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Good plant moisture status is critical in the first 20 days after flowering to allow potential fibre elongation rates.
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
March 3, 2011
The 2nd Sustaining Rural Communities National Conference will be held at the Crossing Theatre, Narrabri,NSW on the 5th and 6th April 2011 with the theme of ‘Transforming Regional Australia’.
A critical component of this is free Conference is empowering people in regional communities. ThisConference will also tackle how people and communities successfully address everyday challenges ofcommunity survival, as well as tools, technologies, infrastructure and policy changes that can befashioned to ensure Australia’s regions survive.
The Conference is the initiative of the Cotton Catchments Communities CRC and Cotton Research &Development Corporation. Convenor Dr Paula Jones, Community Program Leader with the CottonCatchment Communities CRC said the Sustaining Rural Communities National Conference is a key eventwhich provides participants with the opportunity to meet, discuss and act upon the broad range of socialresearch currently being undertaken in regards to rural communities.
“Empowering people in regional communities to actively participate is vital if we are to succeed intransforming the future of Regional Australia”.
“The conference focuses on many important topics and will attract delegates from around Australia,including representatives from all agricultural industries, along with a number of delegates fromgovernment and industries such as mining, manufacturing, finance, tourism, transport, science,education and health
“Action bursaries will again be available to conference participants to kick start a community basedproject. These projects are aimed at implementing a community event or project which will assist in thesustainability of our rural communities
“The event will enable delegates to put their own ideas and solutions on the table and have them heardwell beyond the four walls of the conference.
“Delegates will be able to network during and after the event with like minded people from regionalcommunities all over Australia including a range of agricultural industries, small business, government,mining, manufacturing, finance, tourism, transport, science, education and health professionals.
Key issues addressed:
- Technology & infrastructure changing regional communities
- Our big employers: Mining and agriculture working together Challenges of drought policies
- Diversification: attracting new business and industries
- Work force challenges and future opportunities for indigenous workforces
• Hon Tony Windsor, MP talking on “Attributes and aspirations of sustainable ruralcommunities and how we get there?”. Tony Windsor is the Independent Federal Memberfor New England in the Parliament of Australia. He is a primary producer and has lived nearthe town of Werris Creek his whole life where he operates the property 'Cintra'. Tony'sfarming background, together with his qualifications as an economist, have led to his activeinvolvement with a broad range of rural groups and organisations over many years.
• Mal Peters, Northern Inland Regional Development ‐ “Our plans for the Northern Inland”.Mal operates a 13,500 acre beef and sheep property near Ashford in Northern NSW. He iscurrently a director of the Rural Assistance Authority, Agricultural Health Australia and theBorder Rivers‐Gwydir Catchment Management Authority. Mal is a life member of theAustralian Farm Institute and NSW Farmers' Association of which he is a former President.Mal is a passionate defender of rural Australia working to grow opportunities whileretaining the current services and way of life.
• Ian Plowman, Organisational Psychologist ‐“Managing community conversations for apositive outcome”. Ian is an organisational psychologist, facilitator and social researcherwho works with groups, associations, industries, communities and government agencies.He holds a Doctorate in Management (researching innovation), an Advanced Masters inBusiness Administration, and a Masters in Organizational Psychology and an HonoursDegree in Clinical Psychology. Ian helps clients to develop skills and awareness to removeblockages and raise their levels of creativity and innovation. In particular, Ian’s passion ishelping clients engage in more effective conversations.
• Monica Attard, ABC Journalist ‐“Lets go regional ‐ Putting your regional community on themap”. Monica Attard is one of the ABC’s most senior journalists. She has served thecorporation overseas as well as having presented some of its most high profile currentaffairs programs.
Major sponsors: Namoi CMA, Agrifood Skills Australia, Eastern Star Gas, Narrabri Shire Council, RegionalDevelopment Australia, Austsafe Super, Whitehaven Coal and Careers Network
ENDS….
Registration: All attendees, including Media are required to register online at: Sustaining Rural Communities Conference Registration
Contact for further information and interviews: Kate Schwager, Community Officer P: (02) 6799 2477 M:0408 486 667 kate.schwager@cottoncrc.org.au
“Prosperity through Innovation”-The Cotton Catchment Communities CRC was established to ensure world’s best practicein production, environmental and catchment management; to secure international competitiveness using research to increaseyield and fibre quality; and to generate improved social and economic conditions in cotton communities by integrating economic prosperity with the sustainable use of natural resource for the benefit of the Australian cotton industry, regional communities and the nation.
