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Women in Agriculture in Australia – pledge to support leadership roles



On 7 June 2018 AgriFutures Australia announced its pledge to support women in agriculture in leadership roles. 

In what has been described as a ‘watershed moment’, 11 leading agricultural bodies have pledged to ensure more women take on leadership roles within their organisations. AgriFutures Australia and 10 other leading bodies have pledged a commitment to support women in agriculture to take on positions of influence.

The pledges are a part of the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program, led by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF). President of the NFF, Fiona Simson said, “It is an extremely powerful message delivered by these leading bodies within our industry.” 

AgriFutures Australia’s pledge:

Currently at AgriFutures Australia:
  • 42% of our Board members are women;
  • 50% of our leadership team are women;
  • 30% of our AgriFutures’ Advisory Panel members are women.
     
Our pledge is to support women in agriculture develop their leadership skills, experience and confidence and to work with our industry partners to facilitate their smooth transition into leadership roles including membership on AgriFutures Australia Advisory Panels.

AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, John Harvey, said the organisation is committed to improving gender diversity and said this goes beyond encouraging flexible working arrangements and building awareness about the issue. “The Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program is an excellent practical step and we are proud to be involved as partners. Eight inspiring female leaders have been matched with mentors who will discuss their leadership goals and help guide them on their leadership journey,” said Harvey. 

One of the mentors is AgriFutures Australia Board member Ric Clark. He has been matched with mentee Mary Retallack who is a viticulturist and the Managing Director of Retallack Viticulture. Retallack, who was also the 2012 Rural Women’s Award winner, said she is looking forward to the one-on-one mentoring program. “I am looking forward to working with Ric throughout the mentoring program to reflect, set goals, fine tune my skills and identify leadership opportunities in agribusiness, advocacy, philanthropy, science and international development. It is a tailored professional development opportunity, and the next exciting step in my career,” she said. 







MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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