An emerging WA cattle figurehead among Rising Champions

One of WA’s emerging cattle figureheads has been unveiled as a finalist in 2020 NAB Agribusiness Rising Champion Initiative.

John Cunnington, the business development manager at Perth-based export company Halleen Australasian Livestock Traders, was announced as a state finalist today.

The WA Livestock Exporters’ Association chairman is well-known for his passion to improve the livestock sector’s transparency, while also nurturing the country’s next generation of workers.

Mr Cunnington said he was honoured to be recognised by the Rising Champion program, backed by NAB and Cattle Council of Australia, and described it as an opportunity for leadership development.

The 31-year-old also thanked Halleens for encouraging his involvement in pro-industry groups including the Young Live Exporters Network and The Sheep Collective.

“It is a real honour to be a finalist,” he said.

“It will be great to represent WA and have industry discussions on a national level.”

Queensland’s Elisha Parker, Bianca Tarrant, of New South Wales, and Tasmania’s Chelsea Rayner were also confirmed as finalists alongside Victoria’s Elle Moyle, Grayson Webster, of Northern Territory, and Emily Buddle, of South Australia.

The seven finalists will take part in an three-day leadership development course in Canberra next month, meeting with politicians and departmental staff while developing leadership skills.

CCA president Tony Hegarty said it would allow finalists to take the next step in their careers.

“Many of this year’s finalists are already actively involved in the beef industry,” he said.

“The Rising Champions program is a wonderful springboard for them to really take this involvement to the next level.

“Boosting the sustainability of the beef industry is a key objective of ours, and we see development of our young industry participants as being critical to this achieving this.”

The national 2020 NAB Agribusiness Beef Industry Rising Champion will be announced at the annual NAB Agribusiness Rising Champion Gala Dinner in Canberra on August 14.

Read the full article in next Thursday’s Countryman.