Preparations for Australia Day celebrations across Gunnedah Shire are underway, with president of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Farmers’ Federation and Liverpool Plains local Fiona Simson announced as Gunnedah Shire’s official ambassador.
A farmer herself, Fiona Simson grew up on a property near Armidale and now resides on the Liverpool Plains. She has created opportunities for more women and young people to become involved in industry, and was instrumental in the launch of the NFF’s first Diversity in Ag Leadership Program in 2018.
Elected in 2016 as the first female President of ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Farmers Federation in its 40-year history, she is now leading industry through an exciting period of change and is passionate about the growth and sustainability of rural and regional Australia and agriculture’s role in its future.
As well as a number of government advisory committees, Mrs Simson also chairs the recently established Future Food Systems CRC, is a Commissioner and Chair of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, sits as a Director on the Boards of Australian Made Australian Grown, and NRMA (NSW), and is Patron of ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Rural Press Club and Gunnedah Gatepost Community Support Centre.
Gunnedah Shire Council Director of Corporate and Community Services Colin Formann said he was delighted Mrs Simson would be joining celebrations and he encouraged the community to come together and celebrate what it means to be Australian.
“I’m really excited to have Fiona Simson as our Australia Day Ambassador. She has been an impressive advocate for the agricultural industry and in particular women in agriculture, and I am looking forward to meeting her and hearing her story at the awards dinner,” Mr Formann said.
“It’s fantastic to have an ambassador with a strong connection to our local region, who is passionate about rural people and issues and is now helping inspire the next generation of industry leaders.”
Fiona Simson will be sharing her story as the guest of honour at the Australia Day Awards Dinner on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. The dinner will be held at the historic Gunnedah Town Hall and the whole community is invited to attend.
Gunnedah’s Australia Day nominations close at 5pm on Friday, January 14, 2022.
