A NEW scholarship program, to be launched this week by CBH, Grower Group Alliance (GGA) and Leadership WA, will promote the development of leadership skills in grain growing communities.
CBH chief executive Andy Crane said the collaboration offered emerging leaders the opportunity to develop leadership skills essential for regional communities.
Dr Crane said it was the first time the three organisations had collaborated to promote leadership skills in rural communities.
“The Growing Leaders scholarship program will offer successful applicants the leadership skills to continue to create strong agricultural communities and will provide our grain industry with the leaders of tomorrow,” Dr Crane said.
“We are looking for those growers – and there are many of them – who already have leadership roles in their local communities but what we want to do is be part of the training that is need to develop those skills.
“Leadership skills are different skills, they are not so technical but they are critical, so we are keen to support their development because we know getting leaders out there in the Wheatbelt will help the local community, local grower groups and ultimately help CBH with people coming onto the Grower Advisory Council and onto our board.”
As part of the $30,000 program three scholarships are being offered – two scholarships are available for rising leaders in a six-month Leadership WA program and the third is a 10-month scholarship for more experienced leaders.
The scholarships are open to growers under 50 years of age.
Leadership WA chief executive Robin McClellan encouraged women in farming enterprises to apply.
“Both partners should be involved in this journey and Leadership WA’s secret sauce is diversity – in the participants and who they meet as part of the program,” Ms McClellan said.
“Leadership WA’s leadership development programs are grounded in helping all participants understand the challenges facing the State and how they can play a role in strengthening communities at all levels.
“This partnership will not only benefit the recipients of the scholarships, but will also ensure that all of our graduates are better educated about a sector that is responsible for much of WA’s economic growth.”
GGA executive officer Annabelle Bushell said the scholarship program was part of its 14-year commitment of helping grower groups build capacity.
Applications open today and close on July 31.
“It is vital for grower groups to build leadership capabilities for their future strength in this critically-important WA agricultural extension network,” Ms Bushell said.
“Grower groups are the local hubs where researchers, industry and agribusiness connect with the farming community, are a one-stop-shop for agricultural communities and are run by growers for growers.
“I hope to see the development of new leaders through the program, which will in time, become a conduit for new and emerging leaders in the grain-growing communities to help drive better profitability and production for our growers.”
