THE Graeme Acton Beef Connections mentoring project being held in the lead-up to Beef 2024 in Rockhampton in May is now on its final stretch, and as part of that process, Beef Central is following the journey of one of the ten talented young industry stakeholders taking part.

Using a monthly diary format, South Australia’s Phoebe Eckermann* is outlining her experiences and learnings as part of the program.

Over the next three months, she will share her journey towards executing her chosen Beef Connections project, culminating with a presentation in Rockhampton along with her mentee cohort.

Links to her earlier diary entries starting in September last year can be found at the base of this page ….

 

 

 

 

 

HELLO again, Beef Central readers – I’m back after our holiday break – ready to share all about my journey as a Beef Connections mentee as we continue the countdown toward Beef 2024 – just 90 days to go!

Time files when you’re having fun – that’s what my experience has been like so far – meeting my fellow mentees, facilitators Jo Eady & Wendy Agar, being matched & meeting my fabulous mentor Sam Noon, embarking on my project Build Your Beef Future & travelling to the NSW Riverina to learn, connect and facilitate – it’s been a fabulous experience thus far.

Let’s Reflect

A few changes for me in 2024 with a new job in livestock breeding being the largest change of them all. It was great to have my mentor Sam Noon to support me during interviewing and now transitioning into the role.

I loved my final session with her in December – we had a great discussion. It was focused on goal setting and led into an enriching chat about creating a vision in your mind about what success looks like for you – and then using that to guide decisions.

We’ve just gone through the beginning of a new year – a classic time to set goals – however, this year I’ve loved the reminder of reflecting on how far I’ve come. A good friend of mine in response to new resolutions suggested to write down all you’ve achieved so far instead.  I loved this idea of looking back on all that I’ve achieved. Something that I reflected on with Sam too and I’d encourage you to do the same.

Be proud of all you’ve achieved!

With that said, time to look ahead and see what’s in store for 2024.

Future’s Beefing Up

First on the agenda is the upcoming Beef Connections Virtual Leadership Forum – “Beefing Up Innovation.”

In the following month mentees, Xavier McLuskey, Lachie Smith, Liam Cameron, Lauren Angus, Emily McNair, and I will be hosting this virtual leadership forum. Our focus will be on exploring innovation within the Beef Industry and delving into the critical role of leaders in ‘challenging how’ things are done.

I’m thrilled to take the lead in facilitating this forum and, in the coming weeks, I’ll be working closely with my fellow mentees and supported by Wendy Agar to ensure it is successful. Additionally, our mentors will be actively participating in the forum, providing valuable insights.

Each of us will have the opportunity to interview our mentors – time to start brainstorming some thought-provoking questions for my mentor Sam Noon. This forum presents a fantastic chance to network and learn from both past and present Beef Connections mentees and mentors.

I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to connect with the Beef Connections mentee and mentor alumni from p0revious Rocky Beef Expos, as well as gaining deeper insights into how leaders are challenging the status quo. It’s an event I’m excited for, and I’m eagerly anticipating the wealth of knowledge and connections it will bring.

Don’t Miss This

The Graeme Acton Beef Connections Lunch at Beef24 is just around the corner. Over the next few months, we will plan and prepare for this once in a lifetime event. With an audience of more than 300 anticipated, it will be a fantastic opportunity to present our experiences, insights, and achievements.

The thought of addressing this large audience has my palms sweating already – I’m looking forward to learning some public speaking tips soon to help me conquer this challenge.

Tickets are selling fast, so be sure to grab yours now – this is an event you won’t want to miss. What a great chance this will be to share stories, hone my public speaking skills, and connect with fellow mentees and industry professionals.

The event is not just a lunch; it’s a valuable opportunity for learning, networking, and building lasting connections. Mark your calendars for Wednesday May 8, 2024 – I’m looking forward to meeting you there!

Preparing For Live TV

Yes – that’s what I said: live TV! This one’s sounds a little daunting to me. As part of Beef24, we’ve been given the opportunity to be featured on Beef TV. It’s a chance that I know will require some preparation on my part.

Thankfully, facilitator Jo Eady has got my back. I’m looking forward to our upcoming mentee meet up, where I’ll have the chance to learn some valuable tips and tricks to navigate this new challenge.

And to top it off, I’ve heard that the amazing Andrea Crothers will be joining us to share her expertise on presenting – I can’t wait to soak up her insights. We met Andrea at our first Beef Connections meet up in Brisbane last May and I loved hearing her stories about her role as a TV presenter. This platform presents a unique opportunity for me to showcase my project and raise awareness about the diverse range of careers available in the Beef Industry. I’m excited to seize this chance, develop new skills and make the most out of it.

School’s In

I’m looking forward to participating in the schools program at Beef 2024. This will involve having conversations with students about careers in the beef industry – right up my alley!

I can’t wait to connect with the next generation. My hope is to inspire them to consider a career in agriculture – and what the Beef industry has to offer them – connections, a rewarding career, and lots of cows. What more could one what! I want to learn from them too and what they think our industry is all about. How can we support them to enter the industry? Is what I hope to find out too. I’m looking forward to these career chats in 2024.

Project Progress

Exciting developments lie ahead for my project, Build Your Beef Future. As we count down to Beef 2024, I’ve launched an Instagram campaign: ’94 Careers in 94 Days’. The goal is to shine a spotlight on the diverse array of careers within the beef industry. But that’s not all – I have plenty more exciting content planned, so be sure you’re following along for all the latest updates. Meanwhile, my magazine is progressing smoothly too. I’ve already conducted interviews with some incredibly inspiring industry professionals, and I’m thrilled to share their stories with you soon.

It’s been a powerful reminder of the diverse opportunities available within the beef industry and the various paths individuals take to pursue their careers. There are also many similarities already appearing in the stories too that show why a career in the beef industry is so rewarding.

Build Your Beef Future is gearing up for an eventful 2024. Make sure you’re following along to be a part of all the exciting developments! @buildyourbeeffuture

There’s lots to look forward to this year. Bring it on…

Talk again next month,

 

Phoebe

 

Phoebe’s previous diary entries

December 2023: Riverina families inspire

November 2023: The power of collaboration, opportunities and preparation

October 2023: Being, Balancing and Building Brilliance

September 2023: Meeting our mentors 

August 2023: Our journey begins

 

* Diarist Phoebe Eckermann works with NextGen Agri, a genetics and management consultancy company working with beef and sheep producers across Australia. She is one of ten 2023/24 Graeme Acton Connections Program mentees. Phoebe’s project vision is to create a web-based resource where people can explore the endless career pathways available in the modern beef industry. She has been engaged with the beef industry since her early teen years, having established her own Limousin stud and shown cattle, winning championships at the Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne Royal Shows.