A NEW organisation aimed at supporting women in the lot feeding industry has formed on the Darling Downs.
The not-for-profit organisation, Women of Lot Feeding (WOLF), is the initiative of Amanda Moohen, who is the office manager at Camm Agricultural Group, based at Wonga Plains Feedlot.
Mrs Moohen developed the concept through her participation in the inaugural Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program.
She has since been joined by three other inspirational women - Janeta Falknau and Rozzie O’Reilly, both of Kerwee Feedlot, and Georgia Sloss, Wonga Plains Feedlot.
Women do face some unique challenges when it comes to their careers in the lot feeding industry; especially when they consider starting a family.
Ms Falknau, who has worked in the industry for 15 years, said the group was “designed to provide support, networking contacts and opportunities for women in all aspects of the lot feeding industry, paving the way for sustainable careers.”
“The industry and ALFA [Australian Lot Feeders' Association] has always been extremely supportive of capable women,” she said.
“However women do face some unique challenges when it comes to their careers in the lot feeding industry; especially when they consider starting a family.”
She said the group wasn’t just focussing on matters surrounding motherhood. Rather, it was about creating a network tailored to women in the lot feeding sector aimed at supporting them at any level of their personal development.
After receiving support from ALFA, the group are now looking at how they could best work with the body to provide companies guidance in managing female employees through various stages of their personal lives.
“We feel that at present we are not offering women the appropriate support or opportunities during their career, and as a result could be losing a great amount of knowledge and leadership potential from our work force,” Ms Falknau said.
“There are other industries that manage the careers of the women particularly well and it is from these industries that we can gain knowledge, resources and tools which may better support the careers of women in the feedlot industry.”
WOLF will be officially launched with a High Tea function at Jimbour House on March 5, 2016.
- Email womenoflotfeeding@outlook.com.au
