Program for future rice leaders

The program focused on industry leadership development, including learning about the opportunities the rice industry offers, personality types, governance, advocacy, lobbying, communicating effectively and presenting the best story to the media.It is the third tier 1 program to be held over the last two years.Deniliquin finance broker and founder of Grass Roots Finance Chantelle Shevels was one of the participants to graduate from the Introduction to the Rice Industry program in February.Chantelle was born and bred on a mixed cereal and dairy farm at Mayrung, and is now based in Deniliquin.She began her career in accounting, with a focus on compliance and client management, and then worked as a transport fleet manager and stepped into mortgage broking in 2010.Grass Roots Finance was born from pairing her accounting background with her commercial experience.Chantelle said she first wanted to get involved in the RGA’s program to get a better understanding of water policies and how they will affect businesses in the local region.‘‘The Ricegrowers’ Association is highly reputable and highly educated with its grasp on water policies,’’ she said.‘‘The quality of presenters was second to none, and I found that I was able to develop my leadership skills as well as my understanding of the rice industry as a whole.‘‘There was a diverse group of people that took part in the program, with just two of us from the finance industry, and I enjoyed hearing other people’s thoughts on research and development, policy and advocacy.‘‘It was an excellent opportunity to broaden my network with like-minded professionals and I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about participating in the program.‘‘If you don’t step out of your comfort zone from time to time you’re not learning anything new.‘‘My favourite part of the program was being encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and learning important lessons along the way.’’Five participants from the course will be selected to tour Canberra and learn from leaders in government, lobbying and farmer organisations.The Tier 2 Leadership Program, hosted in conjunction with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, is an ambitious program which aims to develop a cohort of emerging leaders in the rice industry.Participation in the program will improve the participant’s confidence and skills, which will benefit not only the rice industry but the region as a whole.Tier 2 has been postponed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.