Applications are open until November 14 for a mentoring and leadership development program connecting rural Australians aged 18 to 35 with mentors from across the country.
Delivered over two rounds, the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation is seeking up to 80 mentors and mentees each to participate in the 12-month program starting early and mid-2023, respectively.
Chief Executive Matt Linnegar (pictured) said the program was an opportunity to be involved in a network beyond the usual circle.
‘This program is an opportunity for Australians who live in, work with or are connected to communities where agriculture plays an important role to give and provide really personalised guidance on things that matter to them,’ he said.
‘As a mentee, think about what you need to thrive in the future. Have you ever wanted to do something and not known where to start? Where do you see yourself or your community in the next five to ten years, and what do you need to achieve it? Work from there and think of any questions that you have. This might well be that you don’t know how to put your goal into words – and that’s ok; a mentor can help.’
As for mentors, Mr Linnegar said the program was open to professional and personal experience.
‘Similar to mentees, I would encourage people to really think about how their experience could help someone with identifying goals, navigating complex situations and challenges and having courageous conversations.
‘Putting these experiences to use by being a sounding board and guide to someone else is an incredible learning opportunity for mentors as well.’
The National Mentoring Program is part of the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative. In this context, the program supports communities to prepare for future droughts by exploring the likelihood and impacts of them in rural Australia.
Mentoring is based on the idea that sharing experience in overcoming challenges, finding solutions and building communication and leadership skills on an individual level will boost long-term community well-being and resourcefulness.
It is delivered by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) in partnership with the National Farmers Federation (NFF) and the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR).
To learn more about the program or to apply, visit the National Mentoring Program page on the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s website or email futuredrought@rural-leaders.org.au
About the Future Drought Fund Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative
The $29.6 million Helping Regional Communities Prepare for Drought program combines and builds on the previous Drought Resilience Leaders and Networks to Build Drought Resilience programs, so that we can deliver a more effective and targeted approach. The Future Drought Fund is partnering with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) to deliver the program, drawing on their expertise and networks that reach across rural and regional Australia.The Future Drought Fund is the key investment by the Australian Government to build drought resilience in Australia’s agriculture sector, the agricultural landscape, and communities. It is a $5 billion commitment with $100 million each year allocated to drought resilience programs. Design of programs is guided by the 4-year Drought Resilience Funding Plan 2020–2024. The government has already allocated $318.5 million to 2023–24.