Australian Rural Leadership Foundation

There is something that happens when you bring people from different parts of rural, regional and remote Australia into the same space.

Stories get shared. Ideas spark. Something shifts.

We have watched it happen over 30 years and across thousands of individuals. The people we work with are proof that leadership is not a title. It is something you choose.

Where in rural Australia are you leading right now?

What does it look like when one act of generosity keeps growing?

Today, the 33rd Australian Rural Leadership Program begins in Sydney, and for the first time in over a decade, three participants are from the Northern Territory: Stuart McGifford, Claire Maradani and Chrischona Schmidt.

All three are on scholarships. All three are connected through an incredible thread of people choosing to pay it forward.

It started when Donna Digby, an Alice Springs local, received a scholarship funded by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation to do the ARLP back in 2020. Inspired by what the program gave her, Donna started the Leadership on Larapinta Fundraising Walk to raise scholarships for other NT leaders.

Since then, 525 donors have got behind the Walks. Today, two of those scholarships belong to Claire and Chrischona. Stuart’s scholarship comes from the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, the same foundation that made it possible for Donna all those years ago.

And this July? Stuart and Claire will lace up their boots and together with Donna walk the Larapinta Trail themselves, fundraising for the next person who needs a hand up.

Generosity is contagious. Congratulations to all three. Your story already inspires us.

Donate to the current campign here 👉 https://hubs.la/Q04k--Xs0

Meet the Network Weavers!

In June, the first five Network Weavers from each of the 12 community Impact regions will come together in Mildura for the National Impact Forum as part of the Future Drought Fund Communities Program.

Across three days, from 23 to 25 June 2026, participants will build national connections, share regional insights and strengthen the practical skills they can take back into their communities.
The Forum will explore social and drought resilience, systems leadership, human centred design, critical thinking, facilitation and the power of strong networks.

Most importantly, it will create space for people from different regions to learn from each other, strengthen their confidence and support collaborative action in the places they call home.

Swipe through to meet the five Network Weavers from each region. 👉

We can’t wait to see what grows from this national gathering.

This program received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. It’s delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation in partnership with the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal. Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry FRRR

Continuing the celebration with two more of our alumni recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours Meritorious Awards list.

Anthony (Wayne) Champion PSM and Paul Walmsley PSM have each received Meritorious Awards for outstanding public service.
Their work reflects a deep commitment to regional communities and to the practical leadership that helps people and places thrive.

Congratulations Wayne and Paul, and to all who received recognition in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List.

What an honour to see four of our own recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours Order of Australia list.

Lucinda Corrigan AM, Bryce Camm AM, Janet Drummond OAM, and the late Annette Burke OAM have each been named in the 2026 Order of Australia.

Their contributions span the meat and livestock industry, beef cattle leadership, local government, and community service. What they share is a deep commitment to rural, regional and remote Australia and to showing up for the people around them.

We are so proud to call them part of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) alumni community.

Congratulations to all four, and to every Australian recognised this year.

Jen Smith grew up surrounded by the timber and dairy communities of East Gippsland. She left for Melbourne to study social sciences, then, as she puts it, found herself in love with a farmer and back in the country.

That pull back to place ended up shaping everything that came next.
After 15 months on the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP), Jen walked away with something she hadn't expected: a clearer way of seeing. Not just the land, but the people on it, and how to bring them with her.

She is now one of the voices pushing for a different conversation around soil health in Australian agriculture. One grounded in shared values, not fear. One that meets farmers where they actually are.
Her story is a good reminder that the most meaningful shifts in leadership rarely look dramatic from the outside.

Read it at the link below.

https://hubs.la/Q04kLWNJ0

Turns out even leadership foundations need to practise accountability from time to time.

In our excitement to introduce the Australian Rural Leadership Program Course 33 cohort, we accidentally left a valued partner off the list of supporters.

A big thank you to AgriFutures Australia, a long-standing ARLF partner and sponsor of two participants in this year's cohort. Their unwavering commitment to developing leaders across rural, regional and remote Australia has helped create opportunities for people to grow their leadership and contribute to the future of their industries and communities.

We're proudly human-run, which means the occasional human error slips through. We're grateful for the chance to correct the record and recognise the important role AgriFutures Australia plays in supporting leadership development.

Thank you to all our partners and sponsors who make programs like ARLP possible. Swipe for full list 👉

Agriculture Victoria AgriFutures Australia CBH Group CPC - Consolidated Pastoral Company Cotton Australia Dairy Australia Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Fletchers International Meat Exports Meat & Livestock Australia National Indigenous Australians Agency Prime Super Telstra Torres Strait Regional Authority

Course 33 is here and the line-up is inspiring!

We’re proud to introduce the participants of the Australian Rural Leadership Program C33 🎉

Over the next 15 months, these courageous leaders from across rural, regional and remote Australia will take part in a series of immersive experiences designed to stretch, challenge and connect them.

Each brings their own perspective, purpose and passion, and we can’t wait to see what unfolds. Thank you to the many partners and sponsors who make this program possible. Together, we’re building leadership that is grounded in place, strengthened through connection and ready to shape the future.

📣 Know someone in the cohort? Proud of the leadership growing in your region? Share this post and help celebrate these incredible names across your networks.

Agriculture Victoria Fletchers International Meat Exports AgriFutures Australia CBH GROUP Cotton Australia Cotton Research and Development Corporation Dairy Australia - Western Australia Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Gardiner Foundation Grains Research and Development Corporation Meat & Livestock Australia National Indigenous Australians Agency Prime Super Telstra

Registrations now open for Changemaker Online, 4–5 August 2026

If you’re navigating complexity, leading change, or feeling the pressure to make the right call in uncertain conditions, this experience is for you.

Across two powerful sessions, you’ll build the clarity, confidence, and capability to lead in ways that bring others with you.

Join us on 4–5 August and start leading with greater impact.

Book your place now 🔗 https://hubs.la/Q04k0Xc10