Australian Rural Leadership Foundation

Last week, ARLF alumni got together for breakfast in Toowoomba with Interim Chief Executive Philippa Woodhill and Ben Bryant, our new Facilitator in Learning and Innovation.

These catch-ups are always a highlight, a chance to connect with local alumni, hear what's happening across the region and keep the ARLF network strong.

Last week, Cohort 2 of the Murray-Darling Basin Leadership Program (MDBLP) came together in Whitton, near Griffith.

MDBLP, delivered in partnership with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, brings together people from across the Basin who are ready to work beyond their own interests and contribute to something shared, including a stronger understanding of how the Basin's water resources are managed and why they matter.

It's a genuinely diverse cohort, spanning regions, sectors and backgrounds, including First Nations peoples whose knowledge and connection to Country are central to the Basin's long-term health.

A wonderful evening of connection in Mparntwe, Alice Springs.

The Territory Connect networking dinner brought community leaders from across the region together with participants from Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) Cohort 33. Hosted by Territory Connect and Donna Digby, the night made space for meaningful conversations, new introductions and connections across the Territory.

Donna and Territory Connect are also supporting two Cohort 33 participants, Dr Christiane Schmidt and Claire Maradoni, representing Central Australia and the Top End.

A real highlight was the panel chaired by Dan Brown, featuring Rellene Brown, Amber Driver and Kylie Elston, who shared their perspectives and experiences as community leaders working across the Territory.

Thank you to Territory Connect and Donna Digby for bringing people together and giving our Cohort 33 participants such a welcoming opportunity to connect with local leaders and learn more about the people, communities and leadership of the Territory.

We recently brought 15 Rural Research and Development Corporations together for a workshop in Canberra, and what a day it was.

The focus was on strengthening connections across the group and sharing some of the facilitation techniques our team uses to draw out the thinking in the room, not just the loudest voices. Different sectors, cotton, red meat, w**e and more, but so much common ground in the leadership challenges they all face. Helping them collaborate more effectively opens up opportunities for everyone involved.

The National Botanic Gardens was the perfect venue, with that indoor-outdoor flow working a treat.

Thank you to everyone who came along: GRDC, Australian Livestock Exporters' Council Cotton Australia Dairy Australia Cotton RDC, W**e Australia Australian Eggs FRDC Australian Lot Feeders' Association (ALFA), Australian Wool Innovation Meat & Livestock Australia, AgriFutures Australia Australian Meat Processor Corporation and Hort Innovation

What a night at the Rural Women's Award Gala Dinner last week! Huge congratulations to Narelle zanker, this year's national winner and a dairy farmer doing incredible things for her sector. All seven finalists were outstanding, proof of the calibre of women leading across rural, regional and remote Australia.

It was extra special having the whole ARLP Course 32 cohort there together, and we even managed to grab the microphone late in the night to pull everyone in for an alumni photo.
Great to be joined by Board Chair Melissa Fletcher and her daughter Sopheena, Simone Kenmore from ANZ, and ARLF Interim Chief Executive Philippa Woodhill.

Applications for the 2027 Rural Women's Award are open now. Details here: https://hubs.la/Q04xWCqX0

AgriFutures Australia

What a session. ARLP Course 33 spent time in Alice Springs and at Black Tank, an outstation where Aboriginal communities generously shared their stories with our cohort.

Conversations, lessons and real acts of community service, all wrapped up in exploring adaptive challenges on Country.

Thank you to Kings Narrative for hosting and sharing this experience with us.

We're looking for a new Director to join the Board.

For more than 30 years, we have backed the people shaping the future of rural, regional and remote Australia. We're now inviting nominations from leaders ready to contribute their judgment and experience at Board level.

We're particularly interested in capability across legal and governance, fundraising and philanthropy, technology and data, impact and evaluation, the education sector and the for-purpose sector. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to apply.

This is a voluntary role with genuine influence over the strategic direction of Australia's national rural leadership hub.

Nominations close on 30 September 2026. Find out more and apply here: https://hubs.la/Q04xCXSN0

Congratulations to the graduates of Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) Course 32.
Graduation marks the culmination of a leadership journey shaped by courage, curiosity, connection and a genuine commitment to positive change across rural, regional and remote Australia. It also marks a beginning: new opportunities for these graduates to lead, influence and drive impact in their communities and industries.

Thank you to the partners and sponsors who joined us to celebrate this milestone, including Philippa Woodhill, Interim Chief Executive, and Andrew Monk, Board Director.

Your ongoing support makes this work possible.

You are warmly invited to join us in Darwin for an informal Australian Rural Leadership Foundation Gathering and an opportunity to reconnect with alumni and friends.

The evening will provide an opportunity to:

• Reconnect with ARLF alumni
• Hear what’s happening across the ARLF network and future work in NT
• Share what’s happening for you and across your community
• Strengthen connections and explore opportunities to stay involved

When: Thursday 17 September 2026
Time: 4.30pm to 6.30pm

Cost: No cost to attend. Grab your own drinks from the bar and come along for a relaxed afternoon of networking and connection.

Where: Darwin Sailing Club, Fannie Bay NT
RSVP: Please register your attendance using the link below. 👇

https://hubs.la/Q04wsZcW0

We would be delighted to welcome you and encourage you to share this invitation with other ARLF alumni and friends across the NT who may be interested in reconnecting with the network.

Come along for a yarn, make some new connections and enjoy a Darwin sunset together. We’d love to see you there!