A HORSHAM grains industry professional has been accepted into the acclaimed Australian Rural Leadership Program.
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Denise McLellan will head to the Kimberleys later this month for the first of six sessions with the program.
The program is the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation's flagship program, which has developed leaders for the future of rural and regional Australia for more than 20 years.
"I had heard about the leadership program and the amazing opportunities it offered," Mrs McLellan said.
"It's always something that's been on my to do list."
Mrs McLellan said the six sessions would span about 18 months.
"Locations vary throughout Australia and one session is overseas," she said.
"Each session goes for about one to two weeks."
Mrs McLellan said she looked forward to having more exposure to rural and regional Australia.
"Not just in agriculture, but I want to develop a broader understand of a range of industries, people and issues affecting Australia at various levels," she said.
"I'm looking forward to developing my own leadership skills and expanding my networks, particularly in the grains industry.
"I am also looking forward to meeting like-minded people who are passionate about getting involved.
"Learning from others is important for me personally, but I think it's also important for the grains industry if it is going to see continual innovation."
Mrs McLellan is no stranger to grain growers in the Wimmera.
She operates Bengalee, a farming and contracting business at Riverside.
She said she was excited at the prospect of developing skills that were not just important to farming operations, but also to the broad business landscape across Australia.
"In the future, I'm keen to see improved profitability and economic returns to growers. I'm also focused on increasing the recognition of farmers," she said.
"If we can do this we might see more of the next generation choosing farming and agriculture as a viable and rewarding career."
The Grains Research and Development Corporation has sponsored Mrs McLellan's involvement in the program.
Former program graduate and corporation southern regional panel member Susan Findlay Tickner said Mrs McLellan would reap enormous benefits from the program.
"This program is a terrific vehicle for our industry to develop the next cohort of leaders that will take us forward," she said.
"Denise will have access to the captains of industry from across the agricultural sector, enabling the grains industry to learn from the success of others."
