Agrisolar News #10
Welcome back to Agrisolar News!
In this issue, we have a few changes to share, a few exciting opportunities for you to share with your colleagues, and a recap of our webinar from a few weeks ago.
Agrisolar in the media
Agrisolar in the news moves to the headline spot this issue!
After two outstanding spotlights on all things agrisolar on recent episodes of ABC’s Landline, we had to share these vignettes right out of the (farm)gate:
We’re recruiting our CEO!
The bid team & Board have finalised a position description for our CRC’s Interim CEO role. We are pleased to announce that applications for the role will remain open til July 31, or until a suitable candidate is appointed. This will be an informal, volunteer appointment until the CRC bid is funded and the position can be renumerated (as is the case for Board members). We invite you to share the position description with colleagues who you believe may have an interest in the role.
Interested candidates should send their CV and a cover letter to Prof. Ben Smith. Enquiries about the role can be made via email to ben.smith@westernsydney.edu.au.
Congratulations and farewell to outgoing members of the Agrisolar CRC Bid Team!
Some partners and most key stakeholders in the bid will now be aware that Liz Smith and Kerry Lancaster have been offered and accepted new roles within Western Sydney University.
Liz has been the Director of the Bid Team and has accepted a new role as the Director of Transnational Education, Mobility & Partnerships in the International portfolio. Liz commences in her new role on July 14th.
Kerry has supported the Agrisolar CRC bid as the Project Officer (aka ‘engine room’) and has accepted a new role as HDR and Research Administration Coordinator in the School of Health Sciences. Kerry commences in her new role on July 21st.
A recruitment process will be initiated shortly to fill both Liz & Kerry’s roles, and partner queries in the meantime should be directed to the Bid’s Academic Director, Prof. Ben Smith at Western Sydney University.
Liz and Kerry are excited for their new roles, but are eager to keep up with the bid. They invite partners to stay in touch via LinkedIn, and as they are both staying within WSU, their contact details remain the same.
Kerry and Liz progress into their new roles with a heartfelt thanks and congratulations from the consortium on supporting an excellent Stage 1 submission - we wish them all the best for their new adventures!
PREVIOUS EVENT
Stage 2 CRC Partner Information Webinar
This online webinar was held exclusively for all confirmed partners of the CRC. Topics covered included next steps in the application process should be successful, a recap of the Research Programs in the CRC bid, and Q&A.
Missed out?
All partners received a copy of the slides and transcript – but if you need these re-emailed, please let us know!
Upcoming Events
JULY
National Renewables in Agriculture Conference and Expo
23-24 July 2025 | Bendigo, Victoria
Conference founder (and Agrisolar CRC Board Director!) Karin Stark has successfully run this event since 2019. This year’s event will feature keynote speaker Tony Wood, Energy Program Director of the Grattan Institute, and all attendees will have the option of participating in a bioenergy tour of the Kia Ora Piggery on 24 July. Available sessions will cover topics that include electric utes, green hydrogen, battery storage, bioenergy, solar pumping, future grid and sharing the benefits when hosting large scale solar and wind farms.
Register soon - this event sold out in 2024! >>
SEPTEMBER
Farming Forever National Summit 2025
1-2 September 2025 | Hotel Realm, Canberra
Hosted by Farmers for Climate Action, the event will be made up of summit sessions, keynote speakers, panel discussions, as well as a Gala Dinner and lots of opportunity to network. A Farmer-only Workshop Day will be held on 3 September and will include media and government engagement training, as well as capacity building sessions.
Learn more >>
Gippsland New Energy Conference 2025
9-10 September 2025 | Gippsland Performing Arts Centre Precinct, Traralgon, VIC
Run by the Gippsland Climate Change Network, this event is the largest regional energy event in Australia. Core topics at this year’s event will include All things Renewable, The Power of Wind, Innovation, Climate Change, Circular Economy & Nature Positive, Community Engagement and Workforce & Skills. The conference program is under development and tickets will be available from mid-June.
Learn more >>
Looking to get more involved in the decarbonisation community in NSW?
Join the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub mailing list for monthly updates from our Networks: Land and Primary Industries, Electrification and Energy Systems; and Powerfuels including Hydrogen!
