It’s always a proud moment standing at the end of the Georgina Pastoral Future NTCA Program and reflecting on how far the cohort has come over the year.

As co-facilitators, Ceny Ramm and I have the privilege of working closely with participants throughout the program, and the 2025 group was no exception. Curious, engaged and willing to lean into the challenge from day one.

Delivered in partnership with Georgina Pastoral Company, the program continues to focus on building the leadership capability our industry needs, not just now, but into the future.

Over the course of the year, the cohort was exposed to all parts of the industry, from producers and corporate operations to government, supply chain and policy. But more importantly, they were challenged to think beyond their own businesses and consider their role in shaping the broader direction of the Northern Territory cattle industry.

That’s where the real value of this program sits.

The conversations aren’t always easy. We ask participants to step outside their comfort zone, to engage with policy and advocacy, and to think critically about the pressures and opportunities facing the north. What we see in return is growth. Growth not just in knowledge, but in confidence.

By the time we reach graduation, that shift is always clear.

This year’s graduation, held at Government House and hosted by Hi Honour, the Administrator, was a fitting way to recognise the effort the cohort has put in, not just across the final week, but over the entire program. It’s also an important moment to acknowledge the people who back the program in.

Georgina Pastoral Company’s continued investment in Future NTCA, now in its seventh year as principal partner, plays a critical role in ensuring programs like this exist. The support of our other program sponsors – CPC, AAM and YLEN, our industry partners, mentors and contributors throughout the year is what brings the program to life.

But ultimately, it comes back to the participants.

The 2025 cohort demonstrated exactly what we hope to see; initiative, resilience and a willingness to step forward. They asked the hard questions, engaged in the conversations that matter, and built connections that will stay with them well beyond the program. If you were at conference, we hope you ran into them at some point – we’re sure even just a short conversation would have shown you why we are so proud. 

Graduation isn’t the finish line – it’s the starting point.

We’re already looking forward to seeing this group step into roles across branches, committees and industry forums, and to watching the impact they’ll have across the Territory.

Congratulations to our 2025 Georgina Pastoral Future NTCA graduates:

Maddison Chinn
Matilda Paesler
Bronte Tremlett
Piper Burnett
Callum McDougall
Hugh Finlay