
Fighting for a seat at the table for producers: AgForce's Mike Guerin's life-long leadership
R.M.Williams OUTBACKShow Notes
The peaks and troughs of a life in leadership have prepared Mike Guerin well for his role as CEO of Queensland's AgForce where he spearheaded the case to save the Great Artesian Basin from mining interests. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from R.M.Williams OUTBACK
Dr Jodie McCoy shares her unique journey from growing up on Norfolk Island to becoming a medical leader in her community. She discusses the challenges and rewards of providing healthcare in a remote setting, the importance of community and family heritage, and her experiences in the military and medicine. Some highlights: • The significance of family heritage and cultural practices • Jodie's medical career path and military experience • Growing up on Norfolk Island and education • Challenges of remote healthcare and emergency situations • Jodie's return to Norfolk Island and community impact • Reflections on healthcare in small communities • Future outlook for healthcare on Norfolk Island See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rebecca Huismann shares her inspiring journey from a childhood horse riding accident to founding Vision Fitness and Support, a business dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities. She discusses her personal experiences, the importance of community, and her vision for the future of disability services. Some highlights: Rebecca's personal journey and recovery from a brain injury The founding and mission of Vision Fitness and Support The role of inclusive fitness in disability support The impact of personal experience on service delivery Future visions for disability services and community involvement See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Ockert Le Roux's journey from a young boy with a camera to a renowned photographer and forestry expert is a testament to the power of passion and the beauty of the natural world. Ockert's love for photography sparked in 1976 during a school camp, where his father handed him a 1958 Pentax. His Ockert's career path took him through forestry, ultimately leading him to Australia. His background in forestry has enriched his photography, allowing him to capture the landscapes and environments he loves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Terri Cowley speaks with Felicity Richards about her path from Flinders Island to law, government work and eventually back to farming. They cover her leadership roles at FarmSafe and Tasmania’s Biosecurity Advisory Committee, plus the practical realities of running three cattle properties with her husband Mark and raising three children. Felicity shares how volunteering helped her reconnect with rural life, why she believes safety on farms needs to be treated as a choice rather than an inevitability, and what she’s learning about sustainable land management across different environments. The conversation also touches on women’s growing visibility in agriculture and the next generation of farmers. Highlights include: Felicity’s upbringing on Flinders Island and why she assumed she would not become a farmer Studying law in Canberra and how administrative law led her toward government accountability work Calling the ombudsman’s office directly to ask for a job and landing in freedom of information work Returning to Tasmania, rediscovering farming through her parents’ property near Carrick, and seeing farm business from an administrative perspective Volunteering at the Launceston harvest market and learning how paddock-to-plate producers connect with consumers Meeting her future husband while mustering cattle and fixing a fence on the neighbouring property Running an all-beef enterprise across three properties with roughly 6,000 to 7,000 head of mostly Angus cattle Managing different land types on Flinders Island, near Launceston and in northwest Tasmania, and learning how each country behaves Why FarmSafe exists, what it does, and the national focus on reducing fatalities and injuries on Australian farms The biggest safety risks she sees on farms, especially side-by-side vehicles, tractors, speed and seatbelts How a near-drowning incident with her daughter Esme changed her understanding of active supervision around water Tasmania’s biosecurity priorities, including preparation for bird flu Why she’s stepping back from some commitments while still staying involved with FarmSafe Her interest in farm waste, silage wrap, hay wrap and the push for better compostable alternatives The growing visibility of women in agriculture and the importance of acknowledging the admin side of farm businesses See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.