Hub's impact on full display in HAC tour

27 March 2025

Covering more than 600 kilometres in three days, the Hubs Advisory Committee (HAC) tour of the Southern NSW region was a resounding success in showcasing the breadth of the Hub’s work to one of our most important stakeholders and supporters, the Australian Government.

Between 17–19 March, the Hub team hosted eight guests from HAC and the Future Drought Fund (FDF). The HAC is an independent committee that oversees all eight of the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs.

HAC Chair, Brent Finlay, and Committee Member Julia Spicer OAM were joined by six FDF team members who work in specific programs, reporting, management, communications and more.

Hub Director Cindy Cassidy said the tour aimed to show how the Hub is helping farmers and communities prepare for drought by working with partners and ensuring access to new resources, tools and practices. She believes it achieved that and more.

“This was an important opportunity to show how we are using FDF funding on the ground and to hear from the farmers and communities we are working with to improve their drought resilience.”

The Hub model focuses on generating insights and understanding of drought impacts. Our activities encourage capacity and skills building amongst people and community-facing organisations. We’re committed to connecting them with resources to boost drought resilience.

We also clearly articulated the role of our partner organisations and other stakeholders and their commitment to the evolution of agriculture in the Southern region of NSW. Over the three-day tour, I’m confident we gave our guests a very good snapshot of all these factors.”

The tour traversed the region, visiting Bookham, Coolac, Holbrook, Wagga Wagga and Griffith. A full picture of the significant diversity of geography and agricultural systems in the region was presented.

In developing the itinerary, the Hub staff chose projects, locations and people to demonstrate our impact. This included visiting pasture trial sites, looking at sheep confinement feeding in action, the importance of on-farm water management, long-term drought resilience field trials, and citrus and grape orchards effectively using new technologies for soil moisture monitoring.

“I would like to thank Brent Finlay and Julia Spicer  for visiting to see what the Hub is delivering on the ground. I am delighted that at the conclusion of the tour they provided such strong, positive feedback about our work.”

I want to also say a special thank you to the farmers whose properties we visited who were very generous with their time and knowledge. Also, to the researchers, experts, and our partners who shared the details of how our projects work in practice to boost drought resilience in our industries and communities. It was obvious to all how much they care about what they’re doing and the outcomes we are achieving together.”