Inspirational turn out at Women’s Field Day

Reflecting on the proud history of the Liebe Group, former Executive Officer Breanna Peake opened the 24th annual Women’s Field Day on Tuesday 14th June.

Speaking to a crowd of 150 regional women Brianna, acting General Manager for the CBH Geraldton Port Zone and proud former Dalwallinu local, was thrilled to welcome everyone to the full day event, saying “As a proud Dally farm girl, proud ex Executive Officer of the Liebe Group and as a proud Diamond Sponsor representing the CBH Group, it was so great to be at another invigorating and inspiring Women’s Field Day with a fantastic line up of speakers.”

The Women’s Field Day is held annually in Dalwallinu with the aim of increasing the management capacity of women to build a sustainable future for their families, farm businesses and the agricultural industry. The forum attracts a range of attendees from throughout the wheatbelt who have personal and professional interests in broadacre farming, as well as agribusiness representatives.

This year’s event highlighted the ever increasing need for HR and Safety compliance in farming businesses. Creating a positive workplace culture was a key theme, along with removing hierarchy and engaging staff in the business strategy and its future direction.

An interactive HR panel of three farming businesses included Amanda Nixon from Kalannie, Paul O’Meehan from Borden and Lisa Powell from Quairading. The session, facilitated by ProcessWorx Managing Director Danielle McNamee, provided practical insights into recruiting, managing and retaining staff on farm, and how they have managed the COVID challenges over the last two years.

Practical tips and tricks were showcased throughout the day including business training opportunities for regional people looking to broaden their knowledge, turning weaknesses into strengths.

Bronwyn Fox, a potato and sheep farmer from Dandaragan, shared various tools to help make the decision on what you want to learn, what training providers are out there and ways to incorporate learnings back on farm.

Brianna Peake addressed the audience again later in the morning, speaking about her career progression and importance of saying yes to opportunities that come your way.

“Don’t worry if you feel you are underqualified – say yes and learn and grow on the job.”

She also highlighted the important role Liebe Group played in her career development, after her roles as Project Officer and then Executive Officer.

“The Liebe Group taught me the importance of building relationships and creating a values based culture in a workplace. The grass roots nature of the organisation has provided excellent grounding for my career.”

Kalannie grower Bob Nixon spoke on his experiences working to improve the soil resource on his farm by fixing known soil constraints such as acidity, sodicity, salinity, compaction and non-wetting. He is undertaking various projects to maximise production on the lighter, more forgiving soil types including the introduction of safflower, utilising on-farm lime sources, focusing on biodiversity as well as other soil amelioration techniques.

As a farmer, mother of two girls and an Ironman athlete who has successfully competed at the pinnacle of Ironman events including two Hawaii World Championships, keynote speaker Caroline Ashby encouraged everyone to believe anything is possible.

After injury and rebuilding her mind, body and soul, the essence of her presentation was to remain resilient and grateful for everything you have and to remember “You don’t have to be amazing to start, but you have to start to be amazing”.

Feedback from the day noted the high caliber presenters, the attention to detail, and the fantastic learning opportunities provided to all those who attended.

The Liebe Group would like thank FRRR for their support through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, valued Diamond partners Rabobank, RSM, CBH Group and CSBP, and the Liebe Group Women’s Committee for their hard work in planning and executing the event.

Thanks are also extended to the Kalannie P&C for catering morning tea, One L of a Good Feed in Carnamah for the delicious lunch, and to Waukalands for supplying the presenter gifts.