THE iconic Australian Rural Leadership Program was in the North East last week as part of its 15 month tour of Australia and Indonesia.

The program takes participants from diverse places, industries and backgrounds and immerses them in a series of unique experiences to help develop them as leaders.

The group visited the Winton Wetlands and Brown Brothers winery in Milawa.

“We are here to get an insight into community leadership,” said Steve Martin of Kerwee Lot Feeders from the Darling Downs in south-east Queensland.

“We are taken to a place outside of what we are familiar with and investigate the success stories in these different industries.”

The group was specifically seeking stories from leaders that overcame challenges in their companies.

Though most participants didn’t have a winemaking background, a visit to Brown Brothers proved fruitful.

“I work for a family business, so some of the challenges that Brown Brothers have faced are definitely applicable to me,” said Mr Martin.