GUNNEDAH grain grower Kate Gunn has started her journey in a prestigious, 15-month rural leadership program that will take her across Australia and overseas.
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Ms Gunn has been sponsored by the Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC) to take part in the Australian Rural Leadership Program.
She has taken part in the first two-week session – while camping in the Kimberley – and says the program has already “had a profound impact on me”.
Ms Gunn said securing a place in the program had cemented her belief there were opportunities for young women in Australia agriculture.
The leadership program takes more than 30 diverse leaders from across rural, regional and remote Australia on “a series of unique experiences to develop their leadership capabilities”.
Ms Gunn and her husband, agronomist Derek Gunn, her parents Rob and Valli Davidson, and her brother and sister-in-law James and Phoebe Davidson, operate Merrivale Partnership.
She said the program was an opportunity to take her passion for agriculture, and the grains sector specifically, to a new level.
“There are five face-to-face sessions in locations across Australia and Indonesia as part of this program and I have only done the first one, but already it’s had a profound impact on me and I’m very appreciative of GRDC’s support,” she said.
“Our first session involved two weeks camping out in a remote location of the Kimberley in Western Australia and, while it was confronting and engaging, it offered me some real insights into myself as well as the way I relate to others.”
The leadership program aims to develop: individuals’ personal effectiveness; as well as their understanding of ethics, values and social responsibility; their leadership thinking; industry, community and regional engagement; and diverse relationships for ongoing peer support across sectors and regions.
Sponsors provide scholarships of $55,000 plus GST.
GRDC northern region senior manager Jan Edwards said the corporation was committed to building the capacity of the grains industry.
Identifying and supporting the development of young leaders was a vital part of this goal, she said.
“To continue to compete and succeed, the Australian grains industry needs highly skilled and motivated people, which is why GRDC continues to support programs like [this].
“It is just one of many scholarships, training awards, student development programs and fellowships the GRDC invests in aimed at supporting current and future members of the Australian grains industry to improve their capacity to lead, learn, change, innovate and advance the industry.”
Ms Gunn said she was confident her experience and learning through the ARLP would benefit her family farming operation, as well as the grains industry in her region.
“It is early stages of the course for me, but already I am finding myself reassessing and questioning practices so it has been a powerful motivator for reflection at both a personal and business level,” she said.
About Kate
The young grain grower has a hands-on role at Merrivale Partnership, as well as responsibility for record-keeping and business development.
“We have dryland, broadacre cropping operations, beef cattle breeding and fattening, plus grain storage and transport capabilities,” she said.
“I grew up on the farm and then went to Sydney University and studied science and commerce, but my heart was always in the bush.
“So with studies complete, I propositioned my parents for a role in the business, which was a slight surprise to them, but 11 years on we are all still farming together.
“My brother came home after ag college at a similar time, and this really increased our capacity to grow.”
Ms Gunn said the family partnership underwent a sizeable expansion in 2012 and now farms 10,200 hectares.
“I have always felt there were incredible opportunities in agriculture for young people, and it is exciting to see more women taking advantage of this and contribute to diversifying the skills in agriculture,” Ms Gunn said.
“Once I spent a lot of time in the paddock, but I have found as we expanded the business I needed to spend more time in the office developing effective systems, planning and ensuring we keep efficient records.
“It’s definitely not easy to get away for two weeks at a time as part of this leadership program, but it is possible with preparation and planning.
“I’m honoured to be sponsored by GRDC so I can take part in the [program] and I am committed to making the most of the experience.”
Carolyn Millet
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
