Agriculture Victoria research scientists Dr Sally Norton and Dr Jo Newton have been selected for the prestigious Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP).
The ARLP is Australia's longest and most in-depth leadership program designed to build leadership capability in people throughout rural, regional and remote Australia.
Dr Norton is a senior research scientist at the Australian Grains Genebank (AGG) based at Horsham's Grains Innovation Park and Dr Newton is a research scientist on the DairyBio research program at Agribio in Bundoora.
They are two of 29 chosen participants who will attend 50 days of practical learning and mentoring.
Dr Norton said she is thrilled to be selected and is looking forward to getting started this month with an initial online training component before joining her cohort for learning experiences in regional Australia and potentially overseas over the next 15 months.
"Regional and rural Victorians have been facing a host of challenges in recent years including drought, bushfires and floods, so the mentorship in this program will offer guidance on how to look at these events as opportunities to work together and build resilience.
"This course will also provide the opportunity to really get out of my comfort zone and challenge both myself and my cohort to become stronger leaders.
"It's an exciting opportunity to learn more about myself and develop skills to become a better leader," she said.
"This course will also provide the opportunity to really get out of my comfort zone and challenge both myself and my cohort to become stronger leaders."
In Dr Norton's role at Agriculture Victoria, she leads a team of 23, which includes scientists, technicians, and higher degree students, and she is the national leader of the AGG.
Dr Newton said she is grateful to the Foundation and to Agriculture Victoria for the opportunity to undertake ARLP and become a more effective leader and contributor to Australian agriculture and its communities.
"Many of my role models across agriculture in rural and regional Australia are ARLP alumni, and I am honoured to be following in their footsteps."
The program gives participants valuable opportunities to enhance their capacities and create a network of like-minded leaders to positively influence their organisations, industries and communities.
