Two Western Australian farmers will join a line-up of alumni CBH Group and Grower Group Alliance (GGA) Growing Leader Scholarships recipients.
Funded by CBH Group and coordinated by GGA, this scholarship program awards recipients’ participation in Leadership WA’s flagship Signature Leadership Program.
Joining their ten predecessors, the 2023 scholarship recipients, Simon Wallwork of Corrigin, and Julie Freeman, of Mullewa, will hone their leadership skills over ten months within Leadership WA’s 2023 Signature Leadership Program, valued at $15,500 per scholar.
Leadership WA Chief Executive Officer Dominique Mecoy congratulated Julie Freeman and Simon Wallwork on gaining a place in the highly sought-after Signature Leadership Program.
“The Program, now in its 19th year, is a unique leadership development experience that will provide Julie and Simon with the opportunity to learn from some of the State’s most insightful and progressive leaders as they join us in our vision of courageous leadership shaping a better WA,” she said.
“We find that having regional and grower representation in the Program provides all participants with valuable insights into Western Australian agriculture as a vital part of our economy and regional communities. Our enduring partnership with CBH has helped us further strengthen leadership in these areas,” she said.
Mrs. Freeman is a partner in her and her husband’s mixed farming operation in Mullewa. She is the Deputy Chair for the Geraldton Grammar School Board, Secretary – previously Vice Chairperson – of the Mullewa Community Resource Centre, and Secretary – previously Treasurer – of the Mullewa District Agricultural Society.
She said as a grain grower, and she understands the value of community as a cornerstone for agriculture.
“[It is] important to have thriving regional communities, with sustainable populations, to provide the foundation for our industry to keep growing,” she said.
“Agriculture needs people, and people need communities. My hope is that the Leadership WA Signature Leadership Course will set me on the path to being a strong advocate for the Wheatbelt.”
Alongside his wife, Mr. Wallwork’s Corrigin farming enterprise is widely known for progressing climate solutions in agriculture. He has held numerous leadership positions, including Vice President and President roles for the Corrigin Farm Improvement Group (CFIG) board, Inaugural Executive Officer for the Noongar Land Enterprise Group, and most recently, Chairperson of AgZero2030 – a position Mr. Wallwork holds currently.
Mr. Wallwork said he hoped the new learnings would stand him in good stead as a community leader in the face of environmental challenges.
“The WA Agriculture sector and rural communities are facing significant challenges and opportunities from climate change and global decarbonization,” he said.
“How we respond will shape the future success of our industry and our regional communities. I aim to be an effective leader in this transition,” he said.
GGA Chief Executive Officer Rikki Foss said the GGA continued to have a strong focus on developing the human capital within WA agriculture and was proud to support the Growing Leaders Scholarship Program.
“The program is a terrific way to help build the leadership capabilities of growers and others involved in the grains industry, and I extend my congratulations to Julie Freeman and Simon Wallwork for being awarded these prestigious scholarships,” she said
CBH Group Chief External Relations Officer David Paton said the scholarship is aimed at further developing high-performing senior leaders.
“The program will help prepare both Julie and Simon to take on further leadership positions, which is vital for the sustainability of regional communities and the agricultural industry,” Mr. Paton said.
“We are proud to support Julie and Simon in their development journey. The funding of these scholarships is part of CBH’s continued commitment to building leadership capacity within our regional communities.”
For more information:
Grower Group Alliance
gga.org.au