07/10/2026
Bookings are now open for the Connecting Ag on the Border Dinner.
How do regional voices cut through, and what makes decision makers listen?
Join us at La Maison, Wodonga on Thursday 12 November for an evening bringing together farmers, farming families, agricultural businesses and people who support our communities across North East Victoria and Southern NSW.
Our guest speaker, Andrew Metcalfe AO, one of Australia’s leading Agricultural influencers. Andrew is the current chair of the Gardiner Foundation, Dolly’s Dream, and Alannah & Madeline Foundation, he is a skilled advocate, negotiator and inspirational leader and really understands people and regional communities. Across 12 years as a Commonwealth departmental secretary, Andrew headed three departments, including Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, worked directly with 15 portfolio ministers and also served as Australia’s Director of Biosecurity.
That experience gives Andrew a rare perspective on how decisions are actually made, what gets the attention of government, why some regional priorities gain traction and others struggle to be heard - and what communities can do to strengthen their influence.
For anyone involved in agriculture, regional business, leadership or advocacy, this is an opportunity to hear from someone who has spent decades inside the rooms where major decisions are made - and to ask what that means for regional communities like ours.
The evening will be hosted by Cathy McGowan AO and, just as importantly, will provide an opportunity to meet and connect with others from across our cross-border agricultural community.
Thursday 12 November 2026
6:00 pm
La Maison, Wodonga
$45 per person
Come for the conversation. Stay for dinner. Leave with new connections and a clearer understanding of how regional voices can be heard.
Bookings are essential:
https://events.humanitix.com/connecting-ag-on-the-border
