Introducing Andal Shreedaran and Quick-Fire Podcasting Media Training in Perth Next Monday

This is global technology PR specialist, writer and podcasting expert, Andal Shreedaran. She is working with Perth Media next Monday morning, 21st November, from 9.30-12.30. Interviewing clients (as a business reporter would) and making podcasts from the interview. Each session consists of a 10-minute formal business-style interview and 20-minute media training workshop, including narrowing down answers for specific questions.  Cost for the completed podcast, and workshop is $200.

This is a fantastic opportunity to sharpen your verbal communication and improve your skills answering questions in a formal interview. Andal has global experience assisting the CEOs of technology companies to explain their businesses simply and effectively.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andalshreedaran

Winner Announced Tonight in Perth: TELETHON ADVENTURERS A FINALIST IN TELSTRA BUSINESS AWARDS

PRESS RELEASE

7 July 2016

TELETHON ADVENTURERS A FINALIST IN TELSTRA BUSINESS AWARDS

‘Helping End Childhood Cancer, One Adventure at a Time’

A PERTH charity that has raised more than $8.5m for childhood cancer research – through sponsored adventure tours around the world – is a finalist in the 2016 Telstra Business Awards for the first time.

Emily Parish, co-founder of Telethon Adventurers with her husband Rick, said: “The Telethon Adventurers team is thrilled to announce that it is a Western Australian finalist in the 2016 Telstra Business Awards – Charity section.”

“We are so grateful to each and every one of you who have contributed to this charity. It is only because of our committed and passionate community that Telethon Adventurers is where it is today. Your hard work and drive are the reasons why our mission has been so successful. When we started Telethon Adventurers six years ago, we could never have imagined that the charity would have such a positive impact on the lives of so many affected by childhood brain cancer.

“The hard work of all the event participants, and their support crews, over the past six years has been amazing. We have been continually surprised by how much so many of you have given and now the charity (that you all helped to create to celebrate Elliot's legacy) has been officially recognised by the prestigious Telstra Business Awards.”

She said research into treatment of brain cancer in children in WA was at the forefront globally, but urgent funds were needed to continue that work.

“Treatment options for childhood brain cancer, nor survival rates for those that suffer from it, haven’t progressed in decades, yet it is the most deadliest and least funded disease,” Mrs Parish said. “Every year Telethon Adventurers raises extraordinary amounts of funds (more than $8.5 million to date) to help end childhood cancer and we focus on supporting those on the front line: medical professionals conducting research into brain tumors.”

There are several main Perth-based programs that funding has gone into including: Brain Tumour Immune Therapy Research; Drug Discovery Program; and the Elliot Parish Fellowship in Cancer Research at the Telethon Kids’ Institute; and the Telethon Adventurers Fellowship in Haematology and Oncology at the Princess Margaret Hospital for Children.

“We are as committed as ever to helping kids with cancer but we can only do this with the continued support of the generous Western Australian community,” Mrs Parish said.

The winner will be announced this Friday night.

To donate right now, please go to: https://heroix.everydayhero.com.au/event/Telethon-Adventurers-Community-Fundraising/donate

http://www.theadventurers.com.au/

For more information please contact:

Narelle Antonio, administration and marketing coordinator, Telethon Adventures

nantonio@seven.com.au, 0402311186

Cate Rocchi, CEO Perth Media

cate@perthmedia.com.au, 0428431699

2016 Adventures (Organised by Telethon Adventurers): Places still available.

 Singapore Luxury Survivor (July 29- August 1, 2016) 

An adventure of a different kind for Telethon Adventurers! This adventure is for the discerning person who won't climb a mountain but who still wants to do their bit to raise money for Telethon Adventurers... in a more comfortable way.

 Singapore Luxury Survivor will be a four-day escape to Singapore that will test your skills to "outshop", "outraise" and "outlast" your teammates. You will be based in a luxurious 5 star hotel, seeing the sights, trying your hand at skydiving without jumping out of a plane and many other exciting experiences.

Cost: $3,600 (plus your fundraising promise of at least $5,000). Team Leaders are Emily Parish and Paul McAllister. Registrations of Interest to: paulmcallister@iinet.net.au

Bali Mt Agung (September 22-September 26, 2016) 

Short on time and craving some adventure, then this little Bali getaway is for you! It is mountains meets water meets yoga and finally settles on relaxation all wrapped up in one package.

The trip starts with a massage, then we get straight into a night climb up Bali's highest mountain, Mt Agung, where we aim to be on the summit for sunrise. Following our climb, there is a day of white water rafting, yoga and a celebration dinner. A short, sweet and incredibly memorable adventure.

 Cost: $1600.00 per person (plus fundraising target). Team Leader is Lauren Elliott.

 More 2016 Events

 Inaugural Telethon Adventurers Ball(called the Brainchild Ball) will be held on Saturday 23rd July 2016 in the Astral Ballroom, Crown, Perth.  All funds raised will go to Telethon Kids Institute Brain Tumour Research laboratory under Dr Nick Gottardo.

 The night, titled Le Gourmet Soiree, will feature a specially crafted three-course French menu with accompanying French wines. Chef Guillaume has created the menu for the evening and will take part in a special Q&A segment to reveal some of his French cooking secrets and our Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be iconic Australian actor and comedian Peter Rowsthorn.

 The 2017 Adventures will be formally launched at the ball. Next year’s events include adventures featuring  Macchu Picchu, Thailand,  an Around the World Olympic Challenge,  Japan, and Mt Elbrus in Russia.

About Telethon Adventurers

Perth-based Telethon Adventurers was founded by Perth couple Rick and Emily Parish in 2010, after their young son Elliot passed away due to cancer.

It is a group of people dedicated to finding the cause and ultimately the cure for childhood cancer; they raise money by conducting adventurous, arduous and sometimes dangerous activities all over the world.

In 2011, the Adventurers partnered with Channel 7’s Telethon becoming The Telethon Adventurers and the list of Adventures and the all-important dedicated Adventurers has continued to grow. Mountains have been climbed all over the world, continents crossed on motorbikes, planes jumped out of and kilometres cycled – to date raising over $8.5 million dollars.

The Adventurers are volunteers, from all walks of life, people just like you who decide to take on a personal challenge and encourage their friends, family and colleagues to support their fundraising efforts. Each year approximately six very different Adventures are sanctioned by the Telethon Adventurers as official avenues to fundraise. Once signed up each adventurer funds their own trip and in turn commits to a fundraising target that can be achieved in various ways; each adventurer achieves a great personal goal and becomes part of a movement that has raised over $1 million each year. One person really can make a difference. 

In February 2013, the Adventurers funded the first Global Symposium on Childhood Brain Tumours. The three-day symposium attracted over 50 of the world’s leading researchers, oncologists and neurosurgeons to Western Australia. The result of this ground-breaking meeting was a published international agreement to form a collaborative approach into research and results – an agreement that brought the discovery of a cure years closer.

http://www.theadventurers.com.au/

About Telethon Adventurers’ Beneficiaries

Elliot Parish Fellowship in Cancer Research (Year 4 of 5) 

In 2011 the Telethon Adventurers committed to this Fellowship for 5 years and granted funding to Dr Jacqueline Whitehouse’s research (formally Dr Jacqueline McGlade) under the mentorship of Dr Nick Gottardo and Dr Raelene Endersby.  Dr Whitehouse undertook research in identifying key genes involved in the development of brain cancer in children and how to target these genes in order to create effective treatments for children with minimal side effects.  Dr Whitehouse is now taking a moresupporting role in the laboratory and as a result,  this year the Fellowship will be fundingDr Megan Howlett and Dr Jacqui McGlade, so that in collaboration they can continue this vital research already underway.

Head of Pre Trial and Scientific Research, Brain Tumour Research Program (Year 2 of 5)

The Brain Tumour Research Program at the Telethon Kids Institute drives research along the entire continuum of the drug development and discovery pipeline, with a singular goal - to find cures for brain cancer.   Research projects undertaken in this area integrate clinical, pre-clinical and basic science to discover answers to beat childhood brain cancer. Dr Raelene Endersby has lead the scientific research within the Program since 2011 and has extensive expertise in cancer genetics and pre-clinical trials. Through further funding Dr Endersby can continue leadership over the Program at TKI and develop strategic national and international collaborations to expedite discoveries and their implementation in the clinic.

Brain Tumour Immune Therapy Research (Year 2 of 3)

 As a result of global research cancer treatment options and therapies continue to evolve. An example of such, is a new treatment therapy called immunotheraphy which endeavours to unleashing the patient’s own immunity and execute long-lived tumour destruction. At TKI Dr Jason Waithman and Dr Raelene Endersby are working in collaboration to investigate the potential of using this new treatment option as a treatment for paediatric brain tumours. Their work in this area has also lead to further collaboration with Dr Robert Wechsler-Reya in the USA who is also looking at this therapy treatment option. 

 Drug Discovery Program in Partnership with Phylogica (Year 4 of 5)

Since January 2011 the Telethon Adventurers have funded innovative drug discovery projects in partnership between the Brain Tumour Research Program and Phylogica- the first spin off company from TKI. Phyogica is a drug discovery company that recently made the decision to focus their research and development efforts in oncology.

 Global Collaboration Funding (ongoing)

The Telethon Adventurers provide funding to ensure international collaboration between clinicians and researchers who are working on treatment options for medulloblastoma. In 2015, the funding was used to bring three world-leading medulloblastoma clinicians to WA. Their visit led to hands on training for staff in new brain tumour methodologies and many fruitful discussions, resulting in collaborative research programs which are currently underway.

 Telethon Adventurers Fellowship in Haematology and Oncology (Year 4)

The Telethon Adventurers Haematology and Oncology Fellowship is a yearly clinical fellowship for a senior medical trainee in paediatric oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (PMH) The Fellowship combines clinical training in paediatric oncology as well as training in childhood cancer research. As this is a highly specialised area, having adequate training opportunities for senior medical trainees is essential to ensure adequately skilled staff to work in this area.  This fellowship was awarded to Dr Chris Howell from 2014-2105.

Press Release Express

Press Release Express: This is the most popular service, here at Perth Media....right now. A former financial journalist, with more than 20 years experience, can turn a conversation and news idea into a high-quality press release very efficiently.

Find yourself struggling with wording for days? Keep postponing your writing chores? Not happy with in-house press releases? Outsource this tricky task to a professional, so you can focus on running your business or organisation.

Press releases can be easily converted to high-quality interesting blogs, that can boost your google rankings. So not only can they help with media pitching your news story to the media, the same stories can be converted into content for e-newsletters and blogs (for facebook, linkedin, twitter and others).

If you have a news idea, call us now on 0428431699, and Perth Media will give you itsstraight forward common sense advice. If we think your readers will be interested in the news story, then Perth Media will craft your story(up to 600 words) within 24 hours.

Cost: $350 per high-quality, press/media release or $3600 (for one bespoke press/media release per month per annum).

Perth Media's Content Featuring Wesfarmers' Richard Goyder in WA Business News

Photograph by Perth Media: Leadership WA's Robin McClellan with Wesfarmers' Richard Goyder

Perth Media produced written and visual content continues to roll out in WA Business News digital. Fascinating discussions/articles on leadership, profiling conversations between Leadership WA CEO Robin McClellan and Australian business and community leaders. This series will run for several months.

https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/10-minutes-on-leadership-with-Richard-Goyder?utm_source=Business%20News%20Mailing%20List&utm_campaign=f48e995b9a-dba&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e5391356e5-f48e995b9a-289103977

Clever Content Creates Connections: Bespoke Social Media Posters from $160 per month

NEW: Social Media poster bundle packages ($1500 per annum or $160 per month); includes 3 striking social media posters per month; two, 1-hour social media content strategy sessions, with report (one initial meeting and one at 6 months); Do you have a social media poster strategy that reflects your company's aim and ideas? Are the social media visuals being produced in-house good enough? The Perth Media team can help create clever content that will engage your clients and customers.

Perth Media-Sponsored Movie Night This Saturday on Target to Raise $1000 for Fiji School Rebuild

Great movie night at Luna SX in Fremantle this Saturday night, starting at 5pm. Free goodie bags for the kids and great cause. Film is Hunt for the Wilderpeople..Tickets $30 each.

All funds will go to Vunikavikaloa Arya School (Vunika for short) in Fiji to rebuild their school.
https://www.facebook.com/friendsofVunikaPS/
My friend Ruxandra Lazarescu, is currently living in Fiji,  and she will be administering the funds raised personally.

Thank you, Cate Rocchi (CEO Perth Media)

Please join us: RSVP to cate@perthmedia.com.au and you will be invoiced.

Perth Media: Big Concrete Results For Australian Vanadium Ltd and Leadership WA

Perth Media back office media work has paid concrete dividends for a number of clients recently, including Australian Vanadium Ltd and Leadership WA, as both profiles continue to build -  to the general public and targeted audiences.

Perth Media client, AVL Ltd, has featured in a number of excellent business stories, after Australian Stock Exchange announcements were distributed and media pitched via Perth Media's Business/Resources/Mining Database (250+ reporters/editors/journalists in Australia and internationally). Results included stories in The West Australian; Mining News; Mining Journal; NT News; and Renew Economy.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/31641593/could-this-cube-power-your-business

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/31633996/australian-vanadium-soars-on-battery-sale/

http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/australian-vanadium-targets-commercial-battery-storage-market-95616

http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/breaking-news/avl-sells-first-cellcube-vanadium-battery/news-story/b520898b444b6dd4765d864d8f9926ea

10 Minutes on Leadership series with WA Business News and Leadership WA is rolling out weekly, digitally. Much of the content (including photographs) has been produced by Perth Media, and it is a fantastic result for the client, showcasing some of Australia's top business and community leaders.

Here are the first two, Andrew Harding (Rio Tinto) and Andrew Crane (CBH)

https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/10-minutes-on-leadership-with-Andrew-Harding

https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/10-minutes-on-leadership-with-Andrew-Crane

Netball Wisdom: Momentum is Crucial and Other Lessons

'Confidence can produce miracles'

After more than 30 years of hitting the court, winding up with several nasty rolled ankles and an excruciating broken finger in 2015 (yes that did make writing difficult), I am unlikely to play netball or basketball again.

It has been a global journey – from playing for Yanchep Primary School in gold T-shirts and pleated brown skirts at netball land (Kingsley courts near Wanneroo)  when the area surrounding was thick bush not houses in the early 1980s; to school teams; Saturdays in Kununurra; Lords after work in my 20s;  exhibition matches in London; UK teams in the counties; the Australian Association in Hong Kong; and the fantastic Mods at Palmyra and Vixens down at Lakeside, Bibra Lake, in recent years. 

Playing competitive sport has taught so much….about life. Here is a list:

1.              Doesn't matter how good your defense is, if your shooters can’t convert you are never going to win. This reminds me of some clients – their factories are ship shape and products first class, but competitors (with inferior products) have out marketed and out sold them. IE scored more goals.

2.              If someone is a ball hogger, the team is more vulnerable.

3.              Being the prettiest doesn't count – fitness, hard work, skill and effort does.

4.              Oldies can be chocoblock with tricks and tips, and often position their bodies cleverly.

5.              Young players are less likely to shine if bullied and occasionally captains and coaches need to step in to stamp out any nonsense.

6.              Mostly bitching came from girls who weren’t confident or happy within themselvesbut, very rarely, some women just seem to be born nasty.

7.              Even good women can behave badly, everyone needs to help them get back on the right track.

8.              Confidence can produce miracles.

9.              No place for self delusion. You can’t hide from lack of skill. If you are out of your depth, not to worry there is a place for you, at a lower division.

10.           You can forgive a slower player if their hands are safe.

11.           A highly skilled team working well can bring home the cup.

12.           It’s a nicer game if everyone plays by the rules but every now and again there are just some horrible players and there is something wrong with them – you have to sit out the game and wait for things to pass.

13.           Anxiety passes and is sometimes good.

14.           Being flat footed can be disastrous.

15.           You have no idea how good someone is, until they hit the court running.

16.           You have to give it your best shot until the siren, then move onto the next game.

17.           Momentum is crucial.

18.           A good pass out in front is a beautiful thing.

19.           A crap pass behind is annoying.

20.           The game is played differently all over the world and you need to adapt and respect each place. In Kununurra it was practically a full blown contact sport in 1995, while in the UK it was unacceptable to touch the other player.

21.           If you outplay a girl on court, she is not necessarily going to like you and that is ok.

22.           As you age, flexibility is key. In my early 20s at GD, I could often shut down a GA and could turn games but in my 40s (playing with girls in their 20s) I was grateful to be in the team and kept my spot by being crafty in attack.

23.           Positivity is everything.

24.           Negativity destroys chances.

25.           You are responsible for setting high standards of fair play.

26.           Many Aboriginal women in Western Australia are gold: the best kind of women, strong, funny, loyal and talented, and thanks to sport it was my privilege to know and play with many.

27.           Umpires are essential otherwise there is chaos. Always easy to criticize umpires, or anything from the outside, unless you do it.  A stint netball umpiring was a life changing leadership lesson for me.

28.           Women need time to have babies and should be welcomed back and encouraged as they regain their fitness. It you do that you will have a stronger team for a longer period of time.

29.           Women are often let down by babysitters and have to bring their children to the game, and everyone needs to support the mother by welcoming her children.

30.           Silence is often best.

31.           Winging about team mates never helps.

32.           Winning is more fun.

33.           There are NO excuses for being late to a big match.

34.           Your body ages, enjoy every game while you can. Life is short.

35.           Many taller players out rebounded me (no matter how high I tried to jump) and many shorter players were quicker, and that is life.

36.           There is no perfect player. Even stars drop the ball.

37.           On court, no one cares what suburb you live in, who you know or what car you drive. They are concerned about reliability, natural talent and effort, and that is how life should be.

By Perth Media CEO Cate Rocchi

Partners in Grain WA Testimonial for Inspire Summit in Perth

Perth Media help attract press coverage for client Partners in Grain WA in The Weekend Australian's Business Pulse of the Nation; The Countryman; Farming Ahead Online; ABC Mid West; ABC Great Southern; and ABC South West.

"Partners in Grain WA recently held a Summit that had limited opportunity for participants to attend and was not open to the general public, however the importance of the event being held and the learnings coming out of it were relevant and valuable to the wider industry. Engaging Perth Media was instrumental in gaining state and national exposure of the Summit, its key achievements, awareness of our organisation and our ability to exceed sponsors expectations. Cate’s PR skills turned our relatively small event into a positive national news story for the farming sector and wider agricultural and business sectors."

Erin Green, coordinator, Partners in Grain WA

From left: Todd Charteris (national manager of Rabobank); Erin Green (Partners in Grain WA coordinator); Steve Kelly (acting WA manager of Rabobank); and Laura Grubb (speaker, Youth-Ag delegate and WA Agvocate). Picture: Perth Media

 

Partners In Grain WA's Summit in Perth Inspires Wheatbelt Farm Businesses

Picture: Perth Media

Grain Industry Leaders Organise Innovative Perth Summit for Growers

‘Inspiring Next Generation of Wheatbelt Farm Businesses to Recognise their Part in the World Economy’

Partners in Grain (PinG) WA will be hosting 130 women from Western Australia’s Wheatbelt as participants at their inaugural Inspire Summit at the Pagoda in South Perth on April 6-7.

PinG WA chairperson Nicole Batten said WA women play a vital role in the management of farm businesses and this conference supports their learning and therefore facilitates the growth of the grain industry. Women attending the conference will travel from many Wheatbelt areas – as far as Geraldton in the north across to Merredin and Esperance.

“Western Australian farmers – growing wheat, barley, oats, lupins and canola – are some of the most efficient grain farmers in the world and Partners in Grain WA aims to support this important industry,” Mrs Batten said. “According to the Department of Agriculture and Food, wheat is the major grain crop in WA, making up 70 per cent of total annual cereal production and generating around $A2 billion for the state economy each year. Wheat production occurs across the WA Wheatbelt on 4000, mostly, family-run farms ranging in size from 1000-15,000 hectares. WA generates 8-10 million tonnes of wheat per annum which is 50% of Australia’s total annual wheat production.”

The two-day conference is the next step on from popular business skills workshops delivered by PinG – it is aimed at women who already know the basics of operating a farm business but are keen to learn more. The conference has already sold out and a waiting list is now running.

“The conference will facilitate networking opportunities, further strengthening farm businesses and their associated communities,” said Mrs Batten. “Speakers and discussions also generate ideas and subsequent innovation – vital for those in the grains industry, who often operate in remote areas. Upskilling women on farms will add to the productivity, prosperity and sustainability of grain farms. The PinG summit is an opportunity for women in our grain growing businesses to reach their potential by, not only increasing their networks, but gaining the tools, knowledge and confidence to go to the next level in either their business, community or industry. We are not just small business operators, but part of the world economy and the Inspire Summit aims to grow the potential of the people behind it.”

Conference topics will include: promoting a global perspective, promoting agriculture positively, farm boards and governance opportunities, human resources, social media and technology, advanced office management, overcoming adversity, succession and communication and negotiation.

WA Coordinator Erin Green, who is also a grain grower in Yuna (north of Geraldton), said: “As a not-for-profit, the opportunities PinG provides are otherwise unavailable or inaccessible to growers. Since taking on this role, we’ve coordinated more than 70 training events across WA to more than 850 growers. Although this event is aimed at women, 30% of participants overall have been men. After PinG WA events, 99% of participants recommended the training to other growers.”

The event is sponsored by Rabobank as the Summit Partner. Rabobank acting state manager for Western Australia, Steve Kelly said: “The Inspire Summit is a great opportunity to recognise the importance of women in agribusiness and farming. Women wear many hats in their farming businesses, and are often integral in not only the day-to-day running of the business but financial management, human resources and marketing. This summit aims to enhance these skills, which can not only be applied back into the business but in community and industry initiatives.”

INSPIRE is supported through sponsorship from Rabobank as the Summit Partner. Planfarm, RSM, CBH, GRDC, DAFWA and Telstra are Summit Sponsors.

http://partnersingrain.org.au/regions/western-australia/coming-events/inspire-summit/

Contact:

Partners in Grain

Erin Green
WA Coordinator; 0429108936 wa@partnersingrain.org.au

Rabobank,
Steve Kelly
Acting State Manager, WA; stephen.kelly@rabobank.com; 0427427251

Perth Media

Cate Rocchi
cate@perthmedia.com.au; 0428431699

ABOUT NICOLE BATTEN (PARTNERS IN GRAIN WA CHAIRPERSON)

Grain industry leader Nicole Batten, is a grain and livestock farmer based near Yuna, north of Geraldton, more than 500km north-east of Perth. She lives with her husband Jason and two children. Nicole is a director in the farm business and plays a hands-on role within the administration and Dorper stud activities. The farming system and decision-making process is based on sustainability in a low rainfall zone using precision agriculture technology, along with cropping and livestock integration. She is also vice chair of the national PinG organisation and one of four finalists in the 2016 RIRDC Rural Women’s Award. Nicole will soon complete a three-year term as WA PinG chair and is due to be made chair of the national PinG in August 2016.

Nicole has also recently been appointed as a farming representative on the National Centre for Farmer Health Advisory Group, a partnership between Western District Health Service and Deakin University in Hamilton, Victoria. NCFH aims to make a difference to farmers’ lives focusing on the often-overlooked human factor within farming enterprises.

Furthermore, Nicole is a community development officer at the Shire of Chapman Valley and has attended agricultural study tours to New Zealand and East Java with Influential Women. “That has had a significant impact on my passion toward small rural communities and the people within them,” Nicole said. “The shared passion for agriculture is huge. We are all growing food to live, whether it is to feed our families, a region or country. Whilst we have contrasting cultures and methods, as women we have the same priorities in family, education and health. In rural communities across Australia, this takes priority just as it does in Indonesia, or anywhere in the world. The Australian agricultural industry needs communities to survive and keep people on the land who are passionate about what they do. The East Java delegation was a powerful group of ladies with strong networks and industry influences across WA. To be involved in this experience has increased my thirst for knowledge and involvement in our international commodities market as well as the sustainability of rural communities.”

ABOUT ERIN GREEN (PARTNERS IN GRAIN WA COORDINATOR)

Grain industry leader Erin Green lives on an 8800-hectare farm near Yuna, north of Geraldton, with her husband Brady and two daughters. The farm is 100% cropping, with a mix of wheat, lupins, canola and barley. The management of the farm business has changed significantly in the past 10 years. After a drought in 2006, livestock were removed and the farm has completely transitioned into a Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) system. “We’ve implemented a Farm Advisory Board to assist with strategic management of our business,” Erin said.

She has been the WA coordinator of PinG since 2013. “Being a grower, WA Coordinator of PinG and member of the Rabobank Local Client Council allows me to see different perspectives of farming and has given me a good understanding of where growers’ business skills are at, the support they are seeking and how beneficial professional development opportunities can be,” she said. Erin has a Bachelor of Agribusiness Marketing, has worked as a development officer with the Mingenew-Irwin Group and in marketing and public relations. She has been the secretary of Yuna Farm Improvement Group and is a current Rabobank Local Client Council member. In 2014, Erin was selected as WA’s representative to attend Rabobank’s Young Farmer’s Masterclass in the Netherlands. This was a 10-day leadership program for about 40 farmers, under the age of 40, from 16 different countries.

“Farmers manage multi-million dollar businesses with extremely small budgets and time allocations for management (when compared to other industries),” Erin said. “On top of this, agriculture is an all-encompassing industry where you live where you work and it can be extremely difficult to manage physically and mentally when times are tough. The more we share ideas between farms and responsibilities within farms the more enjoyable and manageable our farming days should be. We all want to be successful but we also want neighbours to enjoy it with. Who wants to be the last farmer remaining? Yes, the money is made in the paddocks but, as margins become tighter and businesses become larger, it can also be wasted through mismanagement in the office. Farmers shouldn’t underestimate their knowledge, but they also shouldn’t be expected to know everything. Know your skills and know when to ask/pay others for their skills. In respect to farming and agriculture, I am passionate about growers’ understanding the value in their knowledge and presenting themselves professionally as individuals and as an industry. If we want to attract people to this industry and be respected in the business and consumer world, the old stereotype of what a farmer is and does needs to be changed, and we are the only ones who can do it.”

ABOUT PARTNERS IN GRAIN (WA)

Partners in Grain (PinG) – established in 2001 by Grains Research and Development Commission managing director Professor John Lovett – is a national, not-for-profit organisation that facilitates professional development opportunities for farming businesses. It delivers demand-driven, flexible and innovative programs are tailored to the needs of Australian grain growers. The organisation aims to foster a culture of networking, sharing and mentoring to encourage more active participation in the industry. PinG is about increasing innovation and leadership within the industry through learning, networking, partnerships and communication.

To effectively represent the diversity of growers across Australia, PinG operates under a structure of five states or regions. From the ground up each state has a volunteer Reference Group consisting mostly of growers, but also of industry representatives and interested stakeholders. Through input from their local communities and industry contacts, the Reference Group guides and supports a State Coordinator who facilitates the business of their region. An overarching National Reference Group and Executive Manager ensures the five separate states work cohesively, maximising the potential of Partners in Grain across Australia.

For more information go to: www.partnersingrain.org.au or Like Facebook Partners in Grain WA.

WA GRAIN STATISTICS

• According to the Department of Agriculture and Food, wheat is the major grain crop in WA, making up 70 per cent of total annual cereal production and generating around $2 billion for the state economy each year.

• Wheat production occurs across the WA Wheatbelt on 4000, mostly, family-run farms ranging in size from 1000-15,000 hectares. WA generates 8-10 million tonnes per annum which is 50% of Australia’s total annual wheat production.

• More than 95% is exported to the Middle East and Asia.

• https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/grains-research-development/western-australian-wheat-industry

• Barley makes up 25% of the state’s cereal crop and delivers $0.65 billion in barley grain and malt export earnings each

  year. Forty per cent of barley produced is delivered as malting grade destined for Japanese, Chinese and Indian beer,

  while the remaining 60% is feed grade and bound for the Middle East.

• WA produces 40 per cent of the nation’s canola. About 2.7 million tonnes is harvested each year, generating $0.6 billion

  for the economy. The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Japan are WA’s largest export markets.

• WA is the world’s largest producer and exporter of lupins, most are for animal feed and are sold to European countries,

  Japan and Korea. It delivers about $65 million in export earnings per annum.

• Oats generate $200 million and the major markets are Mexico, Asia and South Africa.