NTCA elects new president to continue path of determination

The Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association presidency was officially handed over to industry veteran, Henry Burke, from outgoing president David Connolly, at the association's annual conference at Alice Springs, NT.

Mr Burke brings his expertise as Consolidated Pastoral Company's general manager and 20 years of experience on executive teams to the role.

He announced his proud sense of pride in taking the position.

"I am honoured to be elected as the 15^th president," Mr Burke said.

"Although my presidency may be new, my journey with the NTCA spans two decades."

Mr Burke began as an NTCA executive member representing the Barkly branch 2002, which offered him a me grassroots industry perception.

"It gave me extensive knowledge of the challenges and issues faced by our members," he said.

Mr Burke acknowledged the pioneers, innovators and hardworking men and women who had woven the fabric of the cattle industry.

"These events are more than a gathering, it is a dynamic platform for reconnection, learning and collaboration," he said.

"It provides a unique opportunity to embrace traditions and values which define our industry and fortify our collective resolve.

"NTCA stands as a formidable force, with its strength lying in its unity and member engagement."

Outgoing president Mr Connolly made his final address to the industry and used the platform to share his thoughts on the wins and losses throughout the past three years.

"I am very pleased to be here in the 40^th year of this esteemed organisation and I thank all of the attendees for conquering the great distance to attend," he said.

He also paid tribute to the "unifying" event.

"As members of this association, we are in this together. This event is a time and place for a glance back over our shoulders at the past but more importantly, a commitment to the future.

"This is an occasion for speaking frankly, a day of sharing our wins and loses, catching up with friends and industry."

Mr Connolly began this year full of energy and joy for the new challenges which lay ahead, and as he handed over the reins, he was proud of the association's progress in his three-year term.

"I can take time to contemplate the past three years. Like many newly minted presidents, I only thought I knew what I was in for," he said.

"At the time, the newly minted executive team, brand new CEO and I, were committed, dedicated energised and eager, to get on with the business of NTCA ."

Mr Connolly enjoyed the advancements during his term but not the frustrations.

"Truth appears to have become an entity of rarity but most frightenedly and of such striking importance as to give us all pause, is the effect of the diminishment of the meaning of words, and the honesty they speak," he said.

"All of the issues I speak about, would benefit from a more honest and direct discourse from those we speak with."

NTCA chief executive officer Will Evans commended the outgoing president for his truthfulness and, commitment to tackling the big issues and making people feel uncomfortable about it.

"I often wonder about the lies we are willing to accept and what words we are willing to say and not say, to avoid destruction or judgement from others, I was proud of David's speech because of its truthfulness and honesty," he said.

"It has been a privilege to work with David Connolly and we are very excited to have a new president to lead and continue the traditions David has created."

Mr Evans also expressed the critical importance of supporting regions in the NT and believed the conference played an integral role in maintaining this support.

"This is one of the only opportunities pastoralists get to come together in the NT to celebrate what is a wonderful industry," he said.

"The size and remoteness of the industry we work in means it is often difficult to catch up. To be able to do this every year for decades, is a significant milestone for the industry to celebrate."

Mr Evans also shed light on the significance of holding the association's milestone event at Alice Springs.

"In the last few years, it really looked like we were not going to be able to come back to Alice. With the crime and situation in town, it is increasingly difficult to hold these events in the area and we were concerned about the impact on membership," he said.

"Alice is struggling and it is even difficult to find staff to hold basic government functions, so it speaks volume of the industry that we gathered this many people for the event."

Severe flooding and rainfall across northern NT did dampen some pastoralists' efforts to attend the event but despite this, Mr Evans was optimistic about the impact on the season ahead.

"Once the flooding subsides, we hope to see new pasture growth and I expect a very strong season across most parts of the NT," he said.