Annual Conference

The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia (RGA) is excited to have you join us at the 2019 Annual Conference, being held in Corowa, NSW on 1 & 2 August 2019. This year’s theme, ‘The People of the Rice Industry’ will be reflected across the program, educating, extending and developing Australian rice industry stakeholders. The address is 30 Betterment Parade, COROWA NSW 2646

The two-day conference agenda includes presentations by guest speakers and a trade exhibition, followed by a Gala Dinner on Thursday evening. Our AGM and business reporting sessions will be held on Friday morning, with post-conference tours to follow.

The RGA Conference is supported by funding from Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network through the Australian Government’s PHN Program and Empowering Communities program. This funding along with contributions from our sponsors allows us to offer a 50% discount on tickets for the Conference and Gala Dinner very affordable compared to other similar industry conferences.

Earlybird Offer extended!

Register & pay before midnight Monday 8th July 2019, to go into the draw to win a trip to Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand.

$1000 contribution towards flights and 3 nights’ free accommodation are on offer.

The 3 Bedroom Lake View Apartment is self-contained, dual key and beautifully furnished with gas fireplace, LCD TV's, balcony, under floor heating and bath. Enjoy Fantastic views across the magnificent Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkable mountain ranges.
www.oakshotels.com/en/oaks-club-resort/rooms

To register and buy your ticket visit the eventbrite page: RGA 2019 Annual Conference.

1. Click on Tickets, please select the ticket package/s appropriate to yourself (including if you will be attending the post conference tours and AGM)
2. Click Check out
3. Complete the registration information – fill in all the required fields and select the breakout sessions you would like to attend.
4. Complete payment

Conference Registrations close Friday, 19 July 2019

Download the 2019 RGA Conference Registration Brochure here.

To keep costs at a minimum, we have only posted brochures to members who do not have an email address. If you would like to have a printed brochure posted to your address, please contact [email protected] or 02 69530433. Note that due to postage delivery times, this offer is not available after Friday, 12 July 2019.

If you DO NOT want to register online, print the Manual Registration Form on page 10 of the Registration Brochure and return the form to RGA either by EMAIL ([email protected]) or POST (PO Box 706, Leeton, NSW, 2705) by Friday, 19 July.

2019 REGISTRATION PRICES

The RGA Conference is supported by funding from Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network through the Australian Government’s PHN Program and Empowering Communities program.

This funding along with contributions from our sponsors allows us to offer a 50% discount on tickets for the Conference and Gala Dinner very affordable compared to other similar industry conferences.

RGA gratefully acknowledges the financial support from Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network through the Australian Government’s PHN Program and Empowering Communities program.

Due to the funding requirements this discount can only be applied to self-funded community members not those supported by a corporate organisation.

*Community – this is for people who are self-funded farmers or members of the community. i.e. not funded by a corporate organisation.
*Corporate – people who are funded by a corporate organisation to attend the event.

	Conference only	Conference and Dinner	Dinner only	Post conference tours
RGA Financial Member (50% discount)	$50	$100	$75	$50
Non-Member/community member (50% discount)	$75	$150	$100	$50
Corporate	$150	$300	$200	$50

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Register now for the 2019 RGA Annual Conference featuring James O'Loghlin, innovation expert, ABC radio presenter and the host of over 300 episodes of the much loved ABC television series The New Inventors.

The ensuing plenary speaker Rob Gordon, CEO of SunRice will be speaking on The Riverina Rice Imperative.

Lynette Ryan, Head of Sustainability, SunRice will share her unique perspective on ‘Sustainability – Opportunity and Impact’.
With a strong history of positive sustainable practices in the Australian Rice Industry,
Lynette will provide an overview of current local and global trends in sustainability and talk to how these trends are creating
significant opportunities to create positive economic and social returns for growers, the industry and all of our stakeholders.

After lunch Ginny Stevens the Founder of Active Farmers will talk on ‘Servicing Your Health Like You Do Your Car’. Ginny's mission is all about ensuring farming communities are better fuelled and serviced to tackle the stresses of modern farming life, and her presentation will share some insight into this.

Our final Plenary Session Speaker will be Zoe Routh, founder and director of inner compass leadership development,
Zoe will talk about the Eye of the Storm – How teams and Leaders Stay Centred in Times of Change.
In this punchy, straight talking plenary we will focus on how we can hack our biochemistry to serve our change agenda and how to hone three core skills to weather the storm.

This year’s conference introduces a new and exciting format for our participants, with a number of concurrent sessions allowing you to ‘build your own program’.

Please see further information about the Break Out Sessions below.

A Children’s crèche is also available during the conference.

Amongst the wine barrels in the Great Hall of the heritage listed All Saints Estate castle, join us for the RGA Conference Gala Dinner as we celebrate The People of the Rice Industry and network with fellow RGA Members and industry stakeholders.

The evening will host the Inaugural 2019 Rice Industry Awards, which supports the adoption of innovation, research and extension outcomes in the Australian Rice Industry, and awards include the SunRice Grower of the Year, the Rice Extension Highest Yields and the RGA Honorary Councillor.

Other highlights include a presentation from Eliza Brown, CEO of All Saints Estate, who will share her story of how she became CEO, the business today, and the key learnings in her journey, as well as plenty of food, wine and entertainment by Ben Ceccato.

BREAK OUT SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

CHOOSE ONE OPTION FROM SESSION 1 (TIME: 13.50 -14.50)

OPTION 1: WILFRED FINN – ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR & GENERAL COUNSEL, AITHER

Water Markets and Water Demand – Reaching Peak Prices and Demand?

Water market prices have continued to reach record highs during the 2018-2019 water year and with forecasts of very low rainfall / inflows in 2019-2020, water users will need to make some significant decisions over the next few months.
Across the market, these conditions are likely to be exacerbated by the extent and location of new development – leading to recent calls for restrictions on development (even water trade). With the 2019-2020 irrigation season fast approaching, it’s an important time to consider current trends and forecasts for the year ahead.

OPTION 2 - Part 1: BRIAN DUNN – RESEARCH AGRONOMIST, NSW DPI

Practical Grower Options for Maximising Rice Water Productivity

This presentation will discuss practical rice management practices that help maximise the dollars per megalitre return from rice growing.
Topics such as sowing methods, water management, nitrogen and remote sensing will be discussed.
The opportunities available to growers to maintain high yields and quality while reducing water use will be presented.

OPTION 2 - Part 2: BERT COLLARD – TECHNICAL SPECIALIST, NSW DPI

Enhancing the Australian Rice Breeding Program – Implementing New Methods, Tools and Technologies

Rice breeding is a complicated process requiring selection of multiple traits, and a large-scale operation. Rice breeding in Australia is conducted under the ‘Australian Rice Partnership’, which includes the NSW Department of Primary Industries, SunRice and AgriFutures. This has been an ongoing partnership since 2011, and we are currently in the final year of the 2nd phase. In the 3rd phase, we plan to enhance the breeding program to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
We are currently evaluating new DNA marker technologies, breeding informatics systems and the latest breeding practices. The potential benefits of implementing these new systems will be discussed.

OPTION 3: CAROLINE HARLEY – EXECUTIVE MANAGER, STRATEGIC ADVICE SPECIALIST & PRACTICE MANAGER, COMMONWEALTH PRIVATE OFFICE, COMMONWEALTH BANK

The Importance of Succession Planning and Tips to Avoid Common Pitfalls

Commonwealth Private Office Practice Manager for the Commonwealth Bank, Caroline Harley, will discuss the importance of implementing strategies to protect wealth.
This Break Out Session will highlight the considerations for intergenerational wealth transfer and steps to avoid common pitfalls.

CHOOSE ONE OPTION FROM SESSION 2 (TIME: 14.50 -15.50)

OPTION 1: TONY MAHAR – CEO, NATIONAL FARMERS’ FEDERATION
‘Telling Our Story – Turning Australian Agriculture’s Challenges into Opportunities’

Australian agriculture is at a pivotal time in its history. The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) is supported by industry and Government in our vision to see agriculture become Australia's next $100 billion industry by 2030.
It's a goal that will create sustainable prosperity for generations of Australians, but our success can’t be guaranteed. Research carried out by the NFF shows the Australian public feels disconnected from food and fibre production. Changing lifestyles and societies have loosened the traditional links once enjoyed between the urban and rural population. A lack of awareness and appreciation outside rural areas of what modern farming entails has allowed misunderstandings and divisions to arise.
If left unchecked, these divisions threaten to frustrate and constrain our farmers’ ability to continue to do what they do. We know our proud sector can overcome these challenges but to do so, we need to engage the community and build shared values around transparency and authenticity. and grow the trust and recognition of agriculture in Australia. Australian agriculture has a proud story to tell and we need to tell it now.

OPTION 2: DAVID KELDIE – GENERAL MANAGER, GLOBAL CONSUMER MARKETS, SUNRICE AND ANDREW JEFFREY – HEAD OF MARKETING AND INSIGHTS, SUNRICE

‘SunWhite: The Power Rice Brand of the Middle East’

SunRice will provide an insight into the uniqueness of its Middle Eastern Markets within its global business, including marketing in the Middle East; how and why it’s different to other markets; and the importance of Reiziq.
This session will also outline SunRice’s history in the Middle East, its brands and SunWhite’s journey to becoming one of the most renowned and respected brands in the ME.

OPTION 3: LEADERSHIP PANEL SESSION

Leading Agriculture into the Future – What it Takes

Join leadership expert, Zoe Routh, and past participants of RGA developed and funded leadership programs to discuss what it takes to be a leader in agriculture.
The group will touch on its recent leadership programs, providing an insight into those experiences and lessons learned about leading agriculture into the future.
The participants will share their perspectives on diversity and navigating different points of view, how to use different decision making models, and dealing with different personalities.

POST-CONFERENCE TOUR DESCRIPTIONS

Hume Dam Tour (hosted by WaterNSW)

Enjoy a guided, behind the scenes tour of the Hume Dam, hosted by WaterNSW. In this special tour, attendees will be given an insight into the main operating storage of the River Murray system, including a tour of the spillway, power station and the outlet works. The local guides will share their wealth of knowledge on how the dam plays a critical role in capturing winter and spring rainfall from the Australian Alps and releasing it to regulate the flow of the River Murray.

As well as irrigation, the Hume Dam supplies stock and household needs for towns and landholders along the Murray River across three states and is used for flood mitigation and hydro-electricity. The tour includes return transport from the Corowa RSL, and a packed lunch.

Time:
11:00am – Bus will depart from the Corowa RSL and travel to the Hume Dam
12:00pm – Tour of the Hume Dam Wall
2:00pm – Bus will depart the Hume Dam Wall and travel back to the Corowa RSL

Price: $50.00

Tour and lunch at the Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Factory (hosted by Dean Druce)

In 2010, father and son, Neil and Dean Druce purchased a 1920’s flour mill in Corowa, NSW, for only $1 - on the premise that it would be restored to its former glory. The idea of buying the old flour mill in Corowa stemmed from the Druce’s family business, The Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory - which is also a restored flour mill - and after years of hard toil and a great eye for detail, the building now stands not only as a beautiful landmark but a restaurant, function venue and now distillery.

After an eight-year journey, The Corowa Distilling Co. released its first whisky last year. In this tour of the Corowa Distilling Co, you will hear about how the family transformed a rundown flour mill into a tourist location that attracts thousands of visitors each year. You will also learn about the whisky making process, including the sourcing of barley from local growers. The tour is inclusive of lunch at “The Mill”, with a selection of the restaurants favourite menu items. All delegates to make their own way to the venue.

Time:
11:00am – Delegates to make their own way to the Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Factory
11:15am – Tour of the Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Factory to begin
12:15pm – Delegates to be seated for lunch

Price: $50.00

2019 RGA ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPONSORS

The Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia gratefully acknowledges the financial support from the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network through the Australian Government’s PHN Program and Empowering Communities program.