Leadership WA Signature Leadership Program three-day field trip connects metro and rural industries
A handful of the State's top leaders travelled through the Wheatbelt's south to understand regional industries and living to evolve their perspective, connectivity and leadership skills.
Leadership WA selected 38 figureheads from government, corporate, not-for-profit and agricultural industries to embark on its Signature Leadership Program field trip through Narrogin, Katanning and Collie from May 14 to 16.
The annual program includes 14 experiences from February to November designed to broaden their viewpoint on leadership by learning from diverse industries, locations and people.
The group visited the Pinjarra Massacre Site, Narrogin Department of Fire and Emergency Services, Narrogin Health Service, Katanning Sheep Saleyards, Katanning Town Hall, Collie Ridge Resort, Synergy Muja Power Station, CBH Forrestfield and Wellington Dam.
Moving from the UK to Fremantle, Avivo chief executive Kate Fulton said the field trip was 'eye-opening'.
'I was blown away by the pragmatism and the local investment, this is not just a job,' Ms Fulton said.
'We spent time with St John's and I couldn't believe the amount of volunteers, the entire operation is dependent on volunteers and I couldn't think of anywhere else in the world where that would be so significant.
'One of the big lessons for me as a leader is to really listen to the realities of living in regional WA and what are those practical differences and what adjustments do we need to make as employers and leaders.'
Farmers from Yuna, Nicole Batten, and Moora, Jim Hamilton, who were granted the program's CHB scholarship, said they learnt new perspectives on regional industries while sharing their own knowledge.
'It's a path of moving forward together,' Mr Hamilton said.
'It's how you relate to people in and outside your business and how you can share common goals and get where you want to.'
Ms Batten said talking to international medical residents at Narrogin Health Service, who chose to live and work regionally, was 'refreshing'.
'They promoted that as being an opportunity rather than a step backwards in their career,' Ms Batten said.
'There's this stigma that when you move to the country there's no support, you're isolated, but there's a really good support network if you seek it.
'The diversity of opportunity is bigger than the city in terms of expanding your skill set in more ways than you could ever imagine and outside of your own occupation.'
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