The Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) is a natural resource management (NRM) group located in the Burnett Mary region which covers 56,000km2 of land and 11,000km2 of sea in the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

As an NRM group operating in this region, BMRG is a natural fit for the Queensland Farmers’ Federation’s Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program (AEWPP) funded through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program. The AEWPP connects early career extension professionals with host agribusinesses and NRM organisations to assist landholders in Great Barrier Reef catchment areas.

Deb Medhurst, BMRG’s Senior Project Manager for Land Practice Change, said that she was motivated to participate in the program, as a mentor, to enhance the region’s on-farm productivity, profitability and adaptivity.  

“Recent data highlights a lack of experienced and trusted extension officers/advisors with strong technical backgrounds in the industry. By bringing that expertise in, we can ensure more productive, profitable, and adaptive farm management practices that can co-deliver benefits to our natural and agricultural assets, as well as the longevity of farm businesses,” Mrs Medhurst said.

This is a region with numerous agricultural industries. Cattle grazing represents the largest by land use, as well as a range of horticultural crops including Australia’s largest macadamia, avocado, sweet potato and chilli producers. Well managed water resources and innovative best management practices are key drivers of the work that BMRG and specifically the Land Practice Change team deliver.

“By being involved with the project and employing a graduate to train as an Extension Officer, we get the best of both worlds. An opportunity to tap into the most recent, science backed and field-trialled management practices and the enthusiasm and mouldability of a new staff member who can work from the ground up to build that rapport and trust with our most important asset – our landholders.”

Mrs Medhurst noted that their Extension Officer’s enthusiasm and knowledge had been invaluable to BMRG and was inspiring the staff to continually learn and upskill throughout their project delivery.

“It’s a great project, and one of the best parts for the Extension Officer is the network that QFF helps facilitate with the other participants. Our organisation has also been able to form relationships with other organisations, NRMs and industry professionals that we may not have ordinarily come across,” Mrs Medhurst said.

Alongside the benefits of having QFF manage a national recruitment process to bring new talent into their organisation, and recognition as an organisation that co-invests with agriculture and the NRM sector, BMRG and other participating organisations get access to leadership and mentorship training and development for their staff.

“As a mentor, I have received invaluable training provided through the program, which I have been able to apply myself as an Extension Officer, and Project Manager, and broadened my networks and contacts across Queensland, while building a lifelong relationship with our fabulous graduate,” Mrs Medhurst said.

“I can highly recommend businesses participate in the program. Not only have we gained a very well-suited graduate; we can also now offer full-time employment opportunities to an applicant who’s work ethic and cultural fit is already well known and established.”

Learn more about the project and get involved in the 2025 cohort here.