🐑 Signature Southern Field Trip Day 2 – What a Baa-ll! We had an incredible day exploring the heart of regional WA agriculture. 📍 First stop: Katanning Sheep Saleyards, where Rod Bushell gave us a guided tour and shared insights into the future of sheep trading, the role of the saleyards in the community, and broader trends in WA farming. 🎤 We then heard from Julia Smith, Director of Livestock Research and Industry Innovation at Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, covering the big issues facing WA agriculture, followed by an insightful panel with: ✅ Nicole Batten (Signature 2025), Batten Farms ✅ Jim Hamilton (Signature 2025), Maradah Farm ✅ Simon Wallwork (Signature 2023), Hacienda De Trigo Together, they tackled big issues like climate change, land prices and the rise of tech in agriculture, as well as beautiful stories from their farms, homes, and rural communities, showing the brilliant diversity of experience across rural WA. 🏛️ At Katanning Town Hall, participants engaged in a Q&A with local leaders including Cr Kristy D’Aprile, President, Shire of Katanning around rural life and Katanning’s history and future before heading to the Collie Ridge Hotel for dinner. 💬 Special thanks to our dinner guest speaker Cate Brooks, CEO of the South West Development Commission, for sharing her leadership journey and the challenges facing regional WA. 🙏 Thank you to everyone who spoke today, and to our venue hosts for helping create this memorable experience. (fb)

Yesterday, our Signature Leadership Program 2025 cohort began their three-day Southern Field Trip! Over the next three days, 38 emerging leaders will experience firsthand the challenges, opportunities, and community spirit of WA’s South — connecting with locals, discovering national parks and learning from regional organisations. 💼🌱 The journey began at Bindjareb Park, where Karrie-Anne Kearing, Traditional Owner, Keeper of Knowledge and Director, welcomed the group and shared the park’s deep cultural and historical significance. Then came a surprise when the bus got bogged! But with a bit of elbow grease and great teamwork, our group pushed it free. 👊 Next stop: the DFES Bushfire Centre of Excellence, where DFES team members discussed the challenges of rural emergency service and combining First Nations knowledge with contemporary bushfire management to train and support rural emergency services. The day ended with a thought-provoking panel at Narrogin Hospital featuring speakers from WA Country Health Service and Greenfields Primary School. The panel discussed their experiences living in the same town they work in, and their passion for the communities they serve. Thank you to our speakers for lending their voices to the cohorts journey and to Bindjareb Park, Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA and Narrogin Hospital for hosting us. 👉 Stay tuned as we continue this incredible leadership journey through WA’s South. (fb)