Emma Hallyburton, winner of this year’s National Herd Improvement Association of Australia (NHIA) Young Achiever Award, has completed the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program, supported by Gardiner Foundation.
As part of the award Victoria’s Gardiner Foundation sponsored Emma to attend the program.
The program, which commenced in 1992, is recognised as one of the longest running rural leadership programs in the nation. It has developed a strong reputation in the agricultural and agribusiness sector, attracting support from a wide range of industry and rural community groups from diverse regional backgrounds.
“The program was really intensive and is one of the best things I have been part of,” says Emma. “The course content was practical and inspirational, the facilitators and speakers were great, and I have made some amazing connections across different areas of agriculture.
“As a group and individually we worked on our own workplace issues and ideas, we did a lot of self-reflecting, and we really focused on our values. I have learnt so much which I can contribute to my workplace and industry,” says Emma.
NHIA’s Young Person Achiever Award recognises the commitment and excellence of young people 35 and under in the herd improvement industry.
NHIA CEO, Sara Merckel, says that the Young Person Achiever Award is an important initiative that is designed to encourage, support and contribute to the development of the next generation of herd improvement professionals.
“Emma was chosen as this year’s award winner because of her potential to contribute as a future leader in her community and industry and her desire to develop her leadership skills and self-confidence.
“Gardiner Dairy’s support of this year’s Young Person Achiever Award has enabled her to take an important step down this road. To hear her describe it as such incredible and empowering experience is exactly the outcome Gardiner Dairy and NHIA set out to achieve by joining forces this year. I look forward to following Emma’s future in our industry,” says Sara.
Emma, who works for Genetics Australia – Total Livestock Genetics, was nominated for the award by Ruth Barber, Total Livestock Genetics Operations Manager, who recognised her as a leader and great team player in her field.