Skip to content
HomeEventsOnBoard | A grower director program
4 Sep - 2 Oct 2023

route 66 casino:OnBoard | A grower director program

Designed for growers who want to be an active voice for their industry through board appointments and Directorships, OnBoard presents a tailor-made professional development opportunity.

A unique leadership opportunity for growers.

Combining?the development of leadership capability and sound governance skills essential for today's Director, OnBoard presents an unparalleled professional development opportunity, tailor-made for growers. OnBoard now offers an immersive in-person experience, ensuring that participants can fully engage with the content and facilitators.

The OnBoard program was developed by GrainGrowers after recognising the depth of talented growers capable of making significant contributions to the sector, yet low rates of grower applicants for industry boards. The program integrates both hard and soft skills training delivered by expert facilitators and provides full funding for participants to complete the AICD’s Company Directors Course.

Apply
APPLICATION STATUS
Applications are now open for OnBoard. Applications close on the 2 October 2023 at 12pm AEST.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE ONBOARD INFORMATION SESSION

Curious about the OnBoard program but not sure where to start? Register now for the OnBoard Information Session.

Register Now
Why was OnBoard Developed?

The Problem:

There is no shortage of talented and progressive grain farmers in Australia, many of whom are capable of making significant contributions to the grains industry. However, it can be difficult to attract a competitive Director candidate field for industry positions.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that this is due to growers being time poor, not perceiving themselves as having the experience or skills required to see them successfully appointed to or endorsed for a board position.

The Solution:

GrainGrowers seeks to expand the talent pool of qualified grower director candidates and ensure that we have a strong talent pipeline into the future. OnBoard does this by providing a professional development program that builds the requisite skills for collaborative, progressive and effective governance.

Read the T&Cs Now
Program Structure

The OnBoard program is structured into three distinct components. Each component isfacilitated by a different expert, with the first two modules?delivered across three days in Sydney.

Component 1: Honing the Hard Skills (Face to face)

Spanning over the initial three days, this module prepares participants for the board selection process and their inaugural board appointment. Focused areas include crafting a Board CV, interview techniques, applying critical analysis tools, and understanding the responsibilities of a Director.

Component 2: Sharpening the Soft Skills (Face-to-Face)

Continuing in the three-day face-to-face format, this module delves into the intangible skills vital for effective board directors, such as influential communication and speaking with authority.

Component 3: Governance Training

Participants will embark on the AICD’s Company Directors Course at a time and location of their choosing provided it is within the current financial year to round off their training.

OnBoard Information Brochure 2023
Benefits

OnBoard provides growers with the means and skills to approach governance in boards, committees and directorships. It includes:

  • The opportunity to complete the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) course (an industry essential to sit on a board).
  • Hard and soft governance skills.
  • Skills to create engaging CVs for appointments.
  • Knowledge of how to perform in an interview.

The cost to participate is covered by GrainGrowers.

Who is it for?

OnBoard provides the pathway to and support for Growers who are entrenched in the industry and would be applying to board or committee positions within the next 12 months. OnBoard is best suited to those who are:

  • Currently a grain grower or involved actively in the grain industry.
  • Keen to enhance their grains industry leadership and advocacy skillsets.
  • Want to develop personal and professional skills, networks, and leadership knowledge.
  • An Australian citizen.
Our Commitment

GrainGrowers will ensure that our programs continue to incorporate every member's perspective and experience. We never discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital or disability status. GrainGrowers is committed to providing accommodations to all individuals in the application process and while participating in our development programs, including a carer stipend where applicable.

How to submit your application

You cannot save your answers on the application form itself, so we recommend you write your answers on a word doc and save elsewhere so you can copy and paste them into the form. There will be 5 main questions you need to answer:

  1. What skills and experience do you think you would bring to an industry or community Board of Directors? (400 words max.)
  2. Please provide some details that demonstrate your commitment to the grains industry and/or your local community.?(400 words max.)
  3. How do you prioritise your own professional growth and development in the rapidly evolving agricultural landscape??(400 words max.)
  4. Can you please give us an example of a Board of Directors you think performs well and why??(400 words max.)
  5. How do you envision utilising your leadership skills to drive positive change and innovation in the grains industry??(400 words max.)

You will also need to upload a current CV and at least two references to complete your application.

Apply for OnBoard now!

Meet the 2022 OnBoard participants

Carolyn Stewart

Buckrabanyule VIC

Read bio
Close

Carolyn Stewart

Buckrabanyule VIC

In addition to running a fifth-generation mixed cropping and livestock farm in North Central Victoria with her husband, Carolyn is a current Councillor and former Mayor of the Buloke Shire who was selected to serve on the the Local Government Minister's Mayoral Advisory Panel in 2020.

David Brownhill

Spring Ridge NSW

Read bio
Close

David Brownhill

Spring Ridge NSW

David and his wife Liz, manage Merrilong Pastoral Company, with David’s brother, Gordon and his wife, Anne – covering 10600 hectares, which focus on dryland and irrigated grain production. David is also a founding director of AMPS Agribusiness Pty Ltd, which is committed to information dissemination, structured farming and returning profits to research.

David Woods

Toobeah QLD

Read bio
Close

David Woods

Toobeah QLD

David runs a broadcare cropping & grazing operation 80km NW of Goondiwindi together with his wife Alice. He was president of Goondiwindi’s Macintyre Ag Alliance in 2019/20 and won the 2021 NSW Landcare Farming award for his contributions to our community.

Denise McLellan

Horsham VIC

Read bio
Close

Denise McLellan

Horsham VIC

Denise has worked in farming and agriculture for over twenty years. She has worked in the grains industry in both government and private sectors in agronomy, growers extension services, and industry development. Working alongside scientists, researchers and most of the supply chain means Denise has a strong understanding of the grains industry, farming and agriculture.

Fiona Mann

Eradu WA

Read bio
Close

Fiona Mann

Eradu WA

Fiona is a broad acre farmer at Eradu in Western Australia with her husband Liam and young boys. In addition to their cropping enterprise, they operate an agricultural contracting business, and have also launched BLOCK 275, a value-added extension that produces Cold Pressed Canola Oil. Fiona has a Bachelor of Science and is the Chair of the Mid West Food Industries Alliance, and the co-ordinator of the Mullewa Dryland Farmers Initiative.

James Heaslip

Laura SA

Read bio
Close

James Heaslip

Laura SA

As a sixth-generation farmer, James is passionate about the agricultural industry and the opportunities it provides. Through his pathway into the agricultural industry, he has developed a broad range of professional and technical skills, which is highly relevant as he currently serves on the GPSA board.

Mark Swift

Parkes NSW

Read bio
Close

Mark Swift

Parkes NSW

Mark Swift is grain grower from Parkes in Central West NSW. He has a keen interest in grower collaboration and risk management. He has attempted to establish a grower owned Mutual, is currently a director of Farmlink & is presently looking at cooperative options for dealing with grain freight bottle necks in central NSW.

Shannon Slade

Kendenup WA

Read bio
Close

Shannon Slade

Kendenup WA

Shannon runs a mixed crop and livestock enterprise with her husband and extended family near Kendenup, Western Australia. She has a varied farming background, having been a rural bank manager in New Zealand and a dairy farmer in Victoria. Shannon is currently on the board of our local grower group, Stirling's to Coast Farmers, and is a 2018 Nuffield Scholar

See more

GrainGrowers' Programs for Senior Management

The programs offered by GrainGrowers which are best suited for senior management.

GrainGrowers' Programs for Established Professionals

The programs offered by GrainGrowers which are best suited for established professionals.

GrainGrowers Diversity Pledge

GrainGrowers is proud to be a partner of the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program.

when is the nhl draft lottery | thunderball numbers for last night | zasady eurojackpot | euromillions tonight time | euromillions history | when is the nhl draft lottery | thunderball numbers for last night | zasady eurojackpot | euromillions tonight time | euromillions history | when is the nhl draft lottery | thunderball numbers for last night | zasady eurojackpot | euromillions tonight time | euromillions history | when is the nhl draft lottery | thunderball numbers for last night | zasady eurojackpot | euromillions tonight time | euromillions history | async> View My Stats