Tag / Samantha Wan

by Action4Agriculture

Here’s a good yarn -we’re raising the baa

For the second year in a row Wool Producers Australia is conducting their Raising the Baa Leadership Program, and for the second year in a row our Young Farming Champions are right in the spotlight.

The leadership course has two components, the first of which is the Youth Ambassador role. “The Youth Ambassador position exposes people aged 18 -35 years to policy within Wool Producers and gives them the opportunity to learn and understand the policy cycle and how a board works so they understand how many decisions that affect the wool industry are handled by Wool Producers,” Wool Producers Australia President, Mr Ed Storey says.

Dione Howard was the inaugural Wool Producers Youth Ambassador in 2018 and part of her role was to attend Wool Producers’ board meetings. “I had very little experience with policy prior to the Youth Ambassador role,” Dione says. “It has opened up a whole new world in the agricultural space and I feel that I now have a much clearer idea of how decisions are made that affect farmers and people like myself as a veterinarian.”

In 2019 Wool Producers has nominated two Youth Ambassadors, one of who is Sam Wan

” I saw this as an opportunity to gain insight into the organisation and actively learn in the role,  have a strong interest in learning the intricacies of identifying needs and key stages for policy development and to gain a working understanding of industry governance, achieving objectives and driving improvement within the bounds of shareholders, regulators and the wider community. I see an understanding of the processes behind regulations being able to positively impact my role and scope as a wool broker and day to day dealings with wool growers.” say Sam

There is no denying Sam’s enthusiasm for sharing the wool story far and wide as this video of her engaging with students at the 2019 Sydney Royal Easter Show Primary School Preview Day shows

Dione will be continuing the program in 2019 with its second component – a fully-funded Company Directors Course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“The Company Directors Course is a fantastic opportunity for future leaders from all sectors of the wool industry to develop and refine their leadership skills for positions on industry Boards,” Ed says. “The skills are very important to ensure good governance and leadership is understood before people contribute to a Board.”

“It is an awesome opportunity to finish the Wool Producers Youth Ambassadorship with the AICD Company Directors Course,I believe it will assist me to take the next step in my leadership journey. I have been fortunate enough to receive the benefit of immersive workshops through the Young Farming Champions program sponsored by AWI and these have enabled me to develop my skills for delivering outcomes for the wool industry on the ground, in schools and at industry events. I believe that by completing the Company Directors course I will expand my skill set to be able to deliver for the wool industry from a governance perspective.” ” Dione says.

by Action4Agriculture

Wool is taking Young Farming Champion Samantha Wan higher and further than she ever dreamed

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Wool Young Farming Champion Sam Wan credits her YFC training for taking her career to new levels and wow, isn’t she kicking some goals! Here are some of the things Sam has been up to in recent months:

International Conferences:

In May Sam was accepted into the International Wool Textile Organisation’s (IWTO) Young Professionals Program and she attended her first overseas conference in Kowloon, Hong Kong – her Mum’s hometown! “The opportunity was invaluable in increasing my awareness and understanding of all aspects of the wool pipeline, international networking, current projects and innovations within the industry. Fascinating topics included synthetic contribution to micro-plastics in the ocean, wool’s position in fibre ratings, wellness benefits with bedding and clothing backed by solid science, and green buildings.” Sam also found Hong Kong’s weather – 35oC and 80% humidity – just made for wool with its properties of moisture wicking and quick drying.

Speaking Engagements:

  • Sam recently spoke at an Elders South Australian growers function where feedback on her presentation and her enthusiasm for wool was extremely positive.
  • She was interviewed for the ABC’s Victorian Country Hour on the last wool sale of the selling season in Melbourne
  • She will be presenting the Elders/Southern Clip of the Year awards at Sheepvention in Hamilton later in the year.

Industry Conferences:

Sam is speaking at the Soils Make Sense careers forums at the Careers & Technology Hub at the  Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo this week; and is also attending forums and stewarding for the show.

Industry Recognition:

All Sam’s hard work is paying off and this month she was recognised with the One Elders Operational Performance Award. She has also just been announced as one of three finalists in the National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia’s Annual Wool Broker Award.

“The National Council of Wool Selling Brokers of Australia’s Annual Wool Broker Award recognises and rewards excellence in wool broking in Australia. The Award recognises client servicing, auctioneering and/or innovation by a wool broker staff member who has been in the wool broking industry for 10 years or less and who is working for a NCWSBA member.” Source

Read about Sam’s journey in the Stock and Land here 

Watch here share it here

Congratulations Sam. It is wonderful to see our Young Farming Champions take the skills they have learnt in the program and apply them so successfully to the wider world.

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