Andrew Murphy, a 33-year-old third-generation dairy farmer from Kyabram, has been working full-time on his family’s 700-cow farm since finishing VCE in 2008.

Since entering a share farming arrangement with his parents in 2012, Andrew has progressively assumed greater responsibility for decision-making, becoming a key driver of expansion and innovation over the past eight years.

He has been instrumental in driving innovation on his farm in terms of irrigation and also diversifying their agricultural output, like growing cereal crops. These types of farm management decisions are what led Andrew to undertake the Fairley Leadership Program.

The program immerses participants from sectors and locations across the Goulburn Murray region, balancing the exploration of leadership and community building. This unique and immersive program enables participants to realise their potential and demonstrate community leadership in action.

“My people skills have improved and understanding how people think, people I wouldn’t normally interact with.” His interactions with people from various backgrounds have enriched his perspective, opening up numerous opportunities,” Andrew said.

Andrew was sponsored by Gardiner Foundation to take part in the program, which continually develops a pool of emerging community leaders who are supported to engage in programs and initiatives supporting the region.

“While I haven’t had immediate impacts from the program, it has opened up opportunities in terms of expanding my network and I can see that it will continue to payout in the next couple of years.”

In fact, Andrew’s network has expanded significantly, he regularly communities with his Fairley group through WhatsApp. He said the biggest challenge to the program was taking time off and away from his farm.

“It’s hard to take time off – 22 days all up, a big commitment to take time off the farm, especially being self-employed. I created a support system for the time off and it is always a balance when it comes to balancing farm duties with personal development.”

A notable experience was his trip to Canberra where he gained insights into the workings of Parliament. Andrew and his fellow program participants observed parliament during the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.

“Seeing how Parliament works and listening to the politicians speak during the Yes/No debate was eye-opening. Hearing different perspectives and arguments broadened his understanding of political processes and community issues.”

After graduating from the program, Andrew was invited to back to speak to the 2024 cohort and share his experiences with those just staring their journey.

“One of the things I discussed was the dairy industry’s role in the community and the importance of leadership.”

“I found that people were surprised by how important dairy is to the community and there is sometimes a disconnect between the community and agriculture in general. It is a huge economic driving force for dairy communities and it’s important to educate people about the economic impact on the community.”

Looking ahead, Andrew is excited about the opportunities his experiences have opened. His dedication to farming and community engagement continues to drive his vision for the future.

To learn more or apply for the 2025 Fairley Leadership Program, visit: https://www.goulburnmurraycommunityleadership.com.au/fairley-leadership-program