With the Great Northern Show due to be held in Rochester on February 24-25, the release is timely for the region as it continues its recovery effort from the October floods.
The document 30 tips for being a valued contributor to show societies, rural boards and agricultural committees is an initiative of Agricultural Shows Australia’s (ASA) Emerging Leaders program.
A free, 17-page resource, its aim is to arm young leaders with practical support and guidance to help them, their committees, and the show movement across Australia, thrive.
Six accomplished leaders in the agricultural sector; Catherine Marriot (board member of Rural Bank) John Bennett (vice president of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW), Danica Leys (CEO of the NSW Country Women's Association), Jock Laurie (chairman of Australian Wool Innovation), Tom Green (vice chairman of Lachlan Valley Water), and Anna Speer (CEO of Greenstock), shared their wisdom.
With a range of backgrounds, from major agricultural events to peak bodies, retailers and finance, each leader offers valuable advice for young people getting started on a show society or committee. Governance, handling responsibility, time management and knowing when to just back off: it’s all covered.
Every committee brings with it a myriad of opinions and ideas. It can be a challenging environment but Ms Marriot, shares two of the most valuable lessons to building a successful team: curiosity and a shared purpose.
“One of the biggest gifts that you can give to people who have different opinions is to not be threatened by that, but be curious and ask them questions,“ she said.
“Getting everyone to agree on a singular purpose is an incredible leveller and it brings people together.”
Agricultural Shows Australia chair Rob Wilson said the resource was candid, useful and inspiring.
“Leaders in Australia’s rural and agricultural sectors have shared their advice on topics pertinent to accomplished, successful committees, with the intention to equip the next generation of leaders in the show movement across Australia with the resources and support they need to find their voice, understand their responsibilities, and succeed so that in turn the show movement prospers,” he said.
The handbook is available to download at agshowsaustralia.org.au/new-handbook-30-tips-for-being-a-valued-contributor/
27°C