Just after finishing her six-year chapter as AgForce President, Georgie Somerset has been honoured with her own golden moment for her directorial leadership across several boards.
The Australian Institute of Company Directors presented their member Georgina Somerset AM FAICD the 2024 Queensland Gold Medal.
The award was presented by AICD Chair Naomi Edwards at the AICD annual Queensland awards dinner on Thursday, 21 November.
Ms Somerset, who lives on a farm at Durong, said it was “really humbling” to be recognised by her peers for her various director and board roles. She was privileged to have her family at the awards night who have sacrificed a lot so she could do these roles.
The gold medal recognises excellence in governance and AICD were proud to honour Ms Somerset’s high standard of governance and leadership throughout her directorial career.
Queensland Division Council President Luckbir Singh congratulated Ms Somerset and said the council noted her capability and professionalism, strong regional connections and active roles she has played in mentoring emerging agricultural leaders.
“Georgie has been an outstanding Queensland company director who has made a significant contribution to the community,” he said.
“As a Fellow of the AICD, she has upheld good governance and high ethical standards in her personal, business and public life, contributing to strengthening society as a company director and citizen of Queensland.”
Ms Somerset has taken on a myriad of directorial and board roles including the Queensland section of the Royal Flying Doctors Service since 2016, and Chair since 2023.
“I love thinking strategically and the opportunity to think about where an organisation or business might be able to go,” Ms Somerset said, expressing the advantage of working across different sectors and empowering dedicated people in management.
She has served as a director on the ABC Board, the National Farmer’s Federation, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, and is the Chair of the Red Earth Community Foundation.
Ms Somerset said it is crucial that these boards have a diversity of rural and city voices. She shared her advantage of coming home to “ground” herself and switching off at her South Burnett farm after meetings.
“I’m really passionate about rural and regional Australia having a voice,” she said.
“We bring a different perspective and we think a bit differently.”
She loves the chance to work with the variety of people she would not have met if she had not been on the board.
Ms Somerset has also been with AgForce Queensland for more than a decade and has just finished up as General President after six years in the role.
“Leading your industry is a privilege, it’s a huge responsibility,” she said.
A highlight of being with AgForce has been meeting people and getting out to different parts of the country.
During her time as president Ms Somerset has set up two ventures -AgForce Training and AgForce Care which gives producers an evaluation of their land’s natural capital.
“It gives producers more information so they can be in control,” she said.
Over the last six years, Ms Somerset has seen producers step up, adopt technology, and business infrastructure to strengthen their agricultural business.
“To be ready for whatever shocks are in the future,” she said.
She has also observed agricultural businesses become more professional.
“I think in the last 10 years agriculture has become more proud of themselves,” Ms Somerset said.
The former president expressed she is excited for AgForce’s future.
“I really relished the opportunity to increase the sustainability of the organisation,” Ms Somerset said.
One of the biggest challenges ahead for the agricultural industry, Ms Somerset said, will be trade negotiations and keeping alert for regulation changes.
Now that the AgForce chapter has closed, Ms Somerset is looking forward to putting more energy into her role as Chair of the Royal Flying Doctors Service in Queensland. She has also recently joined the national RFDS board.
“Looking to where I can have an impact, how do we strengthen rural and regional communities,” she said.
She will also continue being involved with the Red Earth Community Foundation and hopefully spend more time at home on her Durong property.
Ms Somerset encourages young people to think about volunteering on boards, especially those passionate about regional areas.
“I’d really encourage young people to do some leadership work and have a go at that.”
