SOUTH Burnett cattle producer Georgie Somerset is set to become the new president of AgForce.
The South Burnett beef producer is set to replace Grant Maudsley, who chose not to re-nominate for the position following four years in the top job.
Mrs Somerset, who runs a family beef cattle farming business in Durong with her husband Robert, will become president after serving in various roles for AgForce since its inception, including vice-president/deputy chair and South-East Queensland regional director during the past four years.
Mrs Somerset, who will become AgForce's first female general president, also serves on the ABC board and is a director of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland, and Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service.
Other changes at the top of the broadacre farm group include Central Queensland beef producer Will Wilson, Calliope Station, Calliope, who will become AgForce Cattle president after Bim Struss, Havelock, Mitchell, chose not to contest that position.
The next president of AgForce Grains will be determined by an election between Luke Arbuckle, Bungunya, and Brendan Taylor, Warra. That election follows Wayne Newton’s announcement earlier that his will leave the position he has held since AgForce’s inception 1999.
Alan Rae, Windamall, Bungunya, will continue as AgForce Sheep and Wool president.
The changeovers will occur after AgForce's annual general meeting on November 20.
AgForce chief executive officer Michael Guerin welcomed Mrs Somerset to her new role and paid tribute to Mr Maudsley, a Mitchell cattle and grains producer.
Mr Maudsley will have served as president of the broadacre farm group for the past four years and has been involved at various levels with AgForce for 16 years.
"It's been an exciting and challenging time in Queensland agriculture over the past four years, with drought, vegetation management and an aborted Defence Department plan to compulsorily acquire farmland among the issues confronting our members," Mr Guerin said.
"Grant has been a prominent voice and tireless advocate for Queensland agriculture, and has been at the helm while AgForce streamlined our organisational structure.
"It's a reflection of his strong leadership that our membership numbers have been increasing steadily and there is renewed interest from primary producers right throughout Queensland seeking involvement in AgForce boards and regional councils."
Mr Maudsley said it was a privilege and honour to serve in various capacities for AgForce, and he was looking forward to continuing to serve as General President over the next three months before stepping back to give a new team the opportunity to take AgForce forward.
"I feel a great sense of pride in how AgForce has strengthened over the past four years, how the industry has united on common causes, and how individual producers have felt more empowered to speak up on their own behalf or through our organisation and others," he said.
