This conversation is part of a series exploring the impact of the Changemaker Workshops delivered across more than 30 regions by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, thanks to the Future Drought Fund. These workshops are part of the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.

There’s nothing like a fresh perspective to flip a problem and transform it into a possibility. In this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, we’re joined by mechanical engineer, Rana Everett, who shares her experience bringing a fresh take to a regional skills shortage. When Rana relocated to Albany in WA to work on the construction of a wave energy converter, she brought fresh eyes to the challenge of finding qualified local welders.

Rana came to Albany from her home base just outside of Darwin, with the unique opportunity to observe as an outsider and learn with a curious and open mind. It was her participation in the Albany Changemaker program that gave her the impetus to conceptualise and pioneer a home-grown employment solution. Drawing on the power of partnerships, and the potential of augmented reality technology, she has opened up new horizons to young people, women and others looking to up-skill and find their place in the booming world of welding.

This episode is the first of an 8-part series within the Rural Leadership Unearthed podcast where we delve into stories from people passionate about transforming their communities. This is a practical resource designed to provide insight into what it takes to drive positive change in rural, regional and remote Australia.

Some highlights:

• How ‘fresh eyes’ helped Rana join the dots between missing skills and community capacity-building
• The genesis of using welding simulators to fast-track skills development
• How it can feel to broach a project when you’re new to a community
• Why tailored communication is needed to engage with different target audiences
• The invaluable role of collaboration and partnerships

Our host:

Claire Delahunty, is a writer and journalist who has worked with the ARLF for more than ten years, interviewing leaders having a positive impact on rural and regional Australia.

Resources:

ARLF podcast blog

ARLF website

Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative

Everett Consulting

In this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, we’re joined by David Keetch, a seasoned agricultural researcher who first embraced ag as a highschool student growing up in Adelaide. Now, as Nufarm’s Green-on-Green Program Director, he leads two national projects focused on developing advanced in-crop camera-spraying technologies and herbicide solutions tailored to Australian farming systems.

If it sounds complicated, that’s because it is. Fortunately, Dave is a skilled, patient communicator with a real adeptness for understanding how different types of people thrive with different styles of communication. A core part of his job is adapting his approach for different audiences and stakeholders. Without this ability, he says he just wouldn’t be able to lead effectively.

But it hasn’t always come easily. It was his experience with a “melting pot” of other leaders in his cohort during the 2021 Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program that brought home that the way diverse personalities connect and relate to one another directly shapes outcomes.

In today’s conversation, Dave walks us through the challenges that come with managing a project that blends AI technology with Australia’s unique growing environments. He shares how stewardship of best practice and sustainable technology use in ag is what drives him in all that he does. Dave speaks openly about managing the different pulls between his passion for research and the realities of commercial expectations. He also reflects that when we’re working towards long-term goals, it’s vital to break it down into smaller milestones and celebrate the wins along the way.

Some highlights:

• How returning to core aims help Dave manage complexity

• The importance of celebrating small wins

• If you’re not changing, you’re not growing

• How adapting to others’ communication preferences can be as simple as picking up the phone or even knocking on a door

• An ‘independent streak’ can get in the way of asking for help

• Why being rigid and inflexible just doesn’t work

Our host:

Claire Delahunty, is a writer and journalist who has worked with the ARLF for more than ten years, interviewing leaders having a positive impact on rural and regional Australia.

Resources:

ARLF podcast blog

ARLF website

Rural Leadership Unearthed

AALP

Nufarm

Rolling out green-on-green spot spraying

This conversation is part of a series exploring the impact of the Changemaker Workshops delivered across more than 30 regions by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, thanks to the Future Drought Fund. These workshops are part of the Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative.

In this episode of Rural Leadership Unearthed, we’re joined by Tanya Lehmann, a leader who has made it her mission in life to un-riddle the things that sometimes hold our small towns back from taking control and shaping their own bright futures. As a leadership development coach with a community health management background, and a country girl herself, Tanya understands both the barriers to change in rural areas, and the opportunities that exist when we can unlock their greatest asset – their people.

In today’s chat, we explore just who or what a ‘changemaker’ is and Tanya’s role facilitating the ARLF’s Changemaker workshops around our regions, seeing first-hand the powerful seeds for change that can be planted in just two days. Tanya emphasises that leadership is a verb, and wherever you might be, it’s an action that any one of us can take. And it’s through tackling challenges together that we thrive and our communities thrive too.

This episode is the introduction to an 8-part series within the Rural Leadership Unearthed podcast where we delve into stories from people passionate about transforming their communities. This is a practical resource designed to provide insight into what it takes to drive positive change in rural, regional and remote Australia.

Some highlights:

• How to move from the idea of solving problems, to making progress
• The more you understand about your region’s history, the better you can shape its future
• Leadership is making the choice to stand up and take action
• Why a good story is a powerful tool to connect people for a common purpose
• Leaning in to vulnerability can help us make the rewarding move of asking for and offering help

Our host:

Claire Delahunty, is a writer and journalist who has worked with the ARLF for more than ten years, interviewing leaders having a positive impact on rural and regional Australia.

Resources:

ARLF podcast blog

ARLF website

Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative

Meet our team: Tanya Lehmann