AGRICULTURAL LEADER TO INSPIRE ON WORLD RURAL WOMEN’S DAY
Published Thursday, 28 September, 2006 at 04:21 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
An innovative agribusiness leader and campaigner of rural women is set to inspire both men and women during her key note address at a Longreach World Rural Women’s Day event on October 12.
Hosted by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, innovative rural leaders will be a feature of this Longreach event, highlighting the WRWD theme of “Rural Women – Leaders of Tomorrow”.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said the forum would feature a motivational presentation by Karen Heck, executive director of The Heck Group, about women and leadership.
“The Heck Group is a fifth generation family sugar business and one of the largest landholders in South East Queensland,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“The company owns and operates sugar and ethanol production plants, cane farms, an industrial products packaging plant, and industrial land developments.
Mr Mulherin said the Heck Group was also joint venture in a green energy co-generation project and was a key driver for industry and infrastructure development in the region.
“Karen is just one of the many innovative women working making their mark in primary industries in Queensland _ women such as Martha Shepherd (Galeru), Wendy Erhart (Withcott Seedlings) and Leeanne Gangemi (Ballandean Estate).
Jan Jarratt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Primary industries and Fisheries said: “Karen, as an innovative young woman in management and a mother who balances many activities in her life, is an ideal choice as guest speaker as she strongly supports the advancement of women in business, particularly in the rural sector.
“In her current role as an executive director of the Heck Group, she has taken on a more strategic role, working with Federal, State and local government agencies, corporate advisers and industry bodies to formulate a 20-year plan for the 6000 hectare sugar cane catchment.
“Over the past 15 years she has also served on a number of government, company and not-for-profit boards.
“She also was one of a number of younger leaders from key sectors across Australia recently selected to attend the national Australia Future Directions forum.
“She is currently a director of the Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women and has been on the executive committee of the National Women on Boards group,” Ms Jarratt said.
Over the past five years Ms Heck has been involved with a number of national events as part of the Women on Boards program.
“Nothing inspires and sustains me more than spending time with rural women,” Ms Heck said.
“I am constantly reminded of the depth and high level of expertise in rural Australia, and I think it comes as a great surprise to our fellow urban women how talented, confident and hard working rural women are.
“No MBA or executive title can replace the hands-on learning rural women have to undertake from a young age whether it is around the dinner table and out on the farm.”
The WRWD aims to raise the profile of rural women and to recognise their contributions.
The Longreach event, a Women in Management panel, a debate and an organic Meat and Greet barbecue.
It will be held at the Longreach DPI&F conference room, commencing at 10am. Lunch will be provided. Everyone is welcome to attend.
To RSVP or to find out more information about the Longreach WRWD event, phone Chris Capel on (07) 4658 9001 or email capel@tpg.com.au
Media: David Potter 32396530
Hosted by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, innovative rural leaders will be a feature of this Longreach event, highlighting the WRWD theme of “Rural Women – Leaders of Tomorrow”.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin said the forum would feature a motivational presentation by Karen Heck, executive director of The Heck Group, about women and leadership.
“The Heck Group is a fifth generation family sugar business and one of the largest landholders in South East Queensland,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“The company owns and operates sugar and ethanol production plants, cane farms, an industrial products packaging plant, and industrial land developments.
Mr Mulherin said the Heck Group was also joint venture in a green energy co-generation project and was a key driver for industry and infrastructure development in the region.
“Karen is just one of the many innovative women working making their mark in primary industries in Queensland _ women such as Martha Shepherd (Galeru), Wendy Erhart (Withcott Seedlings) and Leeanne Gangemi (Ballandean Estate).
Jan Jarratt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Primary industries and Fisheries said: “Karen, as an innovative young woman in management and a mother who balances many activities in her life, is an ideal choice as guest speaker as she strongly supports the advancement of women in business, particularly in the rural sector.
“In her current role as an executive director of the Heck Group, she has taken on a more strategic role, working with Federal, State and local government agencies, corporate advisers and industry bodies to formulate a 20-year plan for the 6000 hectare sugar cane catchment.
“Over the past 15 years she has also served on a number of government, company and not-for-profit boards.
“She also was one of a number of younger leaders from key sectors across Australia recently selected to attend the national Australia Future Directions forum.
“She is currently a director of the Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women and has been on the executive committee of the National Women on Boards group,” Ms Jarratt said.
Over the past five years Ms Heck has been involved with a number of national events as part of the Women on Boards program.
“Nothing inspires and sustains me more than spending time with rural women,” Ms Heck said.
“I am constantly reminded of the depth and high level of expertise in rural Australia, and I think it comes as a great surprise to our fellow urban women how talented, confident and hard working rural women are.
“No MBA or executive title can replace the hands-on learning rural women have to undertake from a young age whether it is around the dinner table and out on the farm.”
The WRWD aims to raise the profile of rural women and to recognise their contributions.
The Longreach event, a Women in Management panel, a debate and an organic Meat and Greet barbecue.
It will be held at the Longreach DPI&F conference room, commencing at 10am. Lunch will be provided. Everyone is welcome to attend.
To RSVP or to find out more information about the Longreach WRWD event, phone Chris Capel on (07) 4658 9001 or email capel@tpg.com.au
Media: David Potter 32396530