Grand finalé for the 2025 Scholars
The culmination of the annual LHF Program is a very special event held annually in Toowoomba. February 12th 2026, was another amazing day and evening showcasing the growth of the 2025 participants and the skills they learnt during the year.
The Program has a focus on regenerative agriculture and personal development. Part of this is cultivating public speaking abilities and presentation skills. An audience of 50+ were at the Power Tynan offices to hear a presentation by each participant on their on-property projects and learning journey while participating in the Program. They told of their experiences, personal growth and development, and their increased understanding of what is possible on a variety of landscapes and soil types using regenerative agriculture.
An independent Judging Panel of three, chaired by Board member Paul Hilton along with Barbara Bishop and Jacynta Coffey, use a predesigned point system to rate the presentations, with a winner receiving the "Tree of Life Award".
Presentation day in full swing....
Susie Marro
Helen and Toby Gilmour
Trevor Rimmington and Ashleigh
Tim Lee
Martha Lindstat
‘getting to know you’ activities
The evening began with 2025 Scholar Martha Lindstad, a former journo from Norway who now runs a huge cattle property in NW NSW. Martha read a poem she had written about the LHF Program. [See below]
Guest speaker for the evening was Lauren Beresford, recipient of the 2024 Tree of Life Award. Lauren described her year and subsequent twelve months, the on-farm project she began while doing the Program including her trials and tribulations with drought, then massive flooding. Her power point showed photos of the truly amazing response her land gained on the large claypan area she chose as her project site on her far southwest Queensland cattle property near Eulo.
Program Facilitator Barb Bishop and Paul Hilton presented Certificates to the 2025 participants – Ashleigh Andrews, Helen Gilmour, Toby Gilmour, Tim Lee, Martha Lindstad, Susie Marro and Trevor Rimmington.
They now all become Lachlan Hughes Foundation Scholars and part of the ever-growing Alumni, which now stands at 29 - a wonderful achievement for six years!Then for the big announcement of the night the "Tree of Life Award" for 2025
- Tim Lee from Gunnedah NSW is the worthy recipient.
CONGRATULATIONS Tim!Photos from the dinner
Anna Hughes, Barb Bishop, Jac Coffey Graham & Cathy Finlayson with Martha Lindstad
Amanda Kenafake LHF Board, Ben Dobbin, Wendy Mulder. Alumni membersHappy faces! Alumni membersThe 13 Alumni members that were present on the night, with the 2026 cohort, and Barb Bishop.
Read the two Queensland Country Life articles by Zac Braxton-Smith HEREandHEREThe Lachlan Hughes Foundation Journey Written by Martha Lindstad
Not just a course we attended through
But a season of change that reshaped our view.
We created the space to step in and do,
To try, to fail, to follow things through.
We learnt to listen: to land and to self,
That progress isn’t measured by numbers or wealth.
In soils rebuilt and confidence grown,
We learned that you don’t have to do it alone.
At Dulacca, Philip stands steady and tall,
A teacher of landscapes, he knows it all,
Genuine, thoughtful, grounded and wise,
Reading the country with well-trained eyes.
Adele brings the heart, the warmth, the cheer
Best meals on the table, comfort drawn near
From hearty home cooking to arms open wide,
You’re fed till you’re full and hugged right inside.
Philip and Adele made space to belong
Opening their home where the program felt strong
A shearing shed classroom, through heat and through cold
Where big ideas grew, and stories were told.
Together they host with generosity true,
Knowledge and kindness in all they do.
Just one small lesson we all know now
Philip and the dishwasher, best not allow.
Anna knows compost like others know wine,
What to turn, when to wait, what’s ready in time
With William, Georgia and Hamish by her side,
She balances motherhood, learning and drive.
Barb coached us through with heart and grit,
Saw the potential before we did.
Straight talking, solid, never for show
Teaching by doing, not just what you know.
Seventy plus and still setting the pace
Outworking most with quiet grace.
Tough when it counts but steady and true,
If you want real growth, this is who to listen to.
We learned that growth takes time and care,
That rest can heal what’s been stripped bare
That forcing land or forcing change
Just leaves the soil to rearrange.
This program doesn’t just end at the gate,
It travels there with us, decisions we make
As stewards of land, we keep learning and growing
Improving ourselves through the work we are showing.
_____________________________________________________________________________The 2026 Program
The new participants arrive to see some of the Thursday presentations and join the dinner, followed by an Induction Day on the Friday.
We welcome the successful applicants for the 2026 Program - Jessica Strohfeldt, Roy and Ella Baker, Lisa Williams and Brad Dorge, Georgie Coombe and Jack Caskey, Sarah and Shane Ferriday.
