In this episode of Leadership is Language the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Monique White sits down with Young Farming Champion Dione Howard to discuss how best to share the water story.
Key Messages
- Do your research before engaging, and then listen to your audience
- Identify common ground and explain why there may be differences
- Connect with hearts and minds, not just facts
Pull Quote
“We have to try and identify our common ground, but also explain why there’s difference, and, particularly for the Murray-Darling Basin authority, that’s often about the greater good of the whole basin, and at times that means some areas of the community will have negative impacts. We need to acknowledge that.”
About Monique
Monique White is an agricultural scientist and consultant who has specialised in the implementation of change and environmental management and sustainability programs on farm, within industry and in the community. Monique works with people who want to make a profitable income from the land while also leaving it in a better condition for future generations. Monique is currently an assistant director in the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s engagement team based in Murray Bridge in South Australia.
Prior to MBDA Monique worked with the South Australian dairy industry as a NRM (natural resource management) technical specialist and was the project manager for Dairy Australia’s Smarter Irrigation for Profit program.
Connect with Monique: LinkedIn and Twitter
About Dione
Dione is a District Veterinarian with Riverina Local Land Services based in Wagga Wagga, NSW. She has been an active member of the Youth Voices Leadership Team since its inception in 2018; holding the position of Mentor Leader and Innovation Leader. In 2020 she took the step in her leadership journey on the Executive of YVLT as Vice Chair.
Dione’s seat on the YVLT Executive and the Picture You in Agriculture Board is enhanced by her completion of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course, which she undertook in conjunction with her role as Wool Producer’s Youth Ambassador in 2019.
Connect with Dione: LinkedIn and Twitter
Want to know more?
Read more about how the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is working towards healthy waterways here: