Governing board to chart course for Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges

Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne has welcomed the reappointment of the governing board of Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges.

“The board, under the chairmanship of experienced educator Hugh Rose, has been reappointed in full and will implement the new strategic plan for the colleges,” the Minister said.

“The strategic plan will guide a new phase of development for the colleges to educate the next generation of Queensland agriculturists.

“I am also pleased to announce that Zoe Kenneally has been appointed to the board, filling a vacancy created in 2016.

“Ms Kenneally is a senior finance executive, and has extensive experience working with agricultural industries, primarily in beef, and in dealing with pastoral property valuations and audit committees.

“She brings valuable financial, risk management and business skills to the QATC board.”

QATC CEO, Mark Tobin, welcomed the appointments and said he was looking forward to working with the new board.

“Together we have put in a lot of hard work to develop the new strategic plan for QATC, and it will be good to have this group of experienced people on our Governing Board, guiding the way in which we implement it over the coming few years”, he said.

“QATC’s goal is to be a world standard provider of education and research services in agriculture and associated industries. To achieve that will take a lot of work, but we are up for the challenge” he said.

Under the 2017-22 Strategic Plan, Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges is aiming to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their core agricultural educational programs, develop and showcase a modern best management practice agribusiness that enhances student learning outcomes, and achieve commercial sustainability.

 The returned members of the Governing Board, appointed through to June 2020, are:

Hugh Rose (Chair)

Mike Stalley (Deputy Chair)

Richard Pietsch

Tony Rayner

Christine Rolfe and

Leith Brown.

Media contact:

Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges

Julie McKerrow, Communications and Marketing Manager

(07) 5468 2124 or 0428 155 552

Email: julie.mckerrow@qatc.edu.au

Minister Byrne’s Office

Adrian Taylor, Senior Media Advisor

(07) 3719 7560 or 0448 994 172

Email: Adrian.taylor@ministerial.qld.gov.au

Background: Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges, a Queensland State Government owned Registered Training Organisation incorporating Emerald Agricultural College, Longreach Pastoral College, and training hubs across Queensland, has been delivering rural training since 1967. RTO 31258