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Drone photographer and videographer Hayley Wolski recently placed second in the Unipak “outstanding achievers” competition.
Picture: JARROD HANCOCK
Focussing on the future Drone photographer and videographer Hayley Wolski is passionate about agriculture. From Chinchilla in the Western Downs, Hayley, 29, was raised on a mixed farm of cattle, cotton, grain and hay cropping. “There was always something to do,” said Hayley, who hopes to one day continue the family farming tradition. “I’ve seen the highs and many lows,” she said. “But I am always looking forward to the future and have a vision for sustainable agriculture and technology innovation within the industry.” Hayley recently placed second in the Unipak “outstanding achievers” competition, which focused on sharing the personal stories of young people and women working in agriculture. She was recognised for her work in the agricultural industry as a drone photographer and videographer. “Drones have been a hobby of mine for some years now and agriculture photography is my favourite,” Hayley said. “Drones have a large future in the agricultural industry so I’m always watching and learning about new technology being released for drones.” After finishing school in 2010, Hayley worked in administration with a local coal seam gas company. “It is an industry with many different views
Hayley Wolski has recently bought her first lot of Angus cattle, four cows and three calves, with one more on the way. within the community, some good, some bad, some negligent to the fact it exists,” she said. Hayley’s family farm is irrigated, with the
water used drawn from the river that relies on coal seam gas separation for its water. “The same company I work for has a
scheme for irrigators along the pipeline to supplement their water, using leftover water from our processes. “It has been very valuable to us in times of drought.” Now in her 11th year with the company, Hayley has progressed to field operations, which complements her agricultural background. “In field operations, I am always out visiting people’s farms to check pipelines, among other things,” she said. “I have grown up with many of these farmers and, for them, it’s sometimes comforting to see a friendly face. “I’m always looking at people’s crops and cattle and letting them know if they have a sick animal or if there’s a busted trough or pipe. “I’m big on animal welfare!” Hayley has recently bought her first lot of Angus cattle, four cows and three calves, with one more on the way. “It’s something that will grow over time, I guess,” she said. “You have to start somewhere! “But, right now cotton picking and hay season is upon us and about to start so, for the next little while, it will be ‘enjoy the early nights at home because it’s about to get busy’!” Hayley said she believed there was a strong place for women in agriculture. “My advice to any women in this sector would be, you choose who you want to be, never give up and keep trying,” she said.
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By Fiona Gowers
July 2022 TODAY 17
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Changing the face of ag Australian women are taking the reins and approaching the national agricultural industry in a way we’ve never seen before. So much so, that the classic image of the male Australian farmer may soon be replaced by one of a young, driven, educated woman who is harnessing innovation to increase profitability and diversity in agriculture. Unipak, Australia’s leading supplier of professional products for the crop packaging sector and the meat processing industry, proudly celebrates women in agriculture. The company recently ran an “outstanding achievers” competition, focusing on sharing the personal stories of young people and women working in agriculture. Managing director of Unipak, Anton Reynolds said the competition was a chance to focus on the next generation of farmers and challenge traditional gender perceptions within the agricultural industry. “It started out as a search for outstanding achievers in agriculture and crop packaging,” he said. “We initially branched it into two categories we wanted to hear from; Women in Agriculture and Young Farmers. “Interestingly the category for ‘young farmers’ yielded nothing back to us – this was really sad as we really want to hear from the next generation. “However, we ended up uncovering an amazing and diverse group of women that are breaking through what many see as a traditionally male-dominated area.” Unipak’s Outstanding Achiever winner, Kimberly Pellosis has taken the agricultural industry by storm. The 29-year-old Geelong-based precision agronomist strives to play an active role in promoting the primary industry sector, including highlighting growers that champion best practice fodder conservation and crop packaging. Her achievements include being a director for the Ag Institute of Australia, an Australian ambassador for Thought For Food, a Youth Advisory group member for Melbourne Royal, and a National Students and Early Careers representative for the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand. “Agriculture is a great industry to be a part of and I’m lucky to work with progressive growers and colleagues who champion leaders in the sector. “As a woman in ag, I’ve been in situations where I’m often the odd one out, especially starting fresh out of university, but you learn to be resilient and be comfortable with being uncomfortable and never take things too personally. “I’m excited about what the future looks like for the next generation. Sure you may need to prove yourself a bit harder, especially earlier in your career. But once you find your footing and work for great
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18 TODAY July 2022
Unipak’s Outstanding Achiever winner is Kimberly Pellosis, a Geelong-based precision agronomist. organisations like Unipak your opportunities are truly limitless!” Dominique Clapham is the managing director of her family’s Gundowring, Victoria, beef farm business. She said women had been teaching each other farming skills for generations. “I think women have a great future in agriculture if they set their minds to it. Nothing is too hard. My mother-in-law taught me my calf rearing skills, plus she also taught me how to drive a tractor, and her mother-in-law did the same for her.” Mr Reynolds said welcoming more women into the industry had become a focus for the company, encouraging women looking for agricultural work to apply. “We are seeking salespeople in Victoria and Queensland to cover fodder conservation regions, and we’d really welcome the opportunity to help balance up the ‘gender scale’ in our industry. If there are any aspiring women out there with a sound knowledge of fodder conservation or crop packaging that are great communicators, we’d love to hear from you”. Applicants interested are encouraged to head to unipak.com.au/careers for further information.
Dominique Clapham, who is the managing director of her family’s Gundowring, Victoria, beef farm business, was recognised through Unipak’s Outstanding Achiever awards.
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Eden Smith, Gabby Parker and Tracie Silmer share with the Eidsvold State School children.
Coalstoun Lakes students with Blue Gum Farm presenters Eden, Gabby and Tracie.
Touring with the kids By Jessica McGrath
Blue Gum Farm TV presenters Gabby Parker, Tracie Silmer, Cilla Pershouse and Eden Smith with Cilla’s three children Sidney, Greta and Annie. Pictures: CONTRIBUTED It was rewarding for Cilla to know that even though she was a mum with a new baby, she was still able to keep the show’s program on the road. However, taking a step back from being front and centre of her own show was a whole new learning curve for Cilla. “Anyone with little kids can relate… it’s something we all have to juggle and find a new flow with three kids under four [now],” she said. “It’s a lot of hard work, lots of extra logistics.” Cilla’s older two children, Greta and Annie,
are well versed in the Blue Gum Farm songs and have been known to join their mum on stage at times. “It’s a children’s show for kids, with kids [on stage],” she said. Being out on the road touring and performing a children’s show has been a unique experience and education for the Pershouse children. “It’s a safe space – it’s very normal for them,” she said. “They really enjoy getting to meet people, it’s all pretty special.”
Cilla has found that her choice to be a working mother has been “really welcomed”. “I’m really conscious of bringing my kids into my work space, but the way the program is based and with the type of audiences, it’s almost the most popular thing,” she said. “All of the other mums understand and rejoice in my choices - kids are part of your life… the more your kids are involved, the better.” When they are not touring, the Pershouse family live on their farming property at Ban Ban Springs, which serves as the inspiration and film set for the recorded children’s television show Blue Gum Farm TV.
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“If I can’t do it without my kids, I can’t do it.” This is Blue Gum Farm TV director Cilla Pershouse’s motto, whose latest tour was very different. The North Burnett mother of three children, all under four-years of age, took on a backstage role for the children’s show’s recent two-week tour of the North Burnett, Gladstone, Tambo and Bundaberg regions. Blue Gum Farm, which champions ‘life in the bush’, hosted 12 shows over two weeks last month around the North Burnett, Gladstone, Tambo and Bundaberg regions. The show teaches farm kids to be proud of living rurally. The tour finished up on 30 May. The Ban Ban Springs farmer and theatre extraordinaire made sure some of the smaller rural schools and towns featured on the 2022 tour schedule. “I wanted to visit tiny schools that don’t get visited,” she said. “Bringing theatre to children who don’t get to see theatre is a real focus of mine.” Cilla is normally front and centre-stage of her shows, but as her third child Sidney was only 12-weeks-old, she chose to not have an onstage role. “I’m notoriously impatient getting back onto the road,” she said. “This time, now with my third baby, it was quite different. “This time we only did parts [of the tour].” Her Blue Gum Farm presenters Gabby Parker, Tracie Silmer and Eden Smith were “so capable” and performed on stage while Cilla cheered on from behind the scenes. Cilla said they allowed the “show to go on”. “The cast that I engaged to present the show did an amazing job,” Cilla said. “It was really beautiful and well received.”
July 2022 TODAY 19
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Customer buys business In the past, jewellery was most often bought for a special occasion or to celebrate a milestone. Now jewellery purchases, like a new pair of beautiful earrings, are a more regular occurrence. New business owner, Elisha Ham from Dalby, loves that more women are treating themselves to something nice. Mrs Ham recently bought Entire Me, an online earring business offering affordable and on-trend pieces. With a great love of jewellery - and earrings specifically - Mrs Ham jumped at the opportunity to buy a business selling beautiful things. “I’m on the rollercoaster ride of a new business owner, but enjoying everything there is to learn,“ she said. And, with ladies looking for fashionable, unique designs that are affordable, the Entire Me brand is set to grow. One of the unique services Entire Me offers is an outfit matching service. Customers are invited to send through photos of their outfit and Entire Me will match it with the perfect earrings. Many Dalby ladies used this service for the recent picnic races. “I’ll often hear customers say, ’I’ve been searching everywhere and can’t find anything to match’,“ Mrs Ham said. “It’s so satisfying to complete an outfit for a customer.” Thanks to the Business Navigator eCommerce Peer Group, Mrs Ham is fast-tracking her Shopify talents and learning the necessary skills to operate an eCommerce business. Business Navigator marketing advisor Ailsa Cass is supporting Mrs Ham and her new business on this journey. “Elisha has her customers at the forefront of her mind when it comes to her online marketing strategy and we are working to ensure the customer’s journey to conversion is simple and easy,” Mrs Cass said. Business Navigator Western Downs is supported by Shell’s QGC business and delivered by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise. The social investment program contributes to a strong and diverse economy within the Western Downs. Check out Entire Me’s earring collections on its website: www.entireme.com.au
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Elisha Ham of Entire Me is pictured in the back row, far right.
20 TODAY July 2022