Goal to droughtproof the regions

Twenty-six Goulburn Valley locals are the first in Australia to benefit from a leadership program designed to help drought-proof the regions.

The 26 selected for the Future Drought Fund Drought Resilience Leaders Program will be the guinea pigs for the program, coming together online over eight days to talk about the big picture.

Sheep and cropping farmer Ali Piper is involved in the Australia-first pilot program and said she was excited to help her community manage the uncertainty of drought.

“Much more than a learning experience, this program will develop my skills and expand my networks so that I can play an active role in positively influencing my community and the rural industries we rely on,” Ms Piper said.

Each participant will have access to a $4000 grant which they can use to “support resilience action” in the region.

Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the program would help create a “new generation of leaders”.

“Community leaders and mentors play a critical role in helping people prepare for, and live through, times of drought,” Mr Littleproud said.

Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum said the participants represented a good cross-section of the Goulburn Valley community.

“This pilot will encourage a new culture of information-sharing among agricultural communities on droughts and building resilience in the Goulburn Valley,” Mr Drum said.

Participants include a local Rabobank senior rural manager, a Murray Dairy regional extension officer, a GoulburnMurray Water drainage program coordinator, a Rural Aid community representative, a mental health professional at Murray PHN and the non-executive director of Riverine Plains.