Twenty participants selected to undertake new 'Future Leaders' course

11/8/97

Twenty potential leaders from Western Australia's primary industries and rural communities have been selected to undertake a new 'Future Leaders' course, initiated by Primary Industry Minister Monty House.

The Minister today announced the first group of participants to undertake the high level leadership training course in the Kimberley during September.

Mr House said those selected represented a large area of the State - from as far south as Albany and as far north as Kununurra - and a wide range of occupations including farmers, fishermen, a rural business banking manager, communications consultants and agricultural consultants.

"All 20 participants are highly motivated with the vision and drive to successfully navigate rural industries and communities through dramatic changes in agriculture, fishing, marketing and trade and the continuing wave of new technology," he said.

"Emerging leaders from these industries and communities now have the opportunity to gain high-level skills and experience to position rural WA as a major force in world agriculture and fisheries."

Mr House said Future Leaders was a new component of the WA Leadership Program and comprised two major elements.

The 10-day Kimberley program would provide a challenging leadership experience to prepare participants for case studies which investigated future opportunities for WA agriculture and fisheries and the role of leadership in developing these.

During the following six months, participants would develop case studies at a global level, focussing on WA as a national and international competitor.

"Investment in people, particularly young people, is vitally important to the rural sector's future," the Minister said.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (08) 9481 2044