Rural Leadership Unearthed Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF)

In this generous episode Indigenous leader, Bernice Hookey, shares her passion for disrupting the harmful cycles that exist around intergenerational trauma. She offers insight into her own journey of healing, and how it has led to her passion for fostering and supporting leadership through her amazing work with First Nations women.

Bernice was also sponsored by the National Indigenous Australians Agency to take part in course 29 of the Australian Rural Leadership Program in 2022.

Sitting down with our host, Claire Delahunty, she describes how grief and darkness led her to a stronger connection with the importance of love and humanity in leadership. She also stresses how essential it is to be open to “everyday learning” and not to be complacent about bias, prejudice, discrimination and racism.

Some highlights:


Bernice shares her connection to Culture, Country and the vital role of Elders
The power of keeping a diary and writing to reflect on your life
Leaning in to “growing through what we’re going through”
The role we can all play in sharing the responsibility for reconciliation
How her business ‘positively disrupts’ social conditioning to create positive ripples for the next generation

If any of the content is a trigger, we’ve provided some support service details below: 


Lifeline: call 13 11 14 | text 0477 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au
1800 Respect: call 1800 737 732 | text 0458 737 732 | www.1800respect.org.au
13 Yarn: call 13 92 76 | www.13yarn.org.au

Resources: 

⁠ARLF podcast blog⁠

⁠ARLF website

Across the Tasman: a journey of inspiration, connection and reflection

MZB Empowerment website

Yanalagnami

Aunty Bernice on the Yanalagnami Chamgemakers podcast

In this raw episode, double organ transplant recipient and Herd of Hope founder, Megan McLoughlin takes us through the grief of receiving an extraordinary gift from a stranger, and her path to purpose and peace.Megan describes the experience of managing juvenile diabetes growing up in rural South Australia; losing most of her sight at the age of 26 and the joy and freedom she finds in barrel racing.Megan undertook a mentorship through the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s National Mentoring Program in 2023 – a process which helped her realise she did not have to “prove” to the world that her life was worthy of saving.Sitting down with our host, Claire Delahunty, she reflects on her journey to embrace her intrinsic value, and the inspiration she has taken from the humble herd animals she has spent her life around.Some highlights: • Megan talks about the challenges of managing a chronic health problem in rural Australia• How to be an advocate and raise awareness• The complexity of receiving a life-saving gift from a stranger• What we can all do to reframe the problematic label of ‘disability’• Why we need our ‘herd’ around us, more than ever

Links: 

ARLF podcast blog

ARLF website

National Mentoring Program (Drought Initiative)

Herd of Hope website

Blind barrel racer Megan McLoughlin tells her story of disability, success | ABC Australia

Donate Life

Lifeline Australia

Oli Le Lievre is the founder of the hugely successful Humans of Agriculture podcast and media business. From suburban Sydney to a career in agriculture, Oli has let his curiosity and passion guide him to the frontline of reshaping the narrative about farming.

Having experienced a range of roles on the land in Australia and overseas, and within the agri-corporate world, Oli has faced-down doubt and inner conflict to start a remarkable movement. It all centres around his conviction that stories are the key to reconnecting people with where food and fibre comes from. 

Oli sits down with our host, Claire Delahunty, and shares his passion for shaping a positive conversation that we can all be a part of. 

Some highlights:  


Oli talks about how essential it is to be a part of the ‘conversation’ if you want to have input
The realisation that age is no barrier to having something to offer
How leading with a negative is not the way to engage someone or inspire change
And taking comfort in the knowledge that fear is something every leader has grappled with at some stage, but if we’re willing to give it a go, it can be hugely rewarding

Links:  

ARLF podcast blog

Visit the Humans of Agriculture website

Listen to the Humans of Agriculture Podcast on

Spotify and Apple podcasts

Find out more about the Australian Rural Leadership Program

In this revealing episode, writer/creative practitioner/community advocate/youth mentor/Australian Rural Leadership Foundation alum Alysha Herrmann shares her journey of authentic and vulnerable leadership. 

With family roots entrenched in the wool industry, Alysha's life began with constant movement and a deep connection to rural communities. Facing adversity in her teen years, she made the bold decision to leave her family and school at just 15. The transformative experience of motherhood at 17 propelled her to pursue further education, and her inner creative, that reshaped her future. 

Sitting down with ARLF's Vivienne Johnson, Alysha shares her evolution from a rebellious, arts-averse teenager to a prominent figure in the regional arts sector.

Some highlights: 


Alysha discusses the transformative impact of the creative industry on an individual, and the community.
How it creates more opportunities for regional creatives to be heard in their own communities and further afield.
The importance of diverse voices and inclusive approaches in decision making.
And embracing vulnerability as a strength in leadership.



Links: 

⁠ARLF podcast blog

Read Alysha's interview hereand more about her story here

and hereTo find out more about the ARLF's partnership with Regional Arts Australia

Steve Tinker heads Telstra’s operations in Northern and Western Victoria and he’s part of Telstra’s Response Team. Over 30 years in the job, he’s led Telstra’s customer response, and support for impacted communities through some of the worst natural disasters we’ve seen. With our regions experiencing a cyclone, floods and fires in recent weeks, Steve and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s chief executive Matt Linnegar discuss the challenges, and rewards, of leadership during disasters. And Telstra’s boost in disaster support across the regions. 



As a teaser, we learn: 


Steve’s leadership approach is less complex than telecommunications itself. 
In the event people are experiencing the worst day in their life, he’s guided by empathy in his response. 
How emergency leaders helped inspire and mould his leadership. 
How the actions and optimism of passionate locals during times of disaster is contagious.
And two top tips to prepare yourself for disasters….one unexpected yet potentially the most practical. 
And much more. 



As one of ARLF’s longest supporters in delivering leadership for positive impact across regional, rural and remote Australia, we’re thrilled be featuring Telstra in the first episode of the Rural Leadership Unearthed podcast.  To find out more about Telstra’s partnership and impact across our regions through its support and ARLF alumni, head to the links below. 



Links: 

ARLF podcast blog

ARLF Telstra case study blog

Telstra’s Disaster Response campaign

Consumer specific

Business specific

How to prepare

Telstra’s dedicated assistance line: 1800 888 888