Supporting Leadership on the Darling Downs

Through the Weis Community Fund, we’re proud to support leadership pathways that strengthen the Darling Downs.

Last week marked the graduation of two Weis Community Fund scholarship recipients from the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program. We were proud to support local leaders Rowena Beveridge and Amanda Burchmann through this transformative experience.

From immersive leadership development in Canberra to hands-on regional engagement in Toowoomba, both participants built skills in:

• leadership and communication
• collaboration and advocacy
• tackling complex challenges facing agriculture and regional communities.

But the real impact goes deeper.

Amanda shared that the experience reshaped how she approaches leadership, strengthening her confidence to support producers and rural communities across Southern Queensland.

Rowena described the program as both challenging and powerful, helping her find her voice as an advocate for food security, workforce capability and the future of agriculture.

“Leadership is not about having all the answers… it’s about listening, empathy and having the courage to speak up when it matters.”
~Rowena

Importantly, this investment is enabling something bigger than individual growth. It’s building a connected network of regional leaders right here in the Darling Downs.

Four local graduates have now been supported through the Weis Community Fund which was initially set up by Unilever’s ice cream business, now The Magnum Ice Cream Company. The fund was created to deliver a lasting impact in the Toowoomba community and to build a legacy that honours Weis’ more than 60-year history.

The Weis Community Fund is proudly managed by the People First Bank Foundation, helping to grow stronger collaboration, deeper relationships and long-term impact across our communities.

Photo (L to R) Paul Olds PFBF, Diana Sachez, Rowena Beveridge, Matt Norton and Amanda Burchmann (All ARLF scholarship recipients)