsors to the program this year: Prime Super and the Northern Territory government.
Applications for ARLP Course 23 open from April 1, 2015. Closer to the date, visit the ARLF website for more information.
Course 22 participants and scholarship sponsors:
Sam Archer, Gundagai, NSW, Meat and Livestock Australia
Darren Arney, Nairne, SA, Grains Research and Development Corporation
Tammy Atkins, Milawa, Vic, William Buckland Foundation
David Bailey, Dalby, Qld, Australian Lot Feeders Association
Joanna Baker, Stanmore, NSW, Thyne Reid Foundation
Sean Boland, Moree, NSW, Cotton Australia Limited and Cotton Research & Development Corporation
Rhys Collins, North Lakes, Qld, Australian Pork Limited
Scott Davis, Cairns, Qld, James Cook University
Sandra Glaister, Townsville, Qld, Prime Super
Jamie Iker, Emerald. Qld, Auscott Limited, Cotton Research and Development Corporation
Mikaela Jade, Red Hill, ACT, Department of Agriculture
Jacinta Kelly, Kensington, WA, Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd
Gary Larkins, Mawson, ACT, Department of Health
Tim Lester, Dalton, NSW, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
James Lord, Cradoc, Tas, Australian Meat Processor Corporation
Zoe Malone, Fannie Bay, NT, NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
Katie Mason, Kojonup, WA, Fairfax Media
Peter McCrabb, Booroorban, NSW, Australian Wool Innovation
Krysteen McElroy, Padthaway, SA, Department of Agriculture
Denise McLellan, Horsham, Vic, Grains Research and Development Corporation
Jeremy Morton, Moulamein, NSW, NSW Ricegrowers’ Association
Dwane O’Brien, Belmont, Vic, Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Travis Power, Warramanga, ACT, Department of Agriculture
Lowri Pryce, Helensburgh, NSW, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Michael Rosier, Moorabbin, Vic, Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning
Regina Turner, Thursday Island, Qld, Torres Strait Regional Authority
Jordan Villaruz, Tully, Qld, Department of Agriculture
Giovanna Webb, Leanyer, NT, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
Jane Worner, Young, NSW, Woolworths Limited
Jennifer Wressell, East Geelong, Vic, Department of Health
