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The Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) is rural Australia’s iconic leadership development program.
It aims to produce a network of informed, capable and ethical leaders who are able to work collaboratively to advance the interests of regional Australia.
AWI funds the participation of emerging wool industry leaders in the ARLP.
The ARLP course consists of about 50 days face-toface, delivered in multiple sessions over 15 months. Five of these sessions take place in locations across Australia, including the Kimberley (pictured), a state capital city and a regional area, and involvement in Canberra’s political scene.
One session takes place overseas with an eye-opening visit to one of Australia’s closest neighbours in Asia.
Woolgrower Stacey Lugsdin, who with her family runs a self-replacing Merino enterprise at ‘Warrendale’ north-east of Hay, NSW, will complete her AWI sponsored participation in Course 24 of the ARLP this month when she graduates at a ceremony in Canberra.
Encouraging other people in the wool industry to apply for the course, Stacey says applicants must be open and willing to learn, and be committed to helping others, ultimately for the betterment of the wool industry.
“I used to think that leaders always led from the front, but now I believe that leaders can ‘lead from the back’, in that they should encourage and guide people, especially the next generation, nurturing new ideas so the industry can move ahead in innovative ways,” she said.
“The next generation is more technology minded and forward-thinking than the last. We need innovation in the wool industry, so we must nurture the young people in the industry.
“One of the key things I learnt was that all businesses (big or small, Australian or overseas) are at the mercy of the market, and it is important to try and take volatility out of markets – which is something that applies to the wool industry too.”
Applications for the AWI supported scholarship for Course 26 close on October 19.
To apply for the ARLP, head to www.wool.com/arlp
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