Are you a future leader in the Grain Industry

MEDIA RELEASE

16 March 2010 Mentors needed: Australia’s future grain leaders want you GGA is looking for established leaders in Australian agriculture to mentor participants in its second Australian Future Grain Leaders Program. ‘MentorMatch’ was nominated as a key success element in the inaugural Program where 15 participants were matched with established leaders to support them with their leadership goals. Mentor, Murray Rogers AM, an executive in the Australian grains and food sectors as well as past CEO of AWB Limited, enjoyed being a mentor in the program and says it provided him with an insight into today’s emerging leaders as well as an avenue to share his knowledge and skills for the benefit of others. “It is terrific to have had the opportunity to support leadership development through structured mentoring. Working one on one over a short time resulted in real actions for my mentoree James and new learnings for me as well. It was a two way partnership,” Mr Rogers said James Hamilton, a grain grower from Narromine, New South Wales says he got much more than he expected in his mentoring partnership with Mr Rogers. “It exceeded my expectations, I now have the competence and confidence to set my own direction and goals and then pursue them with passion,” said James. Mentors provide two hours of one-on-one phone support to emerging leaders in the Australian grains industry during April and May. The idea of MentorMatch is that each Program participant is matched with an established leader to support them in their skills development as well as provide insights into how to lead change in the real world and importantly how to trouble shoot when things don't go quite to plan. Interested mentors do not need to be from the grains industry and leadership experience from a wide range of sectors is encouraged. MentorMatch is coordinated by RuralScope Pty Limited who will provide resources and support to mentors. GGA Chairman John Eastburn said it was testimony to the program that MentorMatch was bridging the gap between established and emerging leaders. “The Australian Future Grain Leaders Program develops quality leaders with the knowledge and skills to meet the demands of future industry challenges. “The mentoring process provides a great opportunity for experienced leaders to give something back and support the next generation of leaders in Australian agriculture,” Mr Eastburn said. There are currently 15 participants in the Australian Future Grain Leaders Program who are highly motivated and working towards completing their integrated industry project where they apply their leadership skills and knowledge in action. Projects being undertaken include delivering a farm leasing program, investigating fuel hedging, developing a nationally consistent definition of Australian quality assured grain, establishing a rural youth conference, increasing pulse production in southern Australia as well as creating a positive communication link between researchers and farmers regarding grain storage. Mentors are assured that any support, advice and insights provided to Program participants will be well utilised. For more information on current participants and MentorMatch visit the Mentors page on www.grainleaders.com.au To register your interest as a mentor or for more information, please contact Jo Eady at RuralScope Pty Ltd on 0419 912 879 or email jo@ruralscope.com