Since his return he has worked his way onto the main issues around the agriculture industry including irrigation, drought and water allocation.
He has also joined 13 other participants for the Introduction to the Rice Industry.
Hosted by Rice Extension in Deniliquin over four days, tier one of the course is part of the Rice Growers’ Association Rice Industry Leadership Program.
Mr Doyle was joined by fellow Southern Riverina participants including Annabel Arnold (Berrigan), Stephen Ball (Mayrung), Alison Gregory (SunRice employee, originally from Jerilderie), Alexander Schultz (Tocumwal) and Sam Sleigh (Jerilderie).
Activities included learning about governance, corporate structure, advocacy, networking and communication.
Keeping with a local theme to the region, guest facilitators included Conargo’s Perin Davey and Finley’s Jane Harris.
Mr Doyle said the course provided a good variety of speakers and panels.
‘‘There was a good range of leaders to apply the theory, then we could ask them some questions which I found beneficial.
‘‘I worked at the NAB bank in Melbourne for five years before coming home on the farm so I’ve done similar things, but this has been better.
‘‘Jane (Harris) has been able to explain the theory and how to apply it.
‘‘I d haven’t been back long so I’m trying to get myself out there to these community events, particularly the irrigation front on the back of a zero water allocation year.
‘‘It’s good to see different perspectives on that issue and learn a bit more because it would be good to go down the advocacy path.’’
Mr Doyle recently took up the position of Finley football coach for the 2019 Murray League season.
He said he was able to take away aspects of the Introduction to the Rice Industry course and apply it to his coaching.
‘‘We’ve done quite a bit on leadership and that’s what it’s all about.
‘‘I guess I’m also looking through the lens of work on the farm and dealing with people,’’ Mr Doyle said.
Rice Growers’ Association leadership coordinator Ainsley Massina said the successful program was aided by the passion of the participants.
‘‘They’re a great group of young, enthusiastic leaders who are keen to learn. It’s fantastic to see the passion and the desire to learn.
‘‘We have an impressive group of participants from right across the region with diversity in gender and skill set.
‘‘It’s an interactive program, participants are pushed out of their comfort zone at times,’’ Ms Massina said.
One popular activity the attendees enjoyed was personality profiling.
‘‘Personality profiling gives you an opportunity to look at yourself, and to think about how you interact with others,’’ Ms Massina said.
‘‘Not only can participants apply what they’ve learned to everyday life, but this program is also about setting them up so they can contribute in the community and the agriculture sector,’’ she added.
Four participants will be selected from stage one of the program to attend a two day workshop in Canberra, to meet with leaders in organisations such as Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, the National Farmers’ Federation, the National Irrigators’ Council and Australian Government.
They will further develop networking and advocating skills learned in the Introduction to the Rice Industry course.
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