Summerfruit Australia Emerging Leaders is a 1-year program designed to give future industry leaders the opportunity to gain business knowledge and improve networks for the betterment of the whole industry. The four key pillars will be:

• Innovation
• Leadership
• Governance
• Business & Finance

Commitment

All participants will need to commit to attending the following in-person events:

•  23^rd-25^th March 2026: Workshop in Echuca, VIC
• 17^th – 19^th June 2026: Field Trip, Conference & Workshop in Melbourne, VIC
• September 2026: 3 Day field trip and workshop, QLD (Dates & Location TBD)
• March 2027: 3 Day Workshop in Regional VIC (Dates & Location TBD)

Participants will also be expected to participate in bi-monthly check-ins with SAL staff online, as well as attend any regional SAL events as they occur in their growing region.

Participants or their companies will be expected to cover travel costs to workshops and field days, with a stipend supplied for out-of-state travel. The program will cover accommodation, basic meals and other specific requirements, which will be communicated.

A small financial commitment of $500 is required on acceptance of application

If a participant pulls out of the program or fails to attend an event without good reason, SAL reserves the right to reclaim any costs back from the participant.

Application process

Applications will be open for one month. Applicants must fit the following criteria:

• Have a permanent position in a company that grows, packs or exports summerfruit in Australia
• Have worked in full time in horticulture at least 2 years, no more that 15 years
• Be working in a role that has some leadership or management aspects
• Have ambition for summerfruit to be key category within horticulture

To Apply you must submit:

•  A cover letter, outlining why you are passionate about summerfruit, what you hope to gain from the leadership program, and what you aspire to achieve in horticulture, relating back to the four key pillars of the program.
• Your professional CV
• A letter of support from a levy paying grower
• A letter of support/reference from someone else in your community or company
• Complete a letter of commitment, signed by you and your business owner to acknowledge the time and financial commitment.

There are up to ten spots available for the 2026/27 Cohort. In cases where there is more than one applicant per company, the most appropriate candidate will be given priority, with other applicants only considered if there are enough spots for all candidates. Interviews with a selection Panel in will take place in January/February 2026.

Send your application to admin@summerfruit.com.au with the title: Emerging Leaders Application. Applications are live now and close Friday 16^th January 2026 at 6pm AEDT. Final candidates will be selected by the selection panel based on fitting of criteria, quality of application and interview. Applicants will know the outcome no later than 1^st March 2026.

For any additional queries contact jess@summerfruit.com.au