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Adam Fennessy

Victorian Public Sector Commissioner at Victorian Public Sector Commission

Adam Fennessy PSM is the Victorian Public Sector Commissioner with over 20 years of public sector experience at state and federal levels. He served as Secretary of the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning and the Department of Environment & Primary Industries. Adam also worked as a partner at Ernst & Young. He is an IPAA National Fellow and a member of the Male Champions of Change Network.

Highlights

May 4 · linkedin

Red Imported Fire Ants were first detected in Australia in South East Queensland in 2001. Governments have worked collectively to eradicate them ever since.

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFEAP) aims to eradicate this serious pest from Australia by 2032. The Fire Ant Response Plan 2023–27 focuses on strengthening containment and compliance, and intensifying program-led and community treatment: https://lnkd.in/gzK8z_iy

Yesterday, DAFF Deputy Secretary Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance Justine Saunders and I visited the NFEAP head office and depot in Berrinba QLD.

We inspected the depot facilities and laboratories and accompanied operations staff in the field. Led by QLD Chief Biosecurity Officer Dr Rachel Chay, with Ash Bacon, Chris Hollingdrake, Dr Tracey Churchill and Dr Erin Wallace we saw first hand the science-based work being led by the NFEAP program team in eradicating the red imported fire ant, which is a serious pest and risk for Australian agriculture, environment and communities.

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (Queensland)

Mar 22 · linkedin

Last night in Toowoomba I attended the premiere of “Just a Farmer”, with writer, producer and actor Leila McDougall along with farmers, ag industry and Toowoomba community leaders.

The event was sponsored by Queensland Farmers'​ Federation with the support of Rural Aid and Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise.

It is a heatwrenching and beautiful film that tells a compelling story about the silent struggles with #MentalHealth within Australian #farming communities.

We were privileged to hear directly from Leila McDougall (who’s acting, writing and production skills are remarkable) as well as the important work across regional Australia being led by Rural Aid and others in supporting mental health for farming communities.

Special thanks to the wonderful leadership of QFF’s Jo Sheppard GAICD in bringing everyone together for the launch event, and Rural Aid CEO John Warlters for sharing the critical work you are doing to invest in community resilience across rural and regional Australia.

I urge farming and urban communities to see this film. If its not showing at your local cinema, ask them to give it a run.

https://lnkd.in/gZVA4u8N

Thomas Foods International AUSVEG Sports Entertainment Network Ararat Rural City Council Freemasons Foundation Victoria #JustAFarmer #mentalhealth #ruralhealth

Adam Fennessy
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Location

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia