Meet SA’s country champions: From GPs, to teachers, agricultural researchers and biosecurity experts
They’re on top of the crops and in front of the herd. These are the South Aussies flying the flag for regional business, farming and rural research.
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In keeping with our theme of celebrating our state’s rural heroes, this week we meet 13 inspiring young individuals using their professional skills to help build a bright future outside the city limits.
From doctors who’ve chosen a country practice, to grain industry advocates and leaders in agricultural research, livestock biosecurity, primary production promotion and cultural heritage preservation, South Australia has an impressive field of up-and-coming country stalwarts.
And let’s not forget those charged with one of the most important jobs or all, teaching and nurturing a new generation of rural Australians.
Today we travel from the Riverland to Mt Gambier, the Barossa and Bordertown, to introduce you to some of those doing their part to support hardworking farmers, their families and the industries they love.
Part 1: Cream of the crop: SA’s top young farmers
1. DEANNA LUSH, 39
PRIMARY PRODUCTION / COMMUNICATION
Farming with husband Steen Paech at Palmer in the Murraylands where they run a 4500 hectare grain and sheep operation, Hillydale Farms, Deanna co-founded AgCommunicators, a communication, marketing and education consultancy based in Adelaide with rural and regional clients across Australia.
“I’ve been fortunate to have had many opportunities in my career, which I’m sure I would not have had in other industries,” Deanna says.
“I’ve travelled widely internationally for work, I completed a Churchill Fellowship which set me on a path assisting industry to engage the Australian community about food production … started a business from scratch and managed some of the largest rural communication projects in Australia within five years.
“(This is) as well as making some major changes in our farming business in the past two years.”
Deanna says she is inspired by the nation’s “hardworking farmers”.
“They take the highs and lows of rainfall and seasons, commodity prices, markets they can’t control and all the challenges and opportunities that running a business brings – and they still keep smiling and helping their neighbours and communities,” she says.
Anything she misses in the country?
“We all look forward to the day when Uber Eats does rural drone delivery,” she laughs.
2. DR KATE GUNN, 36
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Growing up on a farm at Mount Cooper near Port Kenny on the Eyre Peninsula, Dr Kate Gunn’s love of country life and rural communities has driven her professional life.
The clinical Psychologist and Uni SA senior research fellow now leads a program of research that has resulted in improved understanding of farmers’ key sources of stress and some of the barriers that prevent them from seeking help.
Working with farmers from across Australia she has co-designed a web and text message-based program, www.ifarmwell.com.au, aimed to boost farmers’ wellbeing and prevent suicide.
“I’m proud to have been able to use my education and research role to help articulate the health-related needs and preferences of rural people, in particular farmers, and work with them to develop strategies to improve their health and wellbeing,” Dr Gunn says.
“There are lots of great things about rural communities but the poor health outcomes and lack of access to high quality health care really concern me.
“I’d like to see an agricultural industry that is thriving, not just financially but also physically and mentally.”
The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation Program participant has won a swag of awards and accolades over the past few years including the SA Tall Poppy Science Excellence Award and a Churchill Fellowship, to investigate sustainable methods of improving the health and wellbeing of rural cancer survivors.
3. STEPH LUNN, 29,
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
This Jamestown-based field research officer and a brainchild of not-for-profit organisation TrialSafe – a podcast series aimed to raise awareness of issues important to the research and broader agricultural industry – is proud to be part of a growing cohort of passionate female agricultural professionals.
“I am a big advocate for women in agriculture and am driven by the recent changes in the industry’s culture and attitude towards women,” she says.
“I take a lot of pride in helping develop young people in our business and exposing the next generation of agriculturalists to our industry.
“The diversity of opportunities in agriculture has never been greater … we are in the early stages of a whole new world of technology that will increase agricultural productivity and enhance research capacity ... from drones, to satellite imagery, to getting a tractor to drive by itself.”
Steph, who spent her high school years in suburban Flagstaff Hill, says she wants city-based consumers to better know where their food comes from, saying the stereotype of a flannelette shirt-wearing, straw-chewing farmer is outdated.
“Current growers utilise large machinery, implement innovative technology and run multimillion-dollar businesses,” she says.
“(They do this) while tackling changing markets, slowed supply chains and rapidly-inflating input costs and adverse environmental conditions.”
Steph says she is committed to playing her part in reducing fresh food wastage.
4. DR JAMES MCLEOD, 36
RURAL GENERAL PRACTICE
Renmark GP, Dr James McLeod, is proud to do his part to help keep rural Australia well and healthy.
“I want to keep my medical clinic an enjoyable and sustainable place to work and importantly I want to play a big part in fixing the rural medical workforce shortage,” he says.
“I am most proud of how everyone at my medical clinic has worked so well together to get through the Covid pandemic.
“In early 2020, the initial outlook was grim but everyone worked amazingly hard and pulled together as a team and now we are very optimistic about the future in both servicing the community and also training the next generation of junior doctors.”
Dr McLeod says a country practice has plenty to offer.
“With improvements in communication, rural life now seems far less isolated because we are so much better connected to our friends and family in the city,” he says.
“It still has all the benefits of fresh air, wide open spaces, beautiful scenery but without any traffic or stop lights.
“City folk need to be reminded that country folk aren’t just simple ‘country bumpkins’ … the farmers in this region work massive hours and they sacrifice their own physical and
mental health to feed the cities and provide so many of the luxuries that often get taken for granted.
“We are lucky to have such amazing food and wine in Australia and just about all of it comes from rural farmers.”
5. AMY REID, 33
EDUCATION – PRIMARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
As principal of Bordertown Primary School, Amy Reid says she is inspired daily by
“the opportunity to work with like-minded people who have high aspirations for children and schools”.
“I’m most proud of the work I do every day at school with kids, their families and our wonderful school staff. It’s a real privilege to be part of a child’s journey,” she says.
Having grown up on a sheep station in the Flinders Ranges, country life isn’t new to her.
“I’m fortunate to have found a profession that I love, and I hope to continue making a contribution by serving school communities,” she says.
“Schools are full of energy and joy – they’re one of the best places to work.
“I love that each day presents a new and often unexpected challenge or opportunity as well as a reason to laugh.”
Amy says rural SA’s growing migrant population is enriching local communities and adding new culture to rural life.
“Country folk have a remarkable generosity of spirit,” she says.
“There is so much goodwill in country workplaces with staff often going above and beyond the call of duty.
“There is also a lot to learn on the job here, with great opportunities to expand your expertise and progress your career.”
6. DR CATHERINE HARPER, 36
VETERINARIAN, SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
This Nuriootpa and Kapunda-based veterinarian and business owner is proud to have tripled the size of her business in five years, to provide employment for an additional 14 people in her local community.
She says it is her clients and their animals that inspire her.
“Observing the immense benefits that animals provide to us as individuals and a community and being able to support this connection,” she says.
“(For me it is about) making a difference to the lives of animals and their owners through education and awareness, as well as providing a positive and dynamic workplace where employees love to work.”
Dr Harper is also passionate about her industry – and committed to those who work in it.
“There are significant workforce and mental health challenges in the veterinary industry,” she says.
“I want to ensure a sustainable workplace where employees can thrive … to ensure their happiness but also the continuation of veterinary service to our community.”
She believes the opportunities in rural South Australia are growing.
“With improved road infrastructure to our area, specialist services in Adelaide are more accessible and can enjoy the fresh air and lifestyle without missing out on the additional services from a bigger city,” she says.
“Improvisation is still alive and well (here) and that there is always an opportunity to make the best from any situation using the people and resources around you.”
7. BRAD PERRY, 36
GRAIN INDUSTRY ADVOCATE
For Cockatoo Valley-raised Brad Perry, his role as chief advocate for the state’s grain producers, as CEO of Grain Producers SA, is close to his heart.
“The passion and resilience of South Australian farmers never ceases to amaze me,” he says.
“Spending time with farmers at the forefront of innovation in this state leaves you feeling optimistic about the future for agriculture in Australia.
“Being in a position to help the grain sector fulfil its potential, and the opportunities before it, inspires me … I want to continue contributing to the agriculture industry and making a difference for the 4,500 grain growers we represent.
“My aspiration is for (our state’s) grain sector to be the most sustainable and innovative in Australia.”
Brad says he’s proud of the part he played in helping remove a 16-year moratorium on growing genetically-modified food crops in SA.
“(I’m also proud of) driving AgTech policy through the establishment of the first ever AgTech Strategic Plan for SA,” he says.
“The pandemic has really highlighted to people in metropolitan areas the importance of South Australia’s regions and has made them further appreciate where their food comes from.
“We are seeing cities becoming better connected with regional areas, particularly with investments in infrastructure that make it easier and more convenient to access our rural areas.
8. DR LAUREN KENNEDY, 36
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
She is a Mt Gambier-based, emergency medicine doctor and clinical educator, determined to inspire other medicos to want to work in rural and regional South Australia.
“I am currently working on different projects (but) in each of my roles, the aim is keeping student doctors and junior doctors in country areas for prolonged periods of time during their training,” she says.
“There is evidence that suggests this is very important for improving our rural medical workforce.”
Pregnant with her second child, Dr Kennedy says she doesn’t need to go far to find inspiration in her regional workplace.
“My work is more enjoyable and I can make a much bigger impact working in the country both for patients and the wider community than I ever could have in the city,” she says.
“I haven’t been living in the country consistently for very long as I wasn’t able to complete my specialist training in the country in SA, which is one of the things I am working to change.
“But the main thing people in the city get wrong is that we are missing out by living in the country – we aren’t.
“I still eat amazing food when I go out, I still get to do the exercise classes I was doing before, I still get to do all of the activities with my daughter that we did before – in fact, we get to go to more playgroups down here as they are spread over different days of the week.”
9. TOM BARTHOLOMAEUS, 35
VITICULTURE
A technical viticulturist at Torbreck Vintners, Tom is also a sixth-generation wine
grape grower with a keen interest in his family’s Barossa winery.
“My love of viticulture began at a very young age, helping my grandfather on the family property in vineyards planted as far back as 1887,” he says,
“Having a position I love at one of Australia’s leading wine businesses is something I am extremely proud of and hope to continue doing for quite some time.
“Being a caretaker of some of the oldest vineyards in the world is extremely important to me and something that I find very special and unique with regard to the work I do.
“One of the most important goals of my career is to preserve our history and these vineyards so that they can thrive for many more generations.”
Tom says he is driven to constantly learn and adapt, to achieve high-end results
“The environment that I work in is ever changing and presents our industry with new challenges on a regular basis,” he says.
“There is a huge component of technology and research that has made its way into our field and to be able to work with these companies as well as leading scientific organisations is an amazing part of what we do.”
10. PENE KEYNES, 35,
LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY - BIOSECURITY
Livestock SA’s Angaston-based biosecurity extension officer is a recognised leader in her field with extensive industry experience in sheep, cattle and dairy enterprises.
With a background in agricultural science and agribusiness, Pene, herself grew up on a sheep and cattle property in Keyneton.
“I am inspired by producers; they play such an important role in our economy and have to be adaptable and resilient, qualities we can all strive for,” she says.
“(I’m driven to) influence change to make their job easier and support them to achieve their goals – it is what inspires me to get out of bed each morning.”
In terms of work aspirations, Pene is committed to improving livestock biosecurity across SA. “Biosecurity is not seen as the sexy side of agriculture but it underpins everything that we do and there are huge environmental, social and economic ramifications if we don’t get it right,” she says.
Pene believes there is plenty city and country folks can learn from each other.
“I think we would find we share a lot of the same values and by building better relationships built on mutual respect we can start bridging misunderstandings and gaps on both sides,” she says.
11. ANTON MOTTO, 21
CULTURAL HERITAGE RANGER
Based in Glossop, Anton is proud to be playing a role in protecting key heritage sites and helping educate others about their importance.
“Living in the Riverland, there have been plenty of opportunities for us as cultural rangers to speak publicly on the importance of cultural heritage sites and what they mean for the Indigenous people that live here,” he says.
“We have the chance to educate people, young and old, through schools, visual documentation and archives, so I take a lot of pride in knowing I’m doing my bit to keep my culture alive.”
Employed by the River Murray Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (RMMAC) and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation, says he draws inspiration from his elders.
“I personally have grown up around a lot of proud Aboriginal men and women, who have taught me the importance of connection to land and how crucial it is to look after our wildlife and bushlands,” he says.
“This has inspired me to pursue a career within horticulture and implement the things I have learnt throughout my childhood into my work … to upskill other young people to be a part of the important work we do for the bushlands of the Riverland.”
Anton says country life is hard to beat.
“In my opinion in general, country people take a lot of pride in the land they live on and feel lucky to have wide spreads of land and space,” he says
12. JOHN FORSTER, 32
FORESTRY
John says he is proud to be involved in the forestry industry, producing structural timber products for home building.
A part of Mt Gambier-based SE Pine, he says it is satisfying to know profits remain in the state.
“We are in an industry that is dominated by large, well-operated, multinational companies … we take pride in being able to compete with them, and where we can, work with them to build up our locally owned and operated business, he says.
“Our business is locally owned and run by South Australian people.”
John says he aspires to help build the company’s timber and associated products to as wide a geographic area as possible, while promoting the benefits of life in regional SA.
“Rural life is becoming more flexible,” he says.
“(This is) particularly true in Mt Gambier and surrounds as there are so many transport options to access Adelaide and Melbourne.
“We are located smack bang in the middle of these two cities and in the space of two hours you can go from working in the open air at your business to being in the heart of CBD for a business meeting.
“I think the industry, tourism and people in Mt Gambier and surrounds would surprise many who have not thought much about this area.”
13. ANDREW LEHMANN, 32
GRAIN INDUSTRY, POLICY AND ADVOCACY
Having grown up on his family’s mixed property at Gulnare in the Mid North, Andrew is proud of his role in policy and advocacy for the state’s grains industry – and mentoring the next crop of agriculture professionals.
“Knowing that I’m contributing to Australia’s agricultural industry … (to) ensure prosperity and sustainability of South Australian farmers and the communities in which they operate (is important to me),” says the policy director at Grain Producers SA.
“The industry is rapidly evolving and the opportunities are endless.
“My main goal is to continue to enjoy what I do, which is easy in agriculture.”
While now based in the city, Andrew says there are plenty of ways to get involved in agriculture, add value to the industry – and appreciate the state’s productivity.
“Farming is one of the most technologically and scientifically advanced professions there is,” he says.
“SA farmers grow food and fibre in often very harsh climates, however they continue to push the boundaries of food production while also remaining economically and environmentally sustainable.
“Sustainability is on the forefront of all producers’ minds when they head out to farm everyday, as they love what they do and want the generations to come to enjoy it too.”
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