 alt Cathy McGowan AO is a rural consultant, farmer and academic. Her experience includes researching improved services for rural communities, such as child care and palliative care and the development and delivery of leadership and change management programs for rural industries.
“Bloom where you are planted’ was a saying Cathy heard often in her years growing up on a farm in North east Victoria. Her parents knew the value of persistence, patience and acceptance of forces outside of one’s control.
It is a motto Cathy has made her own. With this desire for personal growth and fullfilment, she now works to help others achieve their potential – regardless of (and sometimes despite) circumstances and background.
Cathy has a vision for rural Australia where everyone is able to ‘bloom where they are planted’; a vibrant and caring rural Australia alive with opportunities. To this end she is the managing director of a consulting company which specialises in building capacity in individuals and communities in rural Australia.
A recent focus has been working with the dairy and timber industries to develop national programs which encourage and support leadership. She is also interested in the potential of agri politics to improve the opportunities for rural communities. Cathy is currently on the Rural Research and Development Council designing a long term investment framework for national R&D. Past governance experience includes: member of the government advisory committee on the World Trade Organisation, chair of the Regional Women’s Advisory Council offering policy advice to the Deputy Prime Minister and his department, and president of the national organisation, Australian Women in Agriculture.
 Cathy in Ireland Cathy has a Masters of Applied Science in Agriculture and Rural Development, a Bachelor of Arts Degree and Diploma of Education. She is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and a Churchill Fellow. In 2001 her work with the dairy industry won an international award for excellence in extension. Her work which rural communities was recognized in 2004 and she was made an Officer in the Order of Australia.
**************
Cathy McGowan AO has a Masters degree in Applied Science in Agriculture and Rural Development. She has been working in the area of women in agriculture for over 20 years and regularly provides policy advice. In 2000 her work with the dairy industry was acknowledged with the Australasia Pacific Extension Network award for “Excellent in Extension”. She is the past President of the national organisation, Australian Women in Agriculture. As well as her work in Australia, she is currently working with farming women in PNG and Ireland.
**************
Looking for a motivational speaker? Inspirational, entertaining, visionary and practical, are some of the words used to describe Cathy’s presentations.
Need a facilitator: Cathy holds three essential keys to effective facilitation: She listens. She is intuitive. She is highly skilled. She has over 30 years in facilitation and running workshops.
Leadership workshops can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any community organization.
|