Two women who are leaders in the agricultural industry have recently been appointed as board members of an Australian charity dedicated to supporting rural communities.
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Well-known beef industry leader Erica Halliday of Nevis Angus, Walcha, and Farm Table managing director and founder Airlie Landale from Deniliquin have been appointed to the board.
Born and raised on a mixed farming property, Ms Landale is founded the national online knowledge sharing platform a few years ago.
The platform connects producers with the latest research, opportunities and resources to help them navigate the complexities of farming.
Ms Landale said she "honoured and humbled" to be appointed to the Rural Aid board and to join the high calibre existing board members and CEO.
"I'm at the start of what will be a really long career in agriculture and I'm based in a small rural community as well... so I'm committed to seeing rural communities thrive and survive going forward," she said.
Ms Landale hopes to bring a proactive approach to building stronger regions and communities as a board member and is confident the networks she's achieved with The Farm Table will allow her to continue that.
"Going forward Rural Aid is looking at a more proactive approach to building stronger regions and communities, they do such an incredible job in terms of supporting farming and rural communities during and after natural disasters, droughts and fires, " she said.
"But also looking at how Rural Aid can... enable communities to grow and prosper outside of natural disasters."
Like many people, Ms Landale said she associated Rural Aid with hay, but after getting to know the organisation further, realised that they are so much more than that.
"I love their ethos, they're the organisation that's there when everyone else packs up and goes, so I think they've got a beautiful network and brand to build on," she explained.
Mrs Halliday started as a jillaroo and stud muster and has an extended skillset as a business facilitator, life coach and a sought-after guest speaker.
As a fourth-generation cattle producer, she understands the complexities and challenges of agriculture.
After studying agricultural economics, beef production and marketing, Mrs Halliday worked holistically with farm families to balance economics and finance with the land, animals and the people within.
Since 2006 and in partnership with her husband, she has been running Ben Nevis Angus in Walcha NSW, managing genetics and marketing.
Mrs Halliday is Vice-President on the Board of Directors of Angus Australia and has been a Director of the Australian Beef Industry Foundation, Australian Beef Association and Chairman of the NSW State Committee and New England Angus Breeders.
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She and her husband Stu won the prestigious Stewarts Award in recognition of their service to Angus Youth.
Chairman Alex Hutton said the appointments further strengthened Rural Aid's already strong connections with rural and regional Australia.