Expressions of interest are now open for the 2026 Dr. Ian Parish Leadership Development Award, sponsored by AusPork Limited.
The Award recognises Dr. Parish’s work and contributions made for the producers of Victoria and South Australia for over 50 years – and for his leadership role in Auspork’s evolution as a significant contributor to pork marketing.
To be awarded annually to two recipients who are currently working preferably in a pork farming business, (or associated value chain participants will be considered), ideally in either Victoria or South Australia (where Ian spent his working life) and have, or are developing, their leadership roles within their farming business and the community.
To learn more about the award, and request and application information package, please contact either Pork SA Andy Pointon andypointon.food@hotmail.com, or Victorian award coordinator Ian Farran ianfarran@outlook.com
Applications Close: Friday 27th February, 2026.
2025 Winner – Molly Dunstan
Molly Dunstan, Veterinarian at Sunpork Farms was awarded the second Dr. Ian Parish Leadership Development Award, sponsored by Auspork Limited this year. Molly participated in the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program, supported by NAB Agribusiness (participants pictured).
“A very big thank you to Pork SA and Auspork for this great opportunity through the Dr Ian Parish Award. I can’t say how much I enjoyed the course, including the challenge to get out of my comfort zone and learn from other people in the ag industry. The sessions were based around emotional intelligence, public speaking, mental health, pillars of leadership and communications, with some great key-note speakers.”
“My key takeaways were that leadership is everyone’s business & not just reserved for those in specific leadership roles, the importance of early collaboration, developing my personal toolkit to help myself and others in tough times, and overall improving my self-awareness. The opportunity to network with others in agriculture and learn from their experiences has been a privilege to be part of.”
“I feel like the course has come at a perfect time for me for reflection of where I have come, enabled forward planning / thinking of where I would like to go within the pork industry and how to help bring out the best in myself and the teams that I work with.”
Molly highly recommends anyone who is developing their leadership roles within their pork farming business and/or the community to apply.
