Goat producers leading the way
24 August 2017
Goats on the Move readers may remember seeing advertisements earlier this year for several scholarships with the TRIAL Emerging Leaders Program and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.
The winners of the two spots on the TRAIL Emerging Leaders program were Anita Dennis, a rangeland goat producer from Blackall, Queensland, and Joel Smith, a Boer goat producer from Walgett, NSW.
Anita and Joel completed their short course in April/May. Anita said she can’t speak highly of this program and the knowledge that she’s been able to take away from it. “I am very grateful to have been chosen to partake in TRAIL; many thanks to MLA and the goat industry to allowing me this amazing opportunity” said Anita.
“I learnt so much about myself. The first part of the course was set outside Canberra in the Snowy National Park. It was out here that I discovered so much about myself and how I interact with others. There is something special to be surrounded by at first strangers then long life friends who have a persona of positivity – great things are achieved”.
The winners of the Australian Rural Leadership Program for established leaders were Trish McKenzie, a rangeland goat producer and depot operator from Cunnamulla, Queensland, and David Kimmorley, a Boer goat producer from Hannaford, Queensland and vice-president of the Goat Industry Council of Australia (GICA).
Trish and David started their 15-month course at the end of July along with 31 other Australian leaders from diverse industries, communities and backgrounds. The course takes the leaders through a series of unique experiences across Australia and Indonesia.
“It was all about getting to know yourself and the other participants and learning to work within a team,” Trish said. “The trip was amazing and challenging. It was fantastic to meet lots of new and positive people who were all there to become better people and leaders. We’re building networks of contacts that will only grow stronger over the 15 months.” David commented that he loved that the people doing the course were from all walks of life and industries and the program structure meant everyone was brought together on equal footing.
Keep an eye out in future editions of Goats on the Move as we will be advertising for another round of TRAIL applicants. For more information about the courses, click here.
