WA’s young grain leaders descend on Canberra
Learning more about “how Canberra works” was priority for eight of WA’s future grain leaders who attended a two-day forum in the bush capital this week.
The group of eight attended Grain Producers Australia’s leadership forum at Animal Health Australia’s headquarters in Canberra on Monday and Tuesday.
WAFarmers’ grains council selected five of the eight WA participants, including Williams farmer Nick Panizza, Murdoch University student Amelia Nolan, WAFarmers grains council member and Prosperagri Management owner Nathanial O’Hare, Konnongorring farmer Tiffany Davey and York farmer Alex Davies.
The WAGG group representatives included Broomehill farmer Gerard Paganoni, Lake Grace farmer Leon Clarke and Pingrup farmer Patrick Smith.
GPA chairman Andrew Weidemann said the forum was designed to teach participants about politics, advocacy and speaking to the media, among other topics.
“A key focus of the forum is to help participants understand how Canberra works,” he said.
“Understanding the importance of advocacy in today’s world is very important.
“In addition to gaining greater insight into our industry, participants also engaged in a number of workshops focussing on the strategic issues facing our industry and gaining media training skills.”
As well listening to dozens of talks by industry heavyweights, the group also toured Parliament House and took part in Mr Weidemann said was a “discussion about how to prepare for their leadership journey”.
The forum also included a panel discussion with National Farmers Federation chief executive Tony Mahar, GPA South Australia Caroline Rhodes and GPA director Mitch Hooke, focusing on the future of the grains industry.
The group also heard from chief executives at Plant Health Australia, Grain Industry Market Access Forum, and Grains Research Development Corporation.
They also listened to GRDC chairman John Woods, who spoke about the importance of research, development and extension.
The GPA leadership forum was funded by the Federal Government’s leadership in agriculture industries fund.
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