Our Wheatbelt community has a robust and enduring connection with this diverse and beautiful region.
The community’s sense of place and belonging, and its underlying strength of character and resolve, are valuable assets for overcoming the region’s current challenges.
At the 2016 Wheatbelt NRM Annual General Meeting, we present to you several innovative opportunities that have developed amidst these challenges. Who is moving beyond innovation to action? What might a smart Wheatbelt look like in the future?
Speakers
Prof Ray Wills – Future Smart Strategies
Ray’s wide-ranging career as researcher, academic, planner, consultant, adviser, manager, executive, and futurist, brings diverse experience and an exceptional understanding of business, commerce and industry, the environment, policy and government, and sustainability. Since 2011, Ray has been internationally recognised as one of the Top 100 Global Leaders in Sustainability.
Ben Cole – Wide Open Agriculture
Ben is Managing Director of Wide Open Agriculture. His vision is that in 20 years’ time, the Wheatbelt towns are full of shops, the landscape is revegetated and people can see the land has more trees and wildlife. Wide Open Agriculture empowers Wheatbelt farmers to transition towards regenerative farming practices, which can deliver both the selection and variety, that local and export markets are demanding.
Ray Wilson – Carbon Neutral
Ray joined Carbon Neutral as CEO in 2010. He has a diverse background in the agricultural and agribusiness sectors. Ray sees the emerging low carbon market providing significant opportunities for rural communities to generate economic, environmental and community benefits by re-vegetating unproductive farmland to create reforestation carbon credits.
Mark Grogan – Community Pod
Mark is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Community Pod, a social enterprise that sells quality coffee capsules/pods and fresh beans to the consumer at home or work. Community Pod is committed to tackling the really big problems in innovative ways — solving the waste problem wherever they can. They have also teamed with Life Cykel to ensure their coffee grounds are reused in mushroom farms.
Karla Hooper – Wheatbelt NRM Board
Karla is the recipient of the 2016 Wheatbelt NRM Youth Board Scholarship and is the driving force behind the Toodyay Farmers Market, Northam Farmers Market and recent community garden developments. Karla’s background is in the oil and gas industry, sustainability and she is passionate about connecting communities in the Wheatbelt.
WHEN: Thursday 27th October
TIME: 10am - 1pm
WHERE: Bridgeley Community Centre, 91/93 Wellington St, Northam
RSVP: Please use the website below, or contact Tyanna Jankauskas on 9670 3100, or email info@wheatbeltnrm.org.au
This is a FREE event with morning tea and lunch provided. RSVP is essential.