Fairley Leadership Program 2025 cohort at their Leadership Day in Girgarre.
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The Fairley Leadership Program 2025 cohort got a taste of Girgarre with their Leadership Training Day, taking a tour around the town’s bustling agriculture and business sectors, and hearing from leaders about their concerns of the community.
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The event began with a farm tour led by third-generation dairy farmer Angus 'Gus' McDonald, who shared insights into current industry challenges.
He highlighted concerns about water scarcity, rising milk production costs and the ageing farming population.
At the Girgarre Town Hall, Central Dairy Business Network chair Andrew Murphy and fourth-generation farmer Craig Emmett discussed youth engagement in agriculture.
“If you are passionate and care about it, then do it,” Mr Emmett said.
Mental health advocate Warren Davies, known as the “Unbreakable Farmer”, led an afternoon session on regional wellbeing and emphasised the importance of mental health support in rural communities.
The Fairley Leadership Program 2025 cohort got a taste of Girgarre, speaking to leaders in the agriculture and business sectors.
Photo by
Contributed
The program included a tour of the Fonterra Factory in Stanhope, where Fairley Fellow Matt Trevaskis showcased the facility's sustainability initiatives, including their wastewater desalination plant.
At Gargarro Café and Botanical Gardens, 2025 Campaspe Shire Citizen of the Year Athol “Doc” McDonald discussed community-driven projects.
Local dairy farmer and teacher Jan Smith highlighted the town's successful initiatives, including the Girgarre Market and annual music festival.
Former dairy farmer and current Campaspe Shire Cr Adrian Weston concluded the day with a session on water infrastructure leadership.
“If you want to bring people together, light a fire,” Cr Weston said.
The Campaspe Place-Based Program Day was sponsored by the Gardiner Foundation.
