The third highly successful Beef Australia's Graeme Acton Beef Connections Mentoring Program was completed over a two day event held in Toowoomba.
The overall success of the completion was very special for the 10 mentees and 11 mentors involved in the development program.
Over the two days, each of the mentors and mentor partners' shared their incredible journeys of personal development and achievements which would not have been achieved without the guidance and understanding of each other.
It was during these presentations it was very evident of the respect and strong bonds which have been forged between the 10 recipients and their mentors.
The Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program is named after the respected late Central Queensland cattleman and industry leader, is aimed to develop the skills of young people across all areas of the beef supply chain by offering training and personal development opportunities.
The program was launched at Beef Australia in 2015 and now in its third generation.
An indication of its success is that the three mentees from the first 2015 cohort Ashley Kirk, Adam Coffey and Amanda Moohen returned to the program as mentor partners.
Over the past 14 months the mentees have enjoyed personal and professional development opportunities, networking, leadership and communication training, as well as participation in Beef 2021.
Beef Australia chair Bryce Camm said the strength of the Australian beef industry came from its people - and the Graeme Acton Beef Connections program had produced impressive leaders who are already making positive impacts on the industry.
"It is a very important component to Beef Australia and something were a passionate to continue," he said.
The highly respected industry mentors were Melinda King, Liz Allen, Greg Pankhurst, Ben Dwyer, Angus Street, Prue Bondfield, Ashley Kirk, Adam Coffey, Philip Hughes, Julie McDonald and Amanda Moohen.
The 10 Mentor Partners and their relevant involvement in the industry for the 2021 program included:
- Caitlyn Barton, Feedlot sector
- Rebecca Clapperton, Beef Producer
- Hugh Courts, Agribusiness
- Georgia Glasson, Beef Producer
- Chloe Gould, Beef Processing
- Kari Moffat, Live export
- Caitlin Obst, Feedlot sector
- Ryan Olive, Beef Producer
- Kate Power, Beef Processing
- Ellen Simpson, Agribusiness.
The Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program is sponsored by Westpac.
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