Horsham’s Avril Hogan will use her extensive background in tertiary education and agriculture to lead Longerenong College and inspire young people into the industry.

Ms Hogan will step in as general manager in late August after John Goldsmith announced his retirement after a 12-year appointment.

Ms Hogan, who has more than 20 years of combined experience in marketing, teaching and in the agriculture industry, said she was keen to head the college in a new era of leadership.

“Agriculture is in a great position and I’m excited to take over and help lead Longerenong College into the future,” she said.

“The college has an amazing long history in agriculture in this area and beyond, where we draw on students from all over Australia.

“It’s crucial we inspire more young people to start their career in agriculture.”

The Canadian export, who moved from Saskatchewan, a province in Canada’s wheat belt, has served in various roles across the education and agriculture sectors since moving to Australia.

Ms Hogan taught an advanced diploma of business, strategy and international marketing at the University of Ballarat, now Federation University.

Meeting her Australian-born husband at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days in 2005 is what led to her moving to the region.

Ms Hogan said she also started her own consulting business on moving to the Wimmera that worked with universities and crossed over into the agriculture sector.

“I worked on graduate-outcome projects and strategies for universities, farmer surveys and agriculture industry research,” she said.

Ms Hogan has worked as a group marketing and strategy manager at ag-machinery business Emmetts for the past six years.

– Dylan De Jong

The entire June 30, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire June 30,, 2021 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!