• The ‘Ag Re-imagined’ event at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst on Thursday 16 October will bring agricultural and communication professionals together to help shape the future of ‘agri-comms’

A Charles Sturt University communication academic welcomes an event to bring agricultural and communications professionals together to forge a new collaboration to advance the future of ‘agri-comms’ as an industry tool.

Through her involvement and membership of Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA), Course Director and Senior Lecturer in Communication Dr Deborah Wise in the Charles Sturt School of Information and Communication Studies has been instrumental in securing the Agribusiness Australia and CPRA event.

Dr Wise said the Ag Re-imagined: Imagination, Youth and the Future of Regional Australia event is jointly hosted by Agribusiness Australia and CPRA in the TV studio in the new communications precinct at Charles Sturt in Bathurst on Thursday 16 October. It will be live-streamed throughout Australia.

“The Ag Re-imagined event brings together two sectors united in shaping the future of agriculture and has significance for existing and future professionals in agriculture and communication,” Dr Wise said.

“As a regional university, Charles Sturt University is well known for its agriculture and communication courses, and this event brings the two fields together for the first time under the banner of agricultural communication – ‘agri-comms’.

“By crystallising a new image, one that highlights innovation, careers of choice and the role of regional communities in the energy transition, we can reframe agriculture not through outdated stereotypes, but as the sector driving solutions in technology, climate resilience and food security for our shared future.”

Dr Wise highlighted that many CPRA members are Charles Sturt alumni and several will be returning to Bathurst for the event.

“This provides a valuable opportunity to showcase the ongoing impact of our graduates and strengthen our alumni connections,” she said.

This conversation is hosted at Charles Sturt University’s new media studio in Bathurst. Speakers at the event include:

Ms Brooke Watts - Careers and Pathways for the Next Generation

Ms Watts provides the career and youth perspective. As a Charles Sturt alumna now featuring in national forums like NFF Xchange, her story illustrates the opportunities for young people to thrive in agriculture. She bridges the education-to-industry pipeline and will share insights on how pathways can be designed to attract, inspire and retain the next wave of talent in agriculture.

Dr Fiona McKenzie - Energy and Regional Futures

Dr McKenzie adds a critical lens on how agriculture and regional communities navigate the energy transition. Drawing from her research with landholders and communities, she explores both the opportunities (renewables, resilience, regional investment) and tensions (REZs, community concerns, land use) that must be addressed if agriculture is to be positioned as a sector leading solutions for climate and energy futures.

Mr Guy Webb - Innovation, Soil and Climate Careers

Mr Webb brings the innovation and science lens. As Global Agronomic Lead at Loam Bio and founder of SoilCQuest, he shows how modern ag careers can span farming, biotech and entrepreneurship. His work on microbial seed technologies is building soil carbon and climate resilience, turning science into practical on-farm solutions. His story highlights how agtech and sustainability are creating exciting new career pathways for the next generation.

The event is from 11am to 1.30pm on Thursday 16 October in building 1399 at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst.

Please register to attend the event either in person or online.