NEWS
Empowering change
When Riana Cochrane fell into a role in the horticulture industry, she didn’t know it would lead to a “transformation” within herself.
and I’ve come into it, but I feel like I’m
– having received a Hort Innovation
a quick learner and I take a lot in so
scholarship for the Leading Edge
it’s really helped me to be where I am
program through Women & Leadership
today,” Riana said.
Australia (WLA).
As she became more familiar with
The course is part of a five-year
the industry and the job, Sylina owner
joint funding arrangement between
Pat Cufari structured her role around
WLA and Hort Innovation designed
what she was good at – and Riana
specifically to offer women in
began to take more leadership and
the sector access to leadership
responsibility.
development programs.
producer Sylina was looking for
“I got the feeling that I was obviously
“It sparked my interest because it
a bookkeeper.
good at what I was doing, so it was
was aimed at building up women’s
Soon after taking on the role, Riana
really exciting and a confidence boost,”
leadership skills,” Riana said.
She had studied a Certificate IV in Accounting at Sunraysia Institute of TAFE, and Cardross-based table grape
discovered that it was actually the
she said.
horticultural aspect of the job that
Almost three years on, and the
to encourage women to step up and
agricultural administration coordinator
have the ability and confidence and
at Sylina is challenging herself further
knowledge to step up into those roles.
“excited” her. “I never had much to do with farming
8 VINE MAGAZINE
“It’s really awesome that WLA is trying
