Succession planning key to family future

Hosted by Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative (CHRRUP), the conference boasted speakers from all over the nation, including Dianne Taggerty from Prospect Pastoral in Western Australia, and Tyson and JJ Butchard from New South Wales. 

Local speakers were also in the ranks, called upon by Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association president Emma McCullagh who acted as MC for the two days of the conference. 

A focus on sustainability and diversification set the theme and the speakers varied from landholders, to business owners and local industry representatives. 

A crowd favourite on day one was the appearance of Broncos great Shane Webcke, who spoke as part of his role with Work Safe QLD. 

Perhaps the most emotive section came from local landholder Helen Sullivan, Talagai, Capella, who spoke of the importance of succession planning in her family business following the sudden passing of her husband Dan last year. 

Having already started succession planning meetings with her husband when their three children were in high school, Ms Sullivan said she had a solid plan to fall back upon when the worst happened. 

Through tears, she told the conference of the importance of those meetings, started so many years ago. 

“As a family we will take this structure into the future,” she said.

“There will be changes and different challenges but hopefully the family will be ready to deal with whatever comes their way.”