Graduate Projects

Generation Next – Mossman: 2006

Project:
Establish a local Generation Next Group in Mossman

Project Team:
Gerard Puglisi, Mossman Agricultural Services, Gerard Padovan,  Harvester, Jason Sheperdson, Harvester.

Aim:
Provide a forum for young people to come together to access information, support and skills.

Background:
Young people in the Sugar Industry in the Mossman area experienced isolation until they attended the Australian Sugar Industry’s Generation Next Forum.  This Forum gave them an insight into what is possible and more particularly into the reality that many young people throughout the industry also experience a sense of isolation.

Approach:
The three young people attending the Forum made a commitment while there to establish a group to ensure all young people in the industry had a forum to share their ideas, access information, develop skills and gain support.

The group approached industry leaders and organisations to share their idea and gain their support. (They dressed in business dress to impress on those they met that they were serious about both their commitment to the industry and their goal of establishing a group). The organisations included; the Mossman Board, Canegrowers District Council and Mossman Agricultural Services

The response was positive and a group was established.

Challenges:
To believe in themselves and their idea in order to confidently sell it to industry leaders and potential members.

Seek sponsorship and form a partnership with the corporate sector.

Outcomes:
Mossman Generation Next Group with 18 members representing the production, milling and harvesting sectors.

Four informal gatherings have been held with an open invitation to all young people in the area.

The group has been formalised with a local bank providing start up funding.  The group meets the first Tuesday of the month.

A workshop has been conducted on farm family succession planning strategies with an accountant, financial planner, insurance broker, solicitor and succession planning advisor.

Four group members are participating in the Impact on Sugar Industry Training Program.

Funding has been accessed from SRDC to undertake a field trip to other regions involved in the industry.