Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton pictured with Guy Roth, one of the mentors, a few years ago.

The Australian Government continues to support the next generation of leaders and encourages learning and knowledge sharing to benefit Australian agriculture and the communities that depend on it through the Future Drought Fund (FDF).

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said eight mentees and four mentors have been selected in round two of the FDF Drought Resilience Leaders mentoring program.

“Congratulations to each of the mentees and mentors from across the Parkes electorate who have been selected for round two of the mentoring program,” Mr Coulton said.

“They join 10 mentees and nine mentors from our region who were selected in the first round.

“These participants will now have the opportunity to share knowledge, skills and experience to help build drought resilience to benefit local farming communities.

“The mentoring program will continue nationally with 300 mentees matched with 250 mentors. I’d encourage any interested farmers and those employed in the agricultural sector to contact the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation to find out how they can get involved.

“The Drought Resilience Leaders program also has a series of webinars offered until to June 2022 with a focus on drought, climate, and supporting resilience on farms and communities. Anyone can listen into these webinars.”

For more information on the Future Drought Fund and its program visit: https://www.awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/drought/future-drought-fund/networks-build-drought-resilience

For more information about the Drought Resilient mentoring program visit: https://rural-leaders.org.au/programs/drought-resilience-leaders-program/

Successful mentees in the Parkes electorate:

• Amelia Doering – Crooble
• Tegan Roberts – Bourke
• Hayley Wilson – Dubbo
• Rebecca George – Nevertire
• Anika Molesworth – Broken Hill
• Kate Smith – Moree
• Elodie Tanner – Dubbo
• Oliver Thorne – Dubbo

Successful mentors in the Parkes electorate:

• Kathryn Hines – Broken Hill
• Guy Roth – Narrabri
• Rosalie Siemer – Broken Hill
• Christine White – Coolah

Fast Facts:

• Applications for round three will open in early 2022.
• Round one of the program saw 143 mentees and 117 mentors selected nationally
• A national webinar series with a focus on drought resilience is open to everyone. The series continues to June 2022 with the next webinar on 3 February 2022. This webinar will focus on agriculture in a changing climate.