Toowoomba agri-leader takes on new challenge thanks to Weis Community Fund

21 March 2024

Toowoomba’s Matt Norton is a set to embark on the agri-leadership challenge of a lifetime after receiving a scholarship through the Weis Community Fund. 

Thanks to the Weis Community Fund, funded by Unilever and administered by the Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation, Matt will join Course 31 of the prestigious Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP).

The Weis Community Fund Scholarship offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a Darling Downs agri-food leader to develop their leadership capability, so they act beyond themselves, work with others and facilitate change for positive impact on communities in the region. The scholarship is co-funded by the Weis Community Fund and Australian Rural Leadership Foundation alumni donors.

Matt is a passionate advocate for the agricultural sector and is the Director of AgDSA, a Toowoomba- based engineering, town planning and environmental services consultancy. 

He has presented at industry events including the Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) Protein conference and was instrumental in initiating the TSBE Sheep and Goat Feedlotting Emerging Opportunities event. 

“The ARLP is highly competitive with a rigorous application process, and I’ve been working towards applying for a scholarship for several years,” Matt said. 

“I’m thrilled to receive a scholarship funded by the Weis Community Fund that is focussed on agriculture in the Darling Downs and surrounding areas. Local community and agriculture are very close to my heart, and I know I can help drive better outcomes for our region through participating in ARLP 31.”

Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation Executive Officer Paul Olds said, “The Foundation is delighted to support Matt with the opportunity to be part of the ARLP via the Weis Community Fund.

“He already has some impressive achievements under his belt including being selected for the Meat & Livestock Australia Red Meat Ambassador program and receiving the Rural Consultant of the Year at the Australian Farmer of the Year awards. 

“We’re excited to see how he’ll help drive positive change for regional and rural communities through the ARLP.”