Ava Wilkinson Reflects on Innovation Generation 2025 in Fremantle
In July, Ava Wilkinson attended Innovation Generation 2025 in Fremantle, Western Australia, an event hosted by GrainGrowers that brought together young growers, researchers, and agribusiness leaders to share ideas, hear from inspiring speakers, and connect with individuals shaping the future of the grains industry.
Day one of the conference opened with a Welcome to Country by Nick Abraham, who highlighted the deep history and culture of the Whadjuk people in Perth. GrainGrowers Chair Rhys Turton officially welcomed attendees, followed by CBH CEO Ben Macnamara, who emphasised that agriculture is always evolving, and we need to evolve with it.
One of the highlights for Wilkinson was the keynote address by Anna Meares OAM, who spoke on resilience, adaptability, and mindset, drawing from her Olympic cycling career. Meares’ story of overcoming injury and hardship resonated strongly with the challenges faced by those in the agricultural sector. Farming, like elite sport, involves uncertainty, risk, and tough seasons, and Anna’s journey of coming back from serious injury and personal loss mirrors the grit needed on the land. She shared how she applied innovative thinking to Australia’s most successful Olympic team, demonstrating mental strength and adaptability under pressure. From the track to the paddock, Meares highlighted the mindsets that matter, offering insights that were both inspiring and directly relevant to the agricultural community.
The day included a range of practical and inspiring sessions. Wilkinson particularly valued hearing the Gourley family’s perspective on combining Olympic ambition with farm life and Rod Birch’s insights on the growth of Catalina Farms. Birch emphasised proactive farm planning while maintaining flexibility to respond to seasonal variations, principles closely aligned with Wilkinson’s research on strategies actors use to shape markets.
Other notable sessions included Nic Sewell’s grain marketing talk and two plenaries that offered reflections on experience and advocacy. In “What I’d Tell My 20-Year-Old Self,” Julia Hausler, Frank O’Hare, Judith Foss, and Brett South shared lessons learned, offering practical advice with humour and honesty. Meanwhile, “Advocacy in Action: Learn from the Best, Lead the Next” featured panellists Tyson Cattle, Caroline Rhodes, Claire Taylor, and Zach Whale, who highlighted the impact of authentic grassroots advocacy in influencing industry-wide outcomes.
The day concluded with the launch of new GrainGrowers leadership programs, which encouraged Wilkinson to consider her own future leadership opportunities. The evening wrapped up with a lively gathering at Fremantle’s Flight Club, where attendees, dressed in sportswear after a day inspired by Olympians, enjoyed a spirited and engaging social event.
Day two centred on innovation and the future of farming, with presentations spanning branding, geopolitics, artificial intelligence, and regenerative agriculture. Wilkinson found Stuart Gregor’s story of building the Four Pillars Gin brand particularly inspiring, offering lessons in storytelling and premium positioning.
A standout session was Tress Walmsley’s presentation on gene editing. She began by asking participants to assess their understanding of genetically modified (GM) and gene-edited (GE) crops, noting that many initially felt uncertain about the topic. By the end of the session, Wilkinson observed that a significantly greater number of the audience reported feeling confident in their knowledge, reflecting the clarity and accessibility of Walmsley’s presentation. Walmsley also provided an update on the Inari and InterGrain GE wheat project, highlighting its potential to increase yields through targeted genetic improvements. Walmsley emphasised that the ultimate long-term goal is for gene-edited crops to be integrated seamlessly into farming systems, so that GE is no longer seen as a product-differentiation feature and segregation is not required.
The Great Debate, “Innovation in the grains industry is more advanced and effective in Western Australia than the eastern Australian states,” was another highlight, showcasing sharp, entertaining arguments and lively audience engagement. The conference concluded creatively with a mascot design challenge, followed by a closing dinner at Fremantle Prison. This was a great way to continue the conversation and reflect on such a dynamic event.
Looking back, Wilkinson described Innovation Generation 2025 as more than just a conference. It offered her the opportunity to learn from Olympians, industry leaders, and fellow growers, gain practical insights for her research, and connect with a community committed to innovation in agriculture.
Wilkinson expressed her gratitude to GrainGrowers for supporting her attendance, noting that her earlier internship with the organisation had strengthened their connection and that she greatly valued their ongoing encouragement of both her research and professional development. She reflected that the conference had left her energised and inspired, reinforcing her commitment to playing a role in shaping the future of the grains industry.
Wilkinson will continue her PhD research with the ARC Training Centre for Future Crops Development and the University of Adelaide, incorporating insights from the conference in her research activities.
Ava Wilkinson, ARC Training Centre for Future Crops