The Connection Table

🌱 Who inspires rural leadership? 🌱 At AgriFutures evokeAG 2024 in Perth, The Connection Table had the privilege of sitting down with some incredible leaders from across rural Australia to ask one simple but powerful question: Who has influenced your leadership journey? 🎥 Check out this snippet where Elizabeth Brennan shares who has influenced her leadership journey - https://lnkd.in/g27-BQC9 This year, we’re thrilled to announce we’ll be back at AgriFutures evokeAG 2025, recording more stories from incredible leaders. If you’ll be at the event, don’t miss your chance to share your journey with us! 👥 Want to be part of a network that celebrates and supports rural leadership? Join us today at https://lnkd.in/gCgtE-4K and follow along as we spotlight more inspiring stories. #Leadership #RuralAustralia #EvokeAG #TheConnectionTable #ProfessionalNetwork

🚀 Upcoming Professional Development Session Alert! Calling all network members of The Connection Table! 🎉 This month, we're diving into a topic that’s essential for anyone looking to join a board or advisory panel or make a bigger impact on the one you’re already on: ✨ Governance: Meetings with Real Outcomes Serving on a board requires more than just showing up – it’s about driving real results and making your voice count. In this session, you’ll learn: ✅ How to structure meetings for clarity and focus ✅ Techniques to ensure action oriented discussions ✅ Practical strategies for driving accountability and follow through 🗓 Date: 28th Jan 2025 ⏰ Time: 1pm AEDT 💻 Where: Online Whether you're aspiring to join a board or advisory panel, or already serving and eager to step up your governance game, this session will give you the tools to lead with confidence and purpose. 🌟 Open to members of The Connection Table (login in here - https://lnkd.in/gJnReY_z) 👉 Not a member? Hop to it > https://lnkd.in/g5FZjVwz We can’t wait to see you there as we explore how to turn meetings into powerful tools for growth and impact. 💼💡 #Governance #ProfessionalDevelopment #TheConnectionTable #BoardSkills #LeadershipImpact #MeaningfulOutcomes

PODCAST > Big Fish, Little Place In this weeks episode, Julia's guest is Dimity Smith. Dimity lives at Tamworth where she runs her business GRŌ Events Group. Dimity has done what many do - manage a full time job and a side hustle. That was until something drastic occurred like a world-wide pandemic and she needed to change course, and quickly! This conversation ended up down the rabbit hole of the challenges for regional people wanting to work when child care is non-existent. Through this conversation though, Julia kept hearing Dimity talk about her values - of resourcefulness, of forging your own path, and the willingness to have a go! Enjoy this conversation with Dimity. To listen, head to https://lnkd.in/g2MuM5zp

2025 - The Connection Table is coming for you! Julia and Jo are back(ish) in the office and have we got some exciting things on the cards for Q1 this year. Professional development ✅ Networking events ✅ Board and advisory panel roles ✅ Speaking opportunities ✅ Keep your eyes on our page for the upcoming professional development opportunities for January for our members. Not part of the network yet? Now is the time to join - https://lnkd.in/g5FZjVwz

PODCAST > Take a Seat In this episode, Jo Palmer speaks with Kristal Kinsela. Kristal is a passionate and proud Aboriginal role model, a descendant of both the Jawoyn and Wiradjuri nations with nearly 20 years of experience in education and training, organisational and workforce development, and supplier diversity working across Government, Corporate and Not-for-Profit sectors. She is also a mum to a new generation of entrepreneurs and a fierce example of the leadership talent that lives in rural Australia. Kristal shares her incredible leadership journey to date and delves into the enormous sacrifices she has made to combat the challenges faced by building a business in the bush. Kristal also shares an insight into her experience working for leaders that has been pivotal in her career. Jo hopes you enjoy this conversation as she takes a seat with Kristal Kinsela. To listen, head to https://lnkd.in/g2MuM5zp

If you haven't joined us for 'Lunch with Friends' yet, you're missing out on hanging out with the likes of Catherine Marriott OAM talking all things rural leadership. You can watch previous sessions here - https://lnkd.in/gY2SXXt7

PODCAST > Playgrounds to Politics In this episode, Samantha Dendle speaks with the Honourable Kristy McBain MP. Minister McBain is the Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. Minister McBain talks about her pathway into politics which in keeping with the name of our podcast, actually came about because of a playground! She talks about how a personal frustration at a local government level led her to become the Mayor of her council and propelled her into Federal politics. You may notice the bells in the background throughout parts of the interview. Minister McBain was in Parliament House in Canberra and the Senate bells definitely made themselves heard. Regardless, Samantha hopes you enjoy their conversation. To listen, head to https://lnkd.in/g2MuM5zp

PODCAST > Big Fish, Little Place In this week's episode, Julia Spicer OAM speaks with fellow Goondiwindi-ite/ Jerome Leray. Jerome and his now wife Emma moved to Goondiwindi to establish their business InFarm. Emma is also a pharmacist, and Jerome was a founder of Discover Farming - a not for profit organisation helping to tell the stories of Goondiwindi. Jerome shares why he thinks we need to be more ambitious in the regions, how accessing decision makers can be as easy as looking at the Mayor’s number and how we can learn from other global rural communities. Enjoy this conversation! To listen, head to https://lnkd.in/g2MuM5zp

Gold nuggets a plenty as always from Robyn Henderson who ran professional development session on 'Strategic Networking for Leaders' this week. We are building a library of content and resources from powerhouses like Robyn in The Connection Table, come join us. www.theconnectiontable.com

Don't forget to register for this months 'Lunch with Friends'! Oli Le Lievre will be joining Julia Spicer OAM and Jo Palmer on Friday. Oli Le Lievre is the Founder of Humans of Agriculture (HOA), a storytelling platform that's on a mission to connect, inform and inspire their one-of-a-kind community. Oli's career has spanned AgTech start-ups, Fresh Producer Logistics and Export, Corporate Management Consulting, Global AgriFood Events, on-farm roles in Australia and Canada, Brand and Marketing roles and volunteer roles on the board of several Not-For-Profits. Oli is a graduate of Course 28 of the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP), and a 2021 Finalist in the Zanda McDonald Award. Bring your lunch and join us for this free session. https://lnkd.in/g6mcDnBP