FEB 2024 - Sydney two-day meeting

Welcome to AgEDGE’s new blog… a place where you can find out what happens behind the scenes at AgEDGE.

AgEDGE stands for Education, Development, Growth and Empowerment, precisely what happened in Sydney at our latest AgEDGE board meeting.

Currently, we have three Boards at AgEDGE, and the Boards all met in February 2024 at the excellent meeting rooms at ANZ Bank in Sydney. Each year when we head to Sydney, we have been very fortunate to be able to use one of the major bank’s meeting rooms for our two-day conference, and this year was no exception. Members had the opportunity to meet with bank representatives and also to hear from a wide variety of experts about the latest developments and trends in the agricultural and finance sectors.

Over the two days, members explored some really challenging topics, and each and every board member came away from the meeting full of energy, enthusiasm, and drive to make their agricultural businesses the best they can be. Benchmarking, succession, planning, employment and staff as well as health and investment opportunities were all topics for discussion at the meeting.

The board-style structure of AgEDGE provides a unique and safe place to talk about any issues that may affect your business, your personal life and your family. On our Board, men’s health became a topic of discussion, which then turned into a focus on the overall health of our Board members. Now, we are holding each other to account each week as we strive to better ourselves and make our bodies stronger – which will also help our businesses in the long run! And holding each member of our Board to account for their fitness also gives us a stronger connection and empowers us as individuals.

This meeting in Sydney was extra special. Not only do we all make the special effort to assemble in Sydney from all areas of NSW, Victoria, and Qld, but it was also time to celebrate a significant milestone for the organisation – AgEDGE is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary in 2024!

AgEDGE was formed in 1994 to empower farming families to progress confidently and focus on reaching their individually defined goals. It recognised the need to recognise the difference between general business and the uniqueness of agricultural businesses, which encompass every aspect of farming families’ lives. So, to celebrate the incredibly special not-for-profit organisation that we are a part of, we got ourselves all dolled up and headed to the Museum of Contemporary Art for our 30th Anniversary Gala dinner. 

The incredible view of the Sydney Opera House was a spectacular setting for those of us from the country normally used to grass, crops, and cattle. We celebrated with founding members and facilitators such as Simon Fritch, David and Sandie Walker, and Terry and Barbie Johnson as well as those who have just joined the organisation this year. It was a wonderful evening, a timely reminder of the incredible impact that this organisation has had on so many lives over the past 30 years, and a great opportunity for members to share stories and experiences over great food and wine.
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Let’s raise a glass to the next 30 years of this wonderful organisation and the future members and generations of this country’s farming families, who will flourish under the expert advice and years of experience that each member and facilitator brings to the table!