The Leadership WA Signature Southern Field Trip 2025

For 20 years, we have brought our State’s top leaders, decision-makers and influencers to regional WA, to experience first-hand the reality of living and working in the regions, giving them the chance to interact and learn from regional leaders to promote greater cooperation between metro and regional areas in the future.

Over 3 days, our 38 Signature leaders had a unique opportunity to connect with those who call the south of WA home. They learnt more about regional life, gained an understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the region, and the community initiatives in play as they continue to shape a better WA.

The journey began at Bindjareb Park, where Karrie-Anne Kearing, Traditional Owner, Keeper of Knowledge and Director at Bindjareb Park, shared the site’s deep historical and emotional significance as she led the Participants on a tour of the Park.

Next, the group visited the Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ Bushfire Centre of Excellence, a hub combining First Nations knowledge with modern bushfire management. They heard from DFES team members:

• John Tillman, Chief Superintendent
• Stuart Wade (Signature 2024), Chief Superintendent County North
• Russel Wells, District Officer – Training Delivery
• Peter Galvin, Bushfire Knowledge & Practice Manager

They spoke about the challenges of leading rural emergency services and delivering hands-on training for volunteer teams.

To close out the day, participants visited Narrogin Hospital for a panel discussion featuring:

• Melanie Goode – Director, WA Country Health
• Russell Colyer-Cockburn – Regional Director of Nursing & Midwifery, WA Country Health – Wheatbelt
• Eloisa Goss – Principal, Narrogin Primary School

The panel discussed their experiences living in the same town they work in, and their passion for the communities they serve.

At the start of day 2, participants toured Katanning Sheep Saleyards and heard from Rod Bushell, Saleyards Manager and Julia Smith, Director, Livestock Research and Industry Innovation, Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development. Rod and Julia highlighted concerns around the future of the sheep trade, the wider impact and highlighted the value of mentoring future farmers in an evolving industry with growing skill demands.

The cohort listened to an insightful agriculture panel featuring Signature Participants and CBH Scholarship recipients Nicole Batten, Director, Batten Farms; Jim Hamilton, Manager/Partner, Maradah Farm; and Simon Wallwork (Signature 2023), Managing Director, Hacienda De Trigo.

The panel tackled big issues: the changing face of farming, tech innovation in agriculture, climate change, land costs, and also shared with the Participants stories from their farms and beloved communities, showing them how each one was brilliantly unique, but faced with the same state-wide challenges and opportunities.

After that, it was off to Katanning town hall for an amazing conversation with local leaders, including Cr Kristy D’Aprile, President, Shire of Katanning. They gave an overview of the town’s history as well as its economic future, discussing their focus on employing and training people from within the town and covering a wide range of topics from a community perspective, giving brilliant insight into rural life.

To round out the day, the Participants had dinner at the Collie Ridge Hotel, joined by guest speaker Cate Brooks, CEO, South West Regional Development Commission, who spoke on the challenges faced by regional WA and her personal story.

Day 3 began with a tour of the Synergy Collie Power Station, followed by a panel of Synergy team members including:

• Liz Baggetta, Head of Transition
• Glen Stallard, Workforce Transition Manager
• Brittney Griggs, Transition Stakeholder Specialist
• Daniel Graham, Contractor Workforce Transition Coordinator

They spoke on a people first co-creation system for processes at Synergy, and shared with the cohort insights into this industrial age power system and what it means for the region moving forward into an eco-centric environment. The passion and commitment from the team was truly inspiring.

Participants then travelled to the breathtaking Wellington Dam for one last breathtaking view of the south’s beautiful terrain before their final stop back north in Forrestfield for a visit to CBH Group’s Metro Grain Centre. There, they toured the facility and heard from David Paton, Head of Operations, who shared his leadership journey and spoke about the vital connections between regional industries and metropolitan WA in building a stronger state.

Acknowledgements

We thank our Signature Leadership Program regional partners, TransWA, CBH Group, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, WA Country Health Service, and the Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development for kindly supporting this three-day regional experience.

Thank you to our venue hosts, Bindjareb Park, Synergy, Shire of Katanning, and Boyup Brook Community Centre.

We also thank our scholarship sponsors: Lotterywest, CBH Group, Grower Group Alliance and Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.