Rural minds to ignite fresh ideas for our agricultural sector

Ten passionate rural leaders have been selected for the new AgriFutures™ Ignite Advisory Panel.

The Panel is an exciting opportunity for members to draw on their experience and networks to provide meaningful and relevant advice to AgriFutures Australia.

AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, John Harvey, said the Ignite Advisory Panel members represent a diverse range of rural industries and have specific skills and knowledge in a variety of areas including commercialisation, start-ups, stakeholder engagement, technology and innovation.

“We have a member who works to support technology adoption of robotic milking systems on Australian dairy farms, a member who is the head of agribusiness at the Bank of Queensland and a member who developed a native food export roadmap for key government organisations.

“The Ignite Advisory Panel will provide invaluable insights, ideas and perspectives to ensure we are tackling the critical issues and opportunities within our emerging and levied industries, and more broadly across agriculture in Australia,” said Mr Harvey.

Ignite Advisory Panel members will work with AgriFutures Australia for an 18-month term. Members united for their first meeting on 17 May 2018 at the AgriFutures Australia headquarters in Wagga Wagga.

AgriFutures Australia, Manager, Research & Innovation, Jennifer Medway said one of the first items on the agenda was to gather the member’s ideas and thoughts on Australia’s biggest national rural issues.

“The Panel members are tuned into trends, responsive to change and work in a range of rural industries across the agriculture sector. It was a great privilege to bring these minds into the one room and really understand how to best promote collaboration on cross-sectoral issues,” Ms Medway said.

Ignite Advisory Panel members form part of the new AgriFutures™ Ignite Network which aims to connect rural leaders with an interest in shaping the future of Australian rural industries and to encourage the changes they want to see across the agricultural sector.

AgriFutures™ Ignite Advisory Panel members include:

• Guy Coleman (Narrabri, NSW)
• Andrew Duver (Kensington, VIC)
• Jessica Fealy (Paddy’s Green, QLD)
• Joshua Gilbert (Nabiac, NSW)
• Susan Hall (Myaree, WA)
• Lucinda Hawkins (Dubbo, NSW)
• Simone Kain (Penola, SA)
• Sally Leigo (Darwin, NT)
• Nicolas Lyons (Sydney, NSW)
• Oli Madgett (Adelaide, SA)