sharing skills . stepping ahead. - · pdf filetracy lefroy, cranmore home, moora brad jones,...

SHARING SKILLS. STEPPinG AHEAD. An advanced business skills summit for women of WA farm businesses

6 & 7 April 2016

2 – Partners in Grain WA – INSPIRE Summit 2016

CONTENTS

FINAL PROGRAM ............................................................................................................................................................. 4

DAY 1 ............................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Todd Charteris - The Global Future of Agriculture & the opportunities it brings Australian farmers ...................... 8

Laura Grubb - The Next Generation in Agriculture ....................................................................................................... 8

Steve Kelly - Advice I wish clients would take on board: Banker ................................................................................. 9

Judy Snell - Advice I wish clients would take on board: Accountant ........................................................................... 9

Cameron Weeks - Advice I wish clients would take on board: Farm management consultant ............................... 10

Shannah Kennedy - Simplify, Structure, Succeed – getting the best out of yourself .............................................. 11

DAY 2 ............................................................................................................................................................................. 12

Andrew Huffer- Team dynamics and development tools .......................................................................................... 14

Kim Tyrer – Overcoming Adversity .............................................................................................................................. 15

Gerri Hinkley – Overcoming Adversity: Overcoming Managing Adversity ................................................................ 16

Julie Murray - Overcoming Adversity .......................................................................................................................... 17

Tracy Lefroy - Technology & Social Media: the Cranmore Home experience............................................................ 18

Brad Jones - Technology & Social Media: The cloud - can provide more than just rain ........................................... 19

Boyd Brown - Technology & Social Media: Mobile Telecommunications in rural WA .............................................. 20

Libby Browne – Farm Succession: A bumpy road ....................................................................................................... 21

Catherine Watkins – Farm Succession ......................................................................................................................... 21

Judy Snell – Succession: Fundamentals on how to approach and manage succession. ........................................... 22

Natalie Bowman – Boards & Governance: Bowman Farming – our board in practice ............................................. 23

Erin Gorter – Boards & Governance: Building strength and value in agriculture and communities, underpinned by

good governance .......................................................................................................................................................... 24

Greg Kirk – Boards & Governance: How and Why Growers should adopt better governance processes. .............. 25

Tracey Ebert - Employment & Safety: Being a Better Boss – Employer of Choice .................................................... 26

Tara Vermeersch – Employment & Safety: Industrial Relations – the political grenade .......................................... 27

Maree Gooch – Employment & Safety: Farm Safety Is Everyone’s Business …. because people are the most

important asset ............................................................................................................................................................ 28

Colin De Grussa – Efficient Offices: My paperless office system ................................................................................ 29

Julie Ramm – Office Efficiencies: My experience with utilising the Agrimaster program to its potential. .............. 30

Kate Keamy – Efficient Offices: Managing & understanding your finances to improve business performance…. .. 31

Margo Halbert – Influential Communication: Inspiring yourself & others ................................................................ 32

RAB00316-11570

We’re focused on your community’s growth Proud sponsor of the Inspire Summit 2016

We’re an agribusiness bank. That’s why we’re committed to the growth of your communities and businesses. Our local experts live and work where you do. This exclusive focus is just one of the reasons we have the most satisfied clients in the industry, and it’s why we’re proud to sponsor the Inspire Summit 2016.

Rabobank. One focus.

Call us on 1300 30 30 33 or visit www.rabobank.com.au


FINAL PROGRAM

SHARING SKILLS. STEPPinG AHEAD. An advanced business skills summit for women of WA farm businesses.

DAY 1 - WEDNESDAY 6th APRIL

1.00 pm ARRIVE & REGISTER – functions foyer & alfresco

1.30 pm WELCOME & OPENING ADDRESS Nicole Batten - Partners in Grain, WA Chair (Outgoing)

Julianne Hill - MC

AFTERNOON THEME: You & Your Business in the Global Game of Agriculture

1.50 pm The global future of agriculture & the opportunities it brings Australian farmers

Todd Charteris – National Manager, Rabobank

2.25 pm The Next Generation in Agriculture. Inspiration from the international Youth-Ag Summit

Laura Grubb – Youth-Ag Delegate & WA AGvocate

3.00 pm AFTERNOON TEA – functions foyer & alfresco

3.20 pm Panel Session: Strengthening farm business decisions – Key piece/s of advice I wish clients would take on board.

Banker: Steve Kelly - Acting State Manager, Rabobank

Consultant: Cameron Weeks - Farm Management Consultant, Planfarm

Accountant: Judy Snell - Partner, RSM

4.15 pm Simplify, Structure, Succeed – getting the best out of yourself

Shannah Kennedy – Personal Coach, Speaker& Author

5.15 pm CLOSE DAY 1

Julianne Hill & Nicole Batten

SUNDOWNER

6 – 8 pm: The Historic Ballroom

www.partnersingrain.org.au pingwa1 partnersingrainwa

Please:

• Be prompt to all sessions

• Ensure mobiles and tablets are switched to silent.

• Wear your name badge for the duration of the Summit (including the Sundowner)

• Provide feedback via the Evaluation forms

• Make the most of the opportunity to enjoy yourself, meet new people and mix business with pleasure.


DAY 2 - THURSDAY 7th APRIL

8.00 am ARRIVE & REGISTER – functions foyer & alfresco

8.15 am WELCOME

Bronwyn Fox - Partners in Grain, WA Chair (Incoming)

Julianne Hill - MC

OPENING THEME: Understanding People

8.30 am Team Dynamics & Development Tools

Andrew Huffer – Facilitator & Stakeholder Engagement Consultant

CONCURRENTS THEME: Sharing Skills – Grower Perspectives

VENUE: PAGODA A HISTORIC BALLROOM PAGODA BCD

9.40 am Overcoming Adversity Lessons from losing key people

Systems for the unexpected

Kim Tyrer, Galafrey Wines, Mt Barker

Gerri Hinkley, Tincurrin

Julie Murray, Lawfield Legal Practice

Chair: Partners in Grain

Technology & Social Media My success with social media

Utilising the cloud Telecommunications in rural WA

Tracy Lefroy, Cranmore Home, Moora

Brad Jones, Tammin

Boyd Brown, Telstra

Chair: Katrina MacMillan, Rabobank

Succession Our succession experiences

Strategies for succession

Libby Browne, Eneabba

Catherine Watkins, Kukerin

Judy Snell, RSM

Chair: Joanne Gilbert, RSM

10.40 am MORNING TEA – functions foyer & alfresco

11.10 am Boards & Governance Our farm advisory board

Governance – why, how & the opportunities

Natalie Bowman, Grass Patch

Erin Gorter, Kojonup

Greg Kirk, Planfarm

Chair: Greg Kirk, Planfarm

Employment & Safety Simplifying HR & IR on farm

OHS Essentials

Tara Vermeersch, Cascade

Tracey Ebert, Ravensthorpe

Maree Gooch, Farmsafe WA Alliance

On hand for questions: Worksafe

Chair: Maree Gooch, Farmsafe WA Alliance

Efficient Offices My paperless system

Efficiencies with Agrimaster & owning financials

Colin De Grussa, Esperance

Julie Ramm, Dumbleyung

Kate Keamy, Watheroo

Chair: Partners in Grain

12.10 pm Overcoming Adversity (Repeated)

Technology & Social Media (Repeated)

Efficient Offices (Repeated)

1.10 pm LUNCH – Waterwall restaurant & alfresco

2.00 pm Boards & Governance (Repeated)

Employment & Safety (Repeated)

Succession (Repeated)

CLOSING THEME: Stepping Ahead – Inspiring Yourself & Others

3.00 pm Influential Communication – Using what you’ve learnt to inspire, engage and influence

Margo Halbert – Executive & Leadership Coach

3.40 pm SUMMIT CLOSE

Julianne Hill & Bronwyn Fox

4.00 pm DEPART


DAY 1

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to modern Farm Business Management.We provide a wide range of services including Farm Business Consulting, Grain Marketing, Agronomy,

Succession planning, VRT and Property Purchase Feasibility.

To see how Planfarm can help your business, please contact one of our team.

Contact Planfarm atNortham: 9622 8202 Geraldton: 9964 1170Narrogin: 9881 1422 Perth: 9284 1044

Web www.planfarm.com.au


Todd Charteris - The Global Future of Agriculture

Rabobank, Sydney

About Todd:

Todd Charteris is Rabobank’s National Manager for Country Banking leading 61 branches in Australia.

Todd has been with Rabobank for 16 years and prior to relocating to Sydney was formerly the bank’s State

Manager for Victoria and before that regional manager for East Coast New Zealand.

Originally raised on a farm in the southern region of the South Island, Todd, completed a bachelor of Commerce

with a Finance major at the University of Otago. Todd has career experience as a livestock agent, time in

investment banking and finance in London, and an agri-lender with Rabobank.

Laura Grubb - The Next Generation in Agriculture

2015 Youth AG summit – Canberra AUS

Mobile: 0447672272

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @lauragrubb92

About Laura:

A recent Murdoch University Animal Science graduate, Laura grew up between the Kimberley and Perth. Her

passion for agriculture was fostered by her exposure to the many different production systems her family are

involved in, from crayfishing right through to beef production.

During her university career she has developed a strong interest in beef cattle production and meat science.

This passion coupled with a drive to get youth involved in agriculture has led to her involvement in many meat

and cattle judging competitions around Australia and was the 2013 Angus Youth Australia Illinois Scholar.

Upon her return to Australia, 2015 saw Laura's heavy involvement in advocating the youth's voice in agriculture

as the 2015 Angus Youth Beef Australia Scholar and her involvement in the 2015 Youth Ag Summit in Canberra.

Subsequently Laura was then selected as the developed world representative voice of youth in agriculture at

the United Nations Committee on World Food Security in Rome, Italy.

Three key messages:

1. Agriculture needs a new image to appeal to the up and coming generation

2. Businesses and industry bodies need to give youth a seat at the table and foster talent development

3. We each have a personal responsibility to be an AGvocate


Steve Kelly - Advice I wish clients would take on board: Banker

Rabobank, WA

Mobile: 0427 427 251


About Steve:

Steve Kelly has held the position of acting State Manager for Rabobank in Western Australia since October 2015.

Steve originates from a family grain and sheep property at Narembeen, 280km east of Perth. He holds

qualifications in both ‘agribusiness’ and ‘banking & finance’ from Curtin University and has worked at Rabobank

for the past 25 years, which includes 6 years as Branch Manager in Esperance, and 10 years as Regional

Manager for central and south east WA.

Steve is a recent graduate of Rabobank’s Executive Development Program – a business management program

which covers all aspects of rural enterprise management to help drive sustainable business growth.

Steve is married to Jacinta and has 2 sons, Ben (15) and Luke (13).

Judy Snell - Advice I wish clients would take on board: Accountant

RSM, Moora

Mobile: 0427 973 884


Web: www.rsm.com.au

About Judy:

Judy is a Partner of RSM. She is the liaison director for regional Western Australia and is one of three directors

who manage the Eastern zone where she has extensive experience with many clients in the primary production

industry. She was appointed to the Executive Committee of RSM in 2015.

With over 15 years of experience with the firm, Judy provides advice to farmers and pastoralists on taxation

issues, self-managed super funds and succession planning for family owned businesses including major farming

interests. She has significant experience in providing accounting services to primary producers of the wool,

grain, meat and pastoral industries. Judy provides advice in areas including business solutions, rural accounting,

tax planning, and succession planning.

Judy is a Member of the Certified Practicing Accountants in Australia, Fellow of the Australian Institute of

Company Directors and Member of SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia.

Three key messages:

See Judy’s powerpoint presentation.


Cameron Weeks - Advice I wish clients would take on board: Farm

management consultant

Planfarm (Floreat / Geraldton)

Mobile: 0427 006 944


About Cameron:

Farm Management Consultant with Planfarm since 2005. Consult to clients spread across the Northern Ag

Region. Have worked in agriculture in the NAR since 1990. Moved from Geraldton to Perth to live just before

Xmas which is a big change having resided in Geraldton since 1993.

Wife Natalia and 3 boys (15, 13 & 8).

Interests include keeping reasonably fit so I can continue to drink beer without too much guilt, camping, water

sports and watching my boys play sport.

My great hope for 2016 is that Essendon wins at least one game (preferably against Carlton or Collingwood)!

Three key messages:

1. Advice – head and heart.

2. Work on the business not just in.

3. Communication.


Shannah Kennedy - Simplify, Structure, Succeed – getting the best out

of yourself


Web: www.shannahkennedy.com

About Shannah:

Shannah is a leading Australian business and life coach and is the author of bestseller Simplify, Structure,

Succeed and The Life Plan, Simple Strategies for a Meaningful Life.

Shannah works with leading business professionals worldwide on their personal and professional strategies

and provides the coaching and support needed for them to achieve their visions and goals.Throughout

her years of coaching, she’s found that clients share one commonality – most of them don’t need

motivation. They’re very successful people and they know what they need to do to reach their goals. What

they actually need is for things to be simplified, so they can dig themselves out of the clutter to find clarity

and purpose in their daily routines, and live a full life without self-destruction. They want to get back to

the foundations of who they are.


DAY 2

We can simplify complex accounting issues at the heart of your farm or business.

EMPOWERING YOU

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

19 offices in WA including Perth, Moora and Albany

rsm.com.au


Andrew Huffer- Team dynamics and development tools

Andrew Huffer and Associates, East Victoria Park

Mobile: 0429 470 285


Social Media: @andrewhuffer

About Andrew:

Andrew leads a facilitation, community engagement, team development and training consultancy that supports

government, business and community organisations to do their best work.

His work takes him from Broome to Launceston; Perth to Port Moresby, Albany to Auckland.

He is an experienced facilitator and stakeholder engagement consultant with 22 years facilitation experience

and over 16 years in business.

In his consultancy role, Andrew has delivered over 820 workshops for a wide range of clients, using participatory

approaches to actively involve all people in contributing to effective outcomes. His approach is simple and

forthright, resulting in a strong track record in helping clients to make intelligent decisions and implement

lasting solutions.

In addition to running his own consultancy business, Andrew was a partner in a café business with his wife,

Georgie, for over eleven years. This has provided him with valuable hands-on experience in business

management, promotion and management of staff.

He regularly attends and presents at a range of state, national and international conferences and professional

development programs relating to facilitation, stakeholder engagement and event design and marketing.

Three key messages:

1. As a business leader (which you all are) you need to model the culture and behaviour that you want in

your workplace

2. You need a strong self-awareness to be able to understand, communicate and connect with others

3. Change your shoes. Walk in the shoes of your team and know what’s important to them


Kim Tyrer – Overcoming Adversity

Galafrey Wines, Mt Barker

Mobile: 0418941551


Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/GALAFREYWINES/

https://twitter.com/GalafreyWines

https://www.instagram.com/galafreywines/

About Kim:

Kim Tyrer is the CEO & Winemaker of Galafrey Wines. Galafrey was established in 1977 and Kim was born in

1978. A family business, her father passed away in 2003 when Kim was 25 years old. An only child, Kim step into

her father’s role as CEO & Winemaker.

After a steep learning curve, and a few hurdles, Galafrey continues to be a strong and well respected brand in

the wine industry. Driven by pride and family history Kim market’s her wine through story and empowerment of

place. With strong leadership skills she is President of the Mt Barker Wine Producers, sits on the board of the

Great Southern Wine Producers and has been newly appointed to the Wine Industry APC Committee of WA. In

Event management she is Chair of Grapes and Gallops Festival which attracts 2000+ people to Mt Barker.

Mother of a six year old boy and one year old girl, Kim is looking forward to her near future of further

developing her skills as a winemaker, innovation in marketing and as a wine business and further leadership

roles within the wine industry.

Three key messages:

1. Have a game plan.

2. Take it one day at a time.

3. Redo your Business Plan but do it your way.


Gerri Hinkley – Overcoming Adversity: Overcoming Managing

Adversity

Braeside Farm, DW & RJ Thomson – Tincurrin

Mobile: 04488 30403


About Gerri:

I am co-owner and Director of the trading entity DW & RJ Thomson with my Dad, Don Thomson, operating

Braeside Farm, a 10,000ac broadacre mixed enterprise farm at Tincurrin. We crop wheat, oats and lupins with

3,000T on-farm storage capacity, run 5,000 breeding ewes and also operate a clover seed enterprise.

Through my parents’ careful succession planning, my 2 older brothers were happy and settled in Perth when

Wade and I returned to Tincurrin in 2006 to farm in partnership with Mum and Dad.

By 2011, things were humming – the farm was in great shape, my parents were looking to move off-farm to

start enjoying the fruits of their many years of labour and our working and family relationships were strong and

supportive. A car accident on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon set in motion a chain of events that no-one could

have foreseen and the aftershocks continue to shape our lives today.

I have been a CBH sampler, lawyer, ski lift operator and business development executive and I am currently a

farmer, a mum to two busy little boys, a Councillor for the Shire of Wickepin, a member of the Rabobank Client

Council in Narrogin and now a returned resident of Perth.

Three key messages:

1. Who do I know?

Now is the time to put in place the right, reliable people that you will need in the event the very worst

happens.

2. What would I do?

Talk about “Armageddon” in advance – discuss what options you might explore if it happens.

3. What will I do?

Trust your instincts, accept support from the people you need – and go easy on yourself.


Julie Murray - Overcoming Adversity

Lawfield Legal Practice

9/11 Ventnor Ave

West Perth WA 6005

Mobile: 0437 832 003


Web: www.lawfield.com.au

About Julie:

I am a lawyer working with Lawfield Legal Practice in West Perth with a particular interest in farming businesses

and succession planning. I have a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from UWA.

I am also a farmer and farm a mixed farming operation (cropping and sheep) with my husband, Fraser, at

Tincurrin (3 hours SE of Perth). I have been living in Perth with our 3 children for the last 4 and half years so that

our children can attend schools in Perth so my husband has become a drive in drive out farmer.

Our children’s sport seems to provide us with great socialising opportunities and takes up much of my non-

working time. We enjoy watching them play and I am usually involved with coaching or managing one of their

teams. I also try to stay fit running and walking our farm dog who has the best of both worlds, chasing birds in

the city and sheep in the country.

Three key messages:

Managing adversity requires:

1. Communication

2. Planning

3. Review


Tracy Lefroy - Technology & Social Media: the Cranmore Home

experience

Cranmore Home, Moora WA

Mobile: 0402 067 908


Instagram: @cranmorehome and @cranmorehomesale

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CRANMOREhome

Pinterest: Cranmore Home

Newsletter: sign up via the pop-up box on www.cranmorehome.com.au

About Tracey:

I am the owner and curator of Cranmore Home, an online and retail shop and interior consulting business

specialising in Australian-designed, ethically sourced homewares and artisan pieces.

My original career was based in agriculture. In 2001 I completed a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and my

honours was on the communication of science to industry. Post university I worked as an Agribusiness Analyst, a

Communications Manager, a freelance agricultural Journalist and worked on my family farm.

In 2005, I was the youngest recipient to be awarded a prestigious Nuffield Scholarship. Since then, I have been

farming with my husband, Kristin and his parents.

The seed for Cranmore Home was planted in 2010 shortly after my husband and I moved into our beautiful old

farmhouse. Three babies, three years and a once-off pop-up shop later I launched www.cranmorehome.com.au

and in 2014 opened a retail space in my hometown of Moora, WA.

Three key messages:

1. Choose the social media platform (s) that suit your business and personality

2. Keep it positive and punchy- push your personality but not yourself.

3. Be consistent.


Brad Jones - Technology & Social Media: The cloud - can provide more

than just rain

Bungulla Farming, Tammin

Mobile: 0427 632 244


Twitter: @bungulla6409

About Brad:

I’m a cotton farmers son from the Darling Downs in Qld and Kate’s parents farmed in Tammin, the farm we are

now on.

Kate and I both had careers off farm but involved with agriculture, Kate being a country hour presenter for ABC

and me being an ag-pilot mainly based on cotton operations. Kate has a double degree in Arts and Journalism

and I have a commercial pilot’s licence and a Masters of Business Administration. We are big users of

technology and have all of our data in the cloud.

Kate’s role in the farm is HR and uses a program Wage Easy that has direct links and updates with the ATO and is

accessed by our accountant. She also does contract work for Wheatbelt NRM and the rural newspapers.

My role is business manager and we have 5 full time staff with 4 families (9 kids) living on farm.

The changing face of agriculture has seen us move more into a corporate style management system that relies

heavily on technology and we rely on cloud based system to both provide enough storage space and

accessibility from anywhere.

Three key messages:

1. Cloud based technology should be used to generate information, not solutions

2. Data is only as powerful as its interpretation and application

3. Instead of focussing on outcomes we focus on generating outcomes


Boyd Brown - Technology & Social Media: Mobile Telecommunications

in rural WA

Telstra, WA

Mobile: 0418 748 197

Three key messages:

1. Key Projects in WA to expand the mobiles coverage footprint – RMCP, RTP, Federal Blackspot

2. What you can do you improve reception in a fringe coverage area

3. Current mobile communications capabilities for use in your business


Libby Browne – Farm Succession: A bumpy road

Warradarge Hill F/T, Eneabba

Mobile: 0428 556 031


About Libby:

I am 43 and a mother of 4. I farm together with my husband Will.

I do the farm books, not much hands on farm work anymore. I am also a registered nurse.

Three key messages:

1.

2.

3.

Catherine Watkins – Farm Succession

Watpow, Kukerin

Mobile: 0400328305


About Catherine:

I farm with my husband Jeff at Kukerin. We have 3 children, Bianca 27, Joel 22 and Blake 15 who all now live in

Perth.

I have been a country girl for the most part of my life. I grew up in Kukerin before moving to Perth to attend

boarding school at Iona Presentation College. I then completed my hairdressing apprenticeship and went on to

run my own hairdressing business in Perth. By the time I was 28, I had married Jeff, had Bianca and we had

started travelling around Australia on a working holiday.

We entered our third year of living the dream travelling and working our way around Australia in 1991 when we

received a phone call from my parents asking if we would be interested in coming home to the farm…

Three key messages:

1. Come to an agreement early.

2. Communicate effectively.

3. Keep family and business separate.


Judy Snell – Succession: Fundamentals on how to approach and

manage succession.

RSM, Moora

Mobile: 0427 973 884


Web: www.rsm.com.au

About Judy:

Judy is a Partner of RSM. She is the liaison director for regional Western Australia and is one of three directors

who manage the Eastern zone where she has extensive experience with many clients in the primary production

industry. She was appointed to the Executive Committee of RSM in 2015.

With over 15 years of experience with the firm, Judy provides advice to farmers and pastoralists on taxation

issues, self-managed super funds and succession planning for family owned businesses including major farming

interests. She has significant experience in providing accounting services to primary producers of the wool,

grain, meat and pastoral industries. Judy provides advice in areas including business solutions, rural accounting,

tax planning, and succession planning.

Judy is a Member of the Certified Practicing Accountants in Australia, Fellow of the Australian Institute of

Company Directors and Member of SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia.

Three key messages:

See Judy’s powerpoint presentation.


Natalie Bowman – Boards & Governance: Bowman Farming – our

board in practice

Bowman Farming, 13km east of Grass Patch

Mobile: 0427 757 034


About Natalie:

My husband, Leon and I farm in Grass Patch, WA, where we have lived since we married 25 years ago. We have

two sons, Ashleigh 24yrs old and Murray 22 yrs old. I grew up in Esperance, and was a townie, but had some

contact with the farming world as a teenager through our local Youth Group, (which is where I met Leon).

My teaching degree brought me to Grass Patch as my second posting and I have been there ever since.

Leon, his Parents and brother moved to WA from South Australia to be able to expand their farming potential,

and farmed in partnership together for 23 years until 2004, when his parents retired and his brother moved

away. The family farm started with 1530Ha and today Leon and I together manage our 9300Ha property. We

crop 8000Ha annually, growing Wheat, Barley, Canola and Peas and run a small herd of cattle, mostly just to

keep the freezer stocked!

We have 2 full time employees and our son Ashleigh has just returned to the farm fulltime. He is a qualified

Diesel Mechanic. Murray is still at Uni in Perth and is not currently planning to return to the farm. (Never say

never!)

In my 'spare time' for the past 4 years I have been a councillor on the Shire of Esperance and was re-elected in

October last year for another 4 year term and stepped up to the role of Deputy Shire President. Our Shire

President, Victoria Brown, and I take great pride in being two rural women in leadership roles and thoroughly

enjoy working together for the betterment of our fabulous town and community. I love thinking ahead, looking

at the bigger picture and planning for the future. I can't imagine living anywhere else, so joined council to play a

part in shaping the town I want to grow old in.

As far as our business goes, I manage the office, budgets, finances and of course the food! The latter being one

of the things I may have to reluctantly hand over during seeding and harvest, as being Deputy Shire President

certainly does make running meals and catering for our fulltime and casual team quite a challenge.

Both Leon and I have completed the Rabobank Executive Development Programme in 2002 and 2004

respectively.

Three key messages:

1. Be prepared. You get out what you put in.

2. There is no perfect formula – try it on and see if it fits. Change it until it works for you.

3. Sometimes it will be tough, but it is worth it – persevere!


Erin Gorter – Boards & Governance: Building strength and value in

agriculture and communities, underpinned by good governance agVivo: location - on the road!

Mobile: 0429 833 752


Twitter: imontheroadagn

Instagram: viewsfrommyofficeinag

Facebook: agVivo Events

Linked In: Erin Gorter

About Erin:

Erin has had numerous roles on committees and boards over the past few decades, locally, regionally and

interstate. In more recent years, Erin was approached by the office of the WA Minister of Agriculture and Food,

to sit on the Board of the WA Meat Industry Authority (WAMIA) as a producer representative. This role she

continues to serve with great interest. WAMIA is responsible for the management of the Muchea Livestock

Centre and abattoir compliance in WA. In 2013, she was approached to join the Ministerial Agricultural

Advisory Committee, a role which she cherishes in order to advise the WA Minister of Agriculture in issues of

importance to broad acre farmers. She has just recently been appointed to the Meat and Livestock Australia

Board.

Erin was awarded the WA RIRDC Rural Women’s Award Runner up in 2010, which set her on a path (and gave

her confidence) to further seek opportunities and build her leadership skills and networks. This marked a

turning point in her career, where she set about taking a strategic approach to helping create change in the

industry, with a view to building an Australian red meat industry that would build and grow for generations to

come. Involvement a year later in the Grow Zone mentoring programme then helped her channel her energies

to achieve her goals.

In addition to her involvement in a family farm, Erin also runs Erin Gorter Enterprises, a business that has been

established to foster the pursuit of further opportunities presented in the agricultural sector. This business

offers a professional service in business management and events planning in rural areas, specialising in

management for grower groups. The business is part of the AgVivo group of consultants with Erin holding a role

as Director on the AgVivo board. Under the AgVivo banner, Erin also runs AgVivo Events, a rural events

management organisation.

Three key messages:

1. Your fiduciary duty

2. Doing your due diligence

3. Being accountable for your actions


Greg Kirk – Boards & Governance: How and Why Growers should

adopt better governance processes.

Managing Director Planfarm

Mobile: 0427 428 400


About Greg:

Greg is the Managing Director of Planfarm Agricultural consultants. He has over 25 years advising successful

farm businesses with a focus on business management and strategy. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute

of Company Directors and an independent director of WAMMCO, Australia’s largest grower cooperative

exporter of fresh and frozen lamb and sheep meat.

In his spare time he enjoys supporting the WCE, cycling and running.

Three key messages:

1. Governance is about systems, processes and rules that allow you to control and monitor your business

2. Poor governance is a common feature of business failures. Look for the warning signs.

3. There is no one size fits all. Like everything – better governance needs to add value


Tracey Ebert - Employment & Safety: Being a Better Boss – Employer

of Choice

South Coast Facilitation, Ravensthorpe

Mobile: 0427 389 010


About Tracey:

Farming in Ravensthorpe with my husband and two children has changed considerably over our 30 year

partnership. We are the first generation on our farm and purchased it when interest rates were 22%, repaying it

on a shearing and teaching wage, working for wages during the week and farming on the weekends. Needless to

say we have had some tricky years, but we knew we were alive and answerable to no-one.

Although our roles today are flexible we have accidentally tuned our skills to our interests and abilities. My

analytical mind creates & explores all things office-like whilst my husband problem solves the practicalities of

the outdoors. Harvest and seeding allow me to “smell the dirt” as a driver of the big machines (a driver being

considerably different to an operator, a level I am apparently yet to attain and just quietly not in any hurry to do

so!).

2002 was a personal milestone year. Starting a facilitation business and being a finalist in the RIRDC Rural

Women’s Award came with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Involvement in some regional work with local,

state and federal government bodies led to a nine day facilitation course to upskill in communication. I

completed this course and left incredibly inspired with an unexpected outcome of starting my own facilitation

business. The business has exceeded my initial tentative goals and it’s a personal choice not to advertise or

promote. It’s a balancing act between my role on the farm, community interests and facilitation but one I feel

fortunate to be able to juggle.

Three key messages:

1. Capture, Engage, Keep

2. Time invested in your employees increases productivity

3. Acknowledge & act on your HR strengths and weaknesses


Tara Vermeersch – Employment & Safety: Industrial Relations – the

political grenade

Belair Farms, Cascade

Mobile: 0404 845 435


About Tara:

I have been living and working on my husband’s family farm for eight years. Previously I worked in corporate

human resources and industrial relations. I didn’t come from a farming background but I had previously lived in

Cascade when my parents were teaching at the local primary school in 1989/90. My husband and I first met

there when we were in pre-primary.

I feel very lucky that our generation has the gift of digital technology that has allowed me to combine my role as

the Farm Office Manager with private consulting in employee relations. This made the transition to the farm

much easier for me because I didn’t have to “give up” my career. I just needed to be creative with how I

pursued it.

As many of you can appreciate, “just doing the farm books” is becoming an increasingly challenging and time

consuming role. In 2013 I co-founded and became the inaugural chair of Esperance Farm Office Management

(EFOM), a sub-committee of SEPWA (South East Premium Wheat Growers Association). I also became the first

female to sit on the SEPWA executive and was recently re-elected to a second term on the committee. I’m

passionate about professional development within family farming enterprises and find this an exciting space to

be working in.

My husband and I have two boys, Charlie who is 5 and Jim who is 2 years old. Regardless of my other

commitments, these two keep me very busy and happy.

Three key messages:

1. Take the time to understand your award responsibilities

2. Should you really be looking for casual staff this seeding?

3. Develop a clear and simple contract of employment


Maree Gooch – Employment & Safety: Farm Safety Is Everyone’s

Business …. because people are the most important asset

Farmsafe WA Alliance

Mobile: 0438 374 136


Twitter: @mareegooch ; @WA_Farmsafe

Facebook: Maree Gooch ; Farmsafe WA Inc

About Maree:

Maree is passionate about people and business being the best they can be. As a collaborative leader, she strives

to lead the process to help others to build their own success. Maree is married with 3 amazing teenage children.

Maree works 3 days per week with the Farmsafe WA Alliance to improve safety and well-being for the agri-food

industry. She fills her time as a consultant of strategic planning, business development and spends time

participating on several boards.

As a hands on farmer for more than 22 years and living in regional WA for most of her life, she has experienced

first- hand the challenges and the opportunities of living regionally and operating several small businesses

including farming in the Wheatbelt and south coast of WA. She loves to travel, enjoy decent wine and food and

great company. She surrounds herself with positive people. Her strong personal commitment to the rural

community is evident through her positions on the Rural Business Development Corporation, with the Grow

Zone and UWA’s mentoring programs and as Chair of the Rural Regional and Remote Women’s Network.

Three key messages:

1. People are the most important asset in any business – Safety is EVERYONE’s responsibility!

2. Prevent accidents, Prevent deaths = Increased business efficiency and increased business profits.

3. Legislation is in place – get educated and get compliant!


Colin Degrussa – Efficient Offices: My paperless office system

SK & AA de Grussa, Neridup

Mobile: 0427 984 611


Twitter: @colbio

About Colin:

Owner/ Manager of a grain producing business North East of Esperance at Neridup. Family farming business

started in the mid 60’s. I’ve been involved since the late 90’s in management, decision making and

administration.

I have a background in IT having studied computer systems engineering at TAFE and working in IT for most of

the 90’s. I’m also passionate about agriculture and regional communities. In recent years I’ve stood for election

at the 2013 state election and 2014 senate re-run. I’ve also completed a Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2014

for which I looked at consumer education and agricultural lobbying.

We setup our paperless office system in 2013 and have been adapting and simplifying it ever since. It has meant

a 75% reduction in time spent on accounts management and means I can be in the office from virtually

anywhere (if I really have to!!) We run Apple computers, iphones, ipads and use Xero for our accounting.

Three key messages:

1. It’s not as difficult or complex as might be imagined

2. Make the system fit you – not the other way around

3. Don’t get hung up on the equipment – can be done for almost zero cost


Julie Ramm – Office Efficiencies: My experience with utilising the

Agrimaster program to its potential.

Ramm Family Farming, 12215 Fence Road, Dumbleyung

Mobile: 0429 642 014


About Julie:

We have been farming on my husband's family farm in Dumbleyung since 1990.

We have 2 children & are in-laws are retired from the farm.

My role in our business is office management, decision making, tractor/header driver & sheep management.

Other interests include sport, community involvement & book club.

Three key messages:

1. Data entry: it is your information, enter it so it works for you.

2. Agrimaster support: you pay for it, use it.

3. Tidy up your Agrimaster file: replace codes/names/allocations & use enterprise/allocation wisely.


Kate Keamy – Efficient Offices: Do you want to better manage and

understand your finances to improve your business performance?

Anro, Watheroo

Mobile: 0400 369 949


About Kate:

I grew up on a farm North of Watheroo with my parents and three brothers. I attended high school in Perth and

went onto study a Bachelor in Education – Primary. Instead of the traditional path to teaching I went to work in

Human resources for QBE Insurance. During this time I began my Post Grad in Human Resources while working

in their Training and Development Department. Three years later I was approached by Agrimaster to work for

them as an Operations Manager, I accepted and became responsible for implementing their Business Strategic

Plan.

I then fell in love with a farmer from my hometown! Took on a role as a Rural Financial Counsellor, established

my life in the country and became passionate about the dynamic industry of Agriculture and its people.

Three key messages:

1. Your financial software is more than just a tax compliance tool; it can assist you in planning, monitoring and

adjusting your business to increase profitability.

2. Good financial data requires good knowledge of your software programs capabilities and a big dose of

discipline.

3. Your Cashflow Budget should be a living document that you know how to use to make good in season

decisions.


Margo Halbert – Influential Communication: Inspiring yourself &

others Margo Halbert, Perth

Mobile: 0419 997 440


Web: www.margohalbert.com.au

About Margo:

Margo is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), the highest international accreditation available from the

National Speakers Association of Australia. Margo has won the WA Speaker of the Year Award, has held the

office of President of National Speakers Association of Australia (NSAA) and is an Accredited Executive

Coach.

Charismatic leadership can enhance influence, power and performance. Margo works with business leaders

to build their reputation and confidence by helping them to be engaging and influential. They are then able

to face important audiences and achieve results. Margo is proud to be involved with various schools

programs designed to foster a sense of confidence and leadership in young students.

Three key messages:

1.


Thank you for being a part of Partners in Grain WA’s

SUMMIT PARTNER:

SUMMIT SPONSORS:

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