Consolidating Targeted and Practical Extension for ... · 4. A national agreement between...
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Consolidating Targeted and Practical Extension for Australian Farmers and FishersFinal Report
RURAL R&D FOR PROFITPROGRAMME
Rural Industries Research and Development CorporationDepartment of Agriculture and Water ResourcesAustralian Government
RuralR&DforProfitProgrammeFinalReport
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Unlessotherwisenoted,copyright(andanyotherintellectualpropertyrights,ifany)inthispublicationisownedbytheRuralIndustriesResearchandDevelopmentCorporation.
CreativeCommonslicence
AllmaterialinthispublicationislicensedunderaCreativeCommonsAttribution3.0AustraliaLicence,saveforcontentsuppliedbythirdparties,logosandtheCommonwealthCoatofArms.
CreativeCommonsAttribution3.0AustraliaLicenceisastandardformlicenceagreementthatallowsyoutocopy,distribute,transmitandadaptthispublicationprovidedyouattributethework.Asummaryofthelicencetermsisavailablefromcreativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en.Thefulllicencetermsareavailablefromcreativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/legalcode.
Thispublication(andanymaterialsourcedfromit)shouldbeattributedas:ConsolidatingTargetedandPracticalExtensionforAustralianFarmersandFishers,RuralIndustriesResearchandDevelopmentCorporation,WaggaWagga,April2017.
Thispublicationisavailableatagriculture.gov.au/publications.
DepartmentofAgricultureandWaterResourcesPostaladdressGPOBox858CanberraACT2601Telephone1800900090Webagriculture.gov.au
Disclaimer
TheAustralianGovernmentactingthroughtheDepartmentofAgricultureandWaterResourceshasexercisedduecareandskillinpublishingtheinformationanddatainthispublication.Notwithstanding,theDepartmentofAgricultureandWaterResources,itsemployeesandadvisersdisclaimallliability,includingliabilityfornegligenceandforanyloss,damage,injury,expenseorcostincurredbyanypersonasaresultofaccessing,usingorrelyinguponanyoftheinformationordatainthispublicationtothemaximumextentpermittedbylaw.
Acknowledgements
Thisprojectwasdeliveredwiththeassistanceofthefollowingprojectpartners,
• NewSouthWalesLocalLandServices;• NorthernTerritoryDepartmentofPrimaryIndustry;• TasmanianInstituteofAgricultureandFisheries;• UniversityofMelbourne;• VictorianGovernmentDepartmentofEconomicDevelopment,Jobs,TransportandResources
RIRDCwouldliketoacknowledgeandthankallthespecialistserviceproviderswhowerepivotalintheprojectsdeliversandwhodemonstratedarealpassionandcommitmenttothiswork
RIRDCwouldalsoliketoacknowledgeandthankallstakeholderswhoparticipatedintheprojectbyprovidingvaluableopinionsthatarepresentedhereintheaggregatedform.
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ContentsPlainEnglishsummary................................................................................................................................iv
Abbreviationsandglossary........................................................................................................................1
1 Projectrationaleandobjectives.......................................................................................................2
2 Methodandprojectlocations............................................................................................................4
3 Projectachievements.........................................................................................................................11
3.1 Projectlevelachievements...................................................................................................................11
3.2 Contributiontoprogrammeobjectives..........................................................................................27
4 Collaboration........................................................................................................................................28
4.1 Collaborationwithprojectpartners................................................................................................28
4.2 Collaborationwithotherorganisationsandspecialistserviceproviders.......................28
4.3 Collaborationwithbroaderstakeholders.....................................................................................31
4.4 CollaborationOutcomes........................................................................................................................32
5 Extensionandadoptionactivities.................................................................................................33
6 Lessonslearnt......................................................................................................................................34
6.1 ProjectChallenges....................................................................................................................................34
6.2 LessonsLearnt...........................................................................................................................................34
7 Appendix-additionalprojectinformation................................................................................36
7.1 Projectmaterialandintellectualproperty....................................................................................36
7.2 Equipmentandassets............................................................................................................................37
7.3 Mediaandcommunicationsmaterial..............................................................................................37
7.4 Evaluationreport.....................................................................................................................................37
7.5 Budget...........................................................................................................................................................37
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PlainEnglishsummaryInAustraliawehaveaproudtraditionofextensionandadoptionwithinprimaryindustries.ExtensionservicesplayanimportantroleinassistingAustralianfarmersandfisherstoadoptresearchanddevelopment(R&D),toinnovateandchange,andtokeeptheirbusinessprofitable.TheConsolidatingTargetedandPracticalExtensionforAustralianFarmersandFishersprojectwaswelcomedasthestartofamuchneedednationalconversationaboutthefutureofextension.FundedundertheRuralR&DforProfitProgramme,itwasanambitiousprojectthataimedtoreversesomeofthedriversoffragmentationthatareimpactingondelivery,toevaluatetheextensionsystem,andtoconsolidateextensionknowledge.Theprojectalsoidentifiedpracticalandachievableactionsthatwillleadtoimprovementstoourextensionsystems,helpingitmeetfuturedemandsandopportunitiesinprimaryindustries.Keyprojectdeliverablesandoutcomeswere:
• Apracticalextensioninformation‘hub’• Anevaluationofthecurrentextensionenvironmentsystems• Informationandadviceonstrategicnextstepstoimprovetheefficiencyofextension• Undertakingforumsandinformationexchange
ExtensionHubAkeyachievementoftheprojectwasthecreationofaweb-based‘hub’tosupportextensionprofessionalsastheyplananddeliverinformationtoAustralianfarmersandfishers.TheExtensionHubconsolidatesandorganisesexistingknowledge,toolsandresourcesinanaccessiblewaysothatitcanbeeasilyusedtoinformthedesignandimplementationofextensionbypublicandprivateproviders.Thesite,establishedastheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice(CoP),wentliveNovember2016.Itcurrentlycontains30curatedarticlesonextensionrelevanttotargetaudiences.Theyaretaggedwithkeywords,andlinkedtoothersourcesincludingYouTube.FurtherresourcesarebeingaddedbytheCoPleader.Currentlythereare1300usersofthesite.
CommunitiesofPracticeoncropdiseasesandcropnutritionarealsohousedonthesite.Visitorscanlistentopodcasts,readarticlesor“askanexpert”technicalquestionsonthesubjectareaoftheCommunityofPractice.Visitthehubathttps://extensionhub.com.au/web/extension-practice
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CurrentextensionenvironmentandsystemsTheprojectalsoinvolvedanevaluationofthecurrentextensionenvironmentandsystemstohelpbetterunderstandsystemstrengthsandweaknesses,whothekeyplayersare,andwhataretheirneeds.Thisworkincludedanassessmentofcurrentandpotentialfutureextensiondeliveryapproachesandhowtheseapproachescouldbeused.Insights,issuesandnationaltrendswithinthecurrentsystemofagriculturalextensioninAustraliaarelargelyconsistentwiththeliteratureandcanbesummarisedasfollows:
• Anincreasingdemandfromfarmersforextensionservicesthatsupportbothtacticalandstrategicdecisionmaking.Theagriculturalextensionsystemneedstorespondtothisneed,howeverimprovementsattheindividualproject,stateorindustrylevelwillnot,ontheirown,beenoughtomeetthisdemand.
• Animperativeforincreasingforindustryandgovernmentco-ordinationin
agriculturalextensionrelatingto:§ Thediversityofextensionprovidersandpotentialforgreaterprivatesector
involvement§ Regionalextensioneffortsthatarecross-industry§ Extensioncapabilityandcapacityplanninganddevelopmentinitiatives§ Engagingpublicandprivatesectorextensionprovidersinresearchpriority
settingandplanning§ Supportingculturalchangeinfarmers’willingnesstopayforadvice§ Recognitionthatthecurrentextensionsystemisfavouringlargerfarms
• Anincreasingrequirementforleadershipandexpertiseintheplanning,design
andreviewofRD&Eprogramsfromanextensionandinnovationperspective.
• AnincreasingneedfornewarrangementsinthestructuresofRD&Eprojects
andprogramsthatsupportco-innovation.Thediverserangeofserviceprovidersinextensionprovidesthecontextformorecomplexandagileextensionapproaches.
• Aneedforcontinuedsupportforbuildingextensioncapabilityandsupporting
developmentofbest-practiceextensionapproachesthroughinnovativeapproachesliketheExtensionHubandtheCommunitiesofPracticeitsupports.
StrategicnextstepsTheprojectidentifiedkeyissuesthatareimpactingtheeffectivenessoftheextensionsystemandprovidedinformationandadviceonstrategicnextstepsforAustralianprimaryindustryextension.
ThefindingsoftheprojectconsultantsGHD,QuantumMarketResearchandtheUniversityofMelbourneprovideinsightandguidanceonthenatureof,andfocusareasfor,strategicactionatthenational,industry,andregionalscalesinordertoimprovetheefficacyofthesystemandmeetfarmersneedsinthelongerterm.TheprojectExpertPanelsuggestthatitistheroleoftheResearchandInnovationCommitteeofthePrimaryIndustriesMinisterialCounciltoconsiderandundertakeonthesestrategicactions.ThesearepresentedinTableA.
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TableA:AreasforstrategicactioninAustralia’sagriculturalextensionsystem
Principlesforan
adaptiveextension
system
Outcomessought Strategicactions
Leadershipandprioritysetting
Thereisavisioninplacefortheextensionsystemcovering,priorities,institutionalarrangementsandappropriateleadership.
1.Clearownership,resourcingandleadershipforextensionfromgovernmentandindustry.2.Developmentandendorsementofaprogramforextensionleadership.
Resourcing Privateandpublicinvestmentinextensionandextensioncapacityissufficienttomeetstakeholderneeds.
(Seeaction3)
Capability • Careerpathwaysfornewentrantsintoextensionarevisibleandeffective.
• Professionalnetworksareavailablefornewandexistingextensionpersonnel.
• Thereiscontinualimprovementinextensioncapabilitythatdrawsonanestablishedandevolvingbodyofknowledge.
3.Anationalextensioncapabilityandcapacityplan,toinclude:• Anationalagreementon
professionalstandardsforprojectdesignandevaluation,andtrainingofindustry,government,andprivatedelivererstosupportimplementation.
• ResourcingtheExtensionHubandExtensionPracticeCoP’s.
• Identifyandresourcecapacityneeds.
Engagement • Greaterinteractionbetweenfarmers,extensionandresearch.
• Cross-sectoralcollaborationandco-ordinationofextensionprovidersforparticularregionalorcross-sectoralneeds.
• Novelapproachestoengagemarginalisedorvulnerablefarmsinaccessinginformation,adviceandsupport.
4.Anationalagreementbetweengovernments,RDC’sandkeyPrivatesectororganisationsinrelationtotheirroleinextension.5.Anationalagreementbetweengovernmentandagriculturalresearchorganisationsrelatedtotheformationofprogrammeteamsaroundkeyissuesandprioritiesincludingextensionexpertiseinresearchprojectdesign,prioritysettingandtranslation.
Collaborationandcoordination
Participantsintheextensionsystemwillinglyshareknowledgeandresourcesaroundsharedissues/mutualbenefits.
6.Regionalextensionstrategiesandagreementsbetweenextensionprofessionalswhocommittoco-ordinateandco-deliverindefinedareasofmutualinterestataregionallevel.7.Cross-sectoralprojectsrelatedtosharedissues.
Professionalism Investorsandprovidersofextensionuseagreedprofessionalstandardsandacommonthebodyofknowledgeforextensiondesignandevaluation.
(seeAction3)
Innovation Theextensionsystemcontinuallyimprovesandadoptsnewthinking.
8.Investinresearchandlearningrelatedtotheextensionsystem:howitfunctions;indicatorsofimpactandevolvingneedsandissues.
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ForumsandinformationexchangesTheprojectconductedforumsandfacilitatedinformationexchangeactivitiesthatweredesignedtoenhancecoordinationandleadershipofextensionprovisionacrossRDCs,stateandterritorygovernments,industries,privateextensionserviceproviders,universitiesandotherreliantstakeholders.Manyextensionprofessionalswhoparticipatedexpressedhowvaluabletheywere;clearlyforlastingimpacttheywillneedtocontinue.
Theprojectrecognisedthatagriculturalextensionisbeingdeliveredbyadiversityoforganisationsandproviders,sothereisnosinglesectororinstitutiontodrivetheidentifiedprioritiesandundertakethesuggestedactions,rather,acollaborativeapproachisrequiredgoingforward.Inbringingtogetherkeyparticipantscommittedtoimprovingapproachestoextensionandimprovetheprosperityofprimaryindustries,theprojecthashelpedtoensurethatcollaborationhasalreadybegun,thereisanexcellenttoolinplacetofacilitatemodernextensiondeliveryandapathwayforwardhasbeensuggested.Theprojecthashelpedcreatethefoundationsandestablishaneffectiveleadershipenvironmenttocatalyseactiontostrengthenextensiondelivery.
TheprojectwasfundedbytheAustralianGovernment’sRuralR&DforProfitprogramme.
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AbbreviationsandglossaryCommunityofPractice(CoP)-InthiscontextaCommunityofPracticeiswhereacommunityofpeoplewithcommoninterestusetheon-lineCommunityofPracticetooltocollaborateandshareknowledgeonaprofessionalbasistofurtherdevelopandsharetheirknowledgeinvariouswaysonline.
CommunityofPracticetool-isanonlinetoolthatenablesageographicallyseparatedcommunityofinterest(includingresearchers,extensionprovidersandfarmers)tocollaborateontopicsrelevanttothem.
CommunityofInterest–isagroupofpeoplewithacommoninterestorissueswhoarewillingtoworkandlearntogether(whichinthiscontextislikelytoincluderesearchers,extensionprovidersandfarmers).
ExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice(ExtensionPracticeCoP)–istheCommunityofPracticeconcerningthepracticeofextension,establishedunderthisprojectandhostedontheRIRDCExtensionHubathttps://extensionhub.com.au/.
ExpertPanel–TheExpertPanelwasmadeupofextensionexpertsandrepresentativesfromaroundAustralia,includingprojectpartners.TheroleoftheExpertPanelwastooverseeonthestrategic,tacticalandoperationalaspectsoftheprojectdeliveryandtheimplementationoftheExtensionHub.AnumberofmembershavecommittedtobeingmembersofaleadershipgroupthatisoverseeingtheongoingExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice.
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1 ProjectrationaleandobjectivesThisprojectwasestablishedtoaddressthenationalissueoffragmentationintheAustralianagriculturalextensionsystem.Thisissueisaffectingtheefficiencyofextensiondelivery,subsequentlyreducingtheadoptionofR&Dandimpactingonproductivityandprofitabilityforallstakeholders.
Theprojectaimedtobringruralresearchanddevelopmentcorporation(RDCs)andotherkeyextensionstakeholderstogethertoaddressthecurrentinadequaciesidentifiedinPriority4aand4coftheRound1R&D4ProfitProgrammeGuidelinesasfollows:
4.Strengthenon-farmadoptionandimproveinformationflows
Priority4(a)
consolidateknowledgeofextensionandadoptiontobetterdeliverpracticalresultstoprimaryproducers,foundedonwhatproducerswantfromextensionservices.
Priority4(b)
identifypracticalproposalstostimulateprivatesectorextensionservices,particularlytofillcurrentgaps.
Priority4(c)
identifypracticalmeanstoco-ordinateextensionservicesforproducers,includingthedevelopmentoftoolsand/orplatforms.
Thegoalofthisprojectwasnottotakeonthewholedeliveryofextensionknowledge,toolsandserviceprovisionbutratherhelpcreatethefoundationsandestablishaneffectiveleadershipenvironmenttocatalyseactionthatstrengthenstheextensiondelivery.
ThisprojectintegratedwithanotherRuralR&DforProfitprogramprojectledbyDairyAustralia(StimulatingprivatesectorextensioninAustralianagriculturetoincreasereturnsfromR&D)whichaimstoanalyseandstimulateprivatesectorextensionforAustralianagriculturetoaddresspriority4(b).
Bydeliveringthefollowingoutcomesthisprojectaimedtostrengthenonfarminformationflowsandadoption,toidentifythefutureinformationrequirementsoffarmersandwherefurtherinterventionswererequiredtomeettheseneeds.
1. Apracticalextensioninformationhubwhichconsolidatesandorganisesexistingknowledgeandtoolsandresourcesrelatedtoextensioninawaythatisaccessibleforinformationthedesignandimplementationofextensionbypublicandprivateproviders.
2. Anevaluationofthecurrentextensioncircumstancesandsystemstohelpbetterunderstandsystemstrengthsandweaknesseswhothekeyplayersareandtheirneedsandapossiblestrategicpathforward.Thisincludedanassessmentofcurrentandpotentialfutureextensiondeliveryapproachedandadviceonhowtheseapproachescouldbeused.
3. Asynthesisofexistingknowledgetodrawoutwhatwealreadyknowworksandwhyinrelationtobusinessfinancialperformance,responsivenesstomarketsNRMchallenges,adoptionofnewtechnology.
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4. Asynthesisoflessonsthatcanbesharedacrossindustrysectorsandjurisdictionsthisisparticularlyusefulduringthistimesofchangewheresomeindustriesarealreadyutilisingagreaterproportionofprivateextensionservicesthatotherandsomehaveoftriallingnewtechnologydrivenapproachesthatcouldberelevantforothersectors.
5. ThecreationofsuitableforumsandinformationexchangesthatwillenhancecoordinationandleadershipofextensionprovisionacrossRDCs,stateandterritorygovernments,industriesprivateextensionserviceproviders,universitiesandotherreliantstakeholders.
6. AreportwithinformationandadviceonstrategicnextstepsforAustralianprimaryindustryextension.
Theobjectivesoftheprojectdidnotchangeduringdelivery;howeverthereweresomeminorvariationstotheproject.Thesewereenactedbecausetheywereseenbytheprojectmanager,theExpertPanelandthedepartmentasopportunitiestosignificantlyincreasetheimpact,reachandlegacyoftheproject.Thevariations,asapprovedbytheDepartment,were:
• DevelopinganExtensionHubwiththeabilitytohostanumberofCommunitiesofPractice.NotingthisinnovationwasinpartaboveandbeyondtheoriginalscopeoftheprojectsoitwaspredominantlyfundedbyRIRDC,withtheprojectfundscoveringonlyasmallportionoftheassociatedcosts.
• ReplacingthestaticwebsitethatwasoriginallyplannedwithacollaborativeExtensionPracticeCoPtomanagetheextensionresourcesthatweregatheredandcuratedunderthisprojectandtofacilitatecollaborationonanongoingbasis.ThisCoPhasthepotentialtoachieveasignificantlygreaterimpactthanthestaticwebsiteandisbeingmaintainedinthelongerterm.
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2 Methodandprojectlocations
Thisprojectinvolvedaseriesofactivitiesandassociatedmethodologies,eachofwhichcontributedtoprojectoutcomes.Herethemethodsarediscussedbyactivity.
Activity1-Projectinitiationandmanagement
TheprojectwasmanagedbyadedicatedProjectManageremployedbyRIRDCwho,undertheguidanceoftheGeneralManageratRIRDC,managedallaspectsoftheprojectdelivery.
AprojectExpertPanelwasconvenedtoaddadditionaltechnicalexpertiseintotheproject.TheExpertPanelwasmadeupofextensionexpertsfromaroundAustraliaandincludedrepresentativesfromallprojectpartners.ThePanelcametogetherfourtimesduringtheproject.Theirrolewastoprovideexpertstrategicadvicetokeyareasoftheproject,toassistwiththenationalsynthesisofextensionknowledge,toassistprojectevaluationandtomakefinalprojectrecommendations
Figure1givesanoverviewofhowtheExpertPaneloperated,providingspecialistinputintotheprojectelements.
Itwasrecognisedthatadditionaltechnicalexpertisewouldberequiredtodeliverthisprojecttoahighstandardsoanumberofexternalserviceproviders,wereengagedbyRIRDCtoprovidespecialistservicestotheproject.Thiswastodeliver,orassisttodeliver,Activities2,3,4and5.TheProjectManagerhadoversightoftheseserviceproviderstoensuretimelydeliveryofaqualityproduct.
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Figure1ExpertPanelfunctionality
ExpertPanel
(Activity5)
Communications(Activity5)
Literaturereview
(Activity2)
Strategiccuration(Activity2)
FocusGroupsActivity3
FarmerSurvey(Activity3)
Analyticalevaluationframework(Activity3)
Summits(Activity5)
Hubdevelopment(Activity2)
RDC/StateEngagement(Activity5)
Extension
Practice
Community
ofPractice
Ongoing
activities
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Activity2InformationHub/platform(ExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice)
TheExtensionPracticeCoPwasdevelopedusingasteppedprocess:1. ConsultationwiththeExpertPanelontheappropriateplatform2. Developmentofasuitableplatform3. Desktopliteraturereviewanddatabasingofresources4. Strategiccurationofresourcesfortargetaudiences5. Surveyoftargetaudience6. Strategiccurationofresourcesforcertaintargetaudiences7. Develop,inconsultationwithstakeholders,standardsforcollatingnewinformationfor
additiontothedatabase8. DevelopmentoftheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPracticetomanagetheresources.
Originallytheprojectplannedtodevelopandextensioninformationhubthatwouldhostavarietyofcuratedextensioninformationonastaticwebsite.However,itbecomeclearthatthisprojectcoulddelivermorethanthat:itcoulddeliveranExtensionHubwhichcouldhostanumberofCommunitiesofPractice,aninteractivetoolthatenablescollaborationandinformationsharing.
ThegenesisforthisstemsfromtheworkoriginallyundertakenbytheUSbasedeXtensionFoundationonane-extensionplatformdeliveringaseriesofextension,collaborationandinformationservicesandknowledgeproductsviaaweb-basedportal.
TheeXtensionsiteisaninteractivelearningenvironmentdeliveringtheresearchknowledgefromtoendusers.TheprimaryfocusoftheUSeXtensionprojectisconnectingknowledgeconsumerswithknowledgeprovidersandiswhythatprojectformedacompatiblebasetotheExtensionHubprojectinitsaimsandtechnologicalapproach.
BasedontheUSexperience,AustraliaviatheVictorianDepartmentofPrimaryindustriesundertookapilotprojecttrailingtheUSdeveloped“eXtension”modelwithtwoGRDCfundedprojects(cropnutritionandfieldcropdiseases)anddevelopedthemasCoPs.ThisprojectwascalledeXtensionAUSandwasoperatedunderaspecialagreementwiththeeXtensionFoundation.
RIRDCsawthepotentialofdevelopinganExtensionHubsolelyforAustralia,sodevelopedthishubandinatrulycollaborativeeffortmigratedthetwoGRDCpilotCoPsontotheExtensionHub.
FromthereandunderthisR&D4Profitproject,anExtensionPracticeCoPwasdeveloped,thusdeliveringtostakeholder’scollaborativeandinteractivewebsitewhich,amongstotherfunctions,couldhosttheextensionresources.ThiswasdoneasitwasseenasanopportunitytoenhancethedeliverableasthisCoPallowsthememberstoownandinteractwiththeresources,extensionexpertsandendusers.TheExpertPanelwerealsokeentorecommendthattheprojectdevelopthiscollaborativeplatformtobothtoincreasereachandtoovercomeknowledgelegacyissuesthroughtheongoingcurationandmanagementofthoseresources.ThustheprojectdevelopedamuchmoreinfluentialtoolthatisnowtheExtensionPracticeCoP.
Toenablethissteps4involvedfurthercurationoftheresourcesfromanelectronicperspectivewhichwasundertakenbyaconsultantwithspecialistexpertiseinelectronicextensionservices,sothattheywereinaformatcompatiblewiththeExtensionHub.
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Activity3Evaluationofcurrentsystem
Theevaluationofthecurrentsysteminvolvedthefollowingactivitiesandmethodologies:
1. Completionofanevaluationframeworktoinformtheevaluation2. DesktopandliteraturereviewofcurrentextensionsituationinAustralia3. Evaluationofcurrentextensionsystemtounderstandstrengthsandweaknesses,and
possiblestrategicpathwaysforward.4. Researchscantoidentifygapsinextensionservicesinrelationtoidentifiedactivities
aimedatdesigningimprovedextensionknowledge,toolsandapproaches.5. Nationalfarmersurveywithasampleof1000farmersfromaroundAustralia6. Informationgathering,including
a. focusGroupswithextensionstakeholdersaslistedinTable1b. aNationalExtensionSummitwasheldon21April2016atWaggaWagga
attendingbymorethan70extensionprofessionalsfromaroundAustraliac. keypersoninterviewswith14keyinformants(includingrepresentativesfrom
NewSouthWalesandVictorianstateagenciesandthecotton,dairy,horticulture,meatandlivestock,porkandsugarindustries).
7. DiscussionPaperconsultationwith22respondents(11%responserate)
Tables1and2summarisetheengagementassociatedwiththeevaluationofthecurrentsystem.Table1–Focusgroupmeetings
Date Location Participants
18thMay AdelaideSA 719thMay AdelaideSA 108thJune NorthamWA 69thJune BunburyWA 1130thJune DarwinNT 1018thJuly LauncestonRAS 1219thJuly BallaratVIC 920thJuly BenallaVIC 627thJuly ToowoombaQLD 1028thJuly DubboNSW 11TOTAL 92
Additionallyadiscussionpaperwaspreparedwhichpresentedtheinitialprojectfindings.Thiswassenttoapproximately200keystakeholderssothattheinitialfindingscouldbetested.Ofthese,23peoplerespondedtothediscussionpaperandtheresultscouldbefurtherrefinedLocationsofthesediscussionpaperrecipientsandrespondentsarecontainedinTable2.
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Table2Discussionpaperrecipientsandrespondents
State/TerritoryExpert
panel
Focusgroup
attendees
Focus
group
apologies
Total
recipientsRespondents
NSW 2 11 14 27 7NT 1 10 2 13 0QLD 1 10 11 22 3SA 0 16 11 27 1TAS 1 13 6 20 1VIC 3 15 28 46 3WA 2 17 25 44 7National 0 0 0 1 1Total 10 92 97 200 23
Activity4–Synthesesandlessons
Thesynthesisreportsummarisedthefindingsfromalloftheprojectactivitieswiththepurposeofsupportstrategicactionsbykeystakeholdersbeyondtheproject.Thisreportidentified:constraintstocross-sectoralcollaborationandco-ordinationonagriculturalextensionandkeyprioritiesforactionandmakessuggestionsrelatedtohowtheycanbeimplemented.
WorkwithintheprojectexploredthreefundamentalelementsoftheAustralianAgriculturalExtensionSystem,namely:
1) Howthesystemisstructured
2) Whatweknowaboutthemethods,approachesandtoolsusedinextension
3) Farmerandserviceproviderperspectiveswithregardstoexpectationsanduseofextensionbothnowandinthefuture
Inthesynthesisreportinsightsfromthese‘inputs’wassummarisedintothreesections:
Section1:Adescriptionofwhatweknowaboutthecurrentsituationinthesethreeareas
Section2:Adiscussionoftheimplicationsofthisfortheextensionsystemofthefuture
Section3:Recommendationsoncriticalchangeareasnecessarytobuildoffinsightsfromthiswork
Thesynthesisreportsummarisetheresultsoftheresearchworkandinformationgatheringintosomeusefullessonsandtosetoutthecollectivewayforward.Usingdesk-topliteraturereviewandprojectsynthesistoassesscurrentandpotentialfutureextensiondeliveryapproachesandprovideadviceontheirapplicabilityforprimaryindustries.
Asetofcasestudieswerealsopreparedonsuccessfulextensionprojectandprogramsthatcouldinformotherjurisdictions.ThesewereundertakenbyCurieCommunicationsunderthedirectionofRIRDCandinvolvedfocusgroupconsultation.
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Activity5Forumsandevents
Table3Projecteventsandforums
Event Purpose Methods
Fourexpertpanelmeetings Todriveanddirecttheproject Facilitateddiscussion
Onemajornationalsummit Collaborationandsettingtheprojectframework Facilitateddiscussion
Oneresearchdevelopmentcorporationnationalworkshop
Collaborationandpresentingtheprojectresultsanddiscussingawayforwardforextensionservices
Facilitateddiscussion
OneExtensionPracticeCoPworkshop
ToupskilltheExpertPanelontheCoPfunctionality Facilitateddiscussion
TenfocusgroupsacrossallstatesofAustralia
Toevaluatetheextensionsystem Qualitativesocialresearch
RegionalNRMconferencePresentedpreliminaryprojectresultsandCoPconcepts
Presentation
APENBoardmeetingPresentedpreliminaryprojectresultsandCoPconcepts
Presentation
Projectevaluation
Theprocessofreviewingthisprojectinvolvedareviewoftheprojectoutputsandinterviewswithkeystakeholdersintheproject.EightInterviewswereconductedandoneparticipantobservationwasrecorded.Theinterviewswerecandid‘semi-structuredreflections’ofExpertPanelmembersandStakeholders.Theresultingdatawasthenorganisedusingareflectiveframework(ORID)foreachprojectcomponent.Reflectionsfocusonprojectoutputsandprocessandanyknownoutcomes.
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3 ProjectachievementsHerekeyresultsforeachcomponentoftheprojectaredescribed.
3.1 ProjectlevelachievementsThisprojectsetoutwhatitaimedtodo;namelytoreversesomethedriversoffragmentationthatareimpactingondelivery,consolidateextensionknowledgeandevaluatetheextensionsystem,identifyingpracticalandachievableactionsthatwhenactionedwillleadtoimprovementstoourextensionsystems,helpingitmeetthefuturedemandsandopportunitiesinprimaryindustries.
TheprojectachievementsandtheevaluationofeacharesetoutherebyactivityinTable4.
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Table4Projectachievementsandtheevaluation
Output KPIdescriptionStatusagainst
KPIsProgressachievedagainst
KPI
OutputsSomeoutputscontributedtoseveralActivities,inwhichcasethemost
relevantreportislistedfirst.
Impactofactivitytowardsobjectives
Activity1-Projectinitiationandmanagement
1a Projectinitiation Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
Theprojectwasinitiatedinatimelyfashionandasuitablyqualifiedandskilledprojectmanagerappointed.
Observations Theprojectplanwasclearandcontainedalltheappropriatecomponents.TheExpertPanelprovidedinputintoallaspectsoftheproject.
ChangesatRIRDCduringtheprojectwerewellmanagedbutdidcausesomedisruption,particularlyincommunication.
Reflections Thereweremanycommentsabouttheprojecttimeframeandallfeltitwasanambitiousprojectinacompressedtimeframe.
I(Expertpanelmember)thinktheprojectmadegoodprogress,giventhetimeframe.
MembersoftheexpertpanelsuggestedthatthescopeoftheprojectandTermsofReferenceofthegroupwerenotentirelycleartothematthebeginningoftheproject.Itwasalsouncleartosomehowthewrappingupactivitywouldtakeplace,thesynthesis
1b Detailedprojectplanningincludingprojectplan,riskmanagement.evaluationplancompletedandprovidedtotheDepartment
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
AlloftheseplanswerecompletedandsubmittedtotheDepartment.Theevaluationplanwascompletedbasedonprojectoutputsandthefinalreportisattachedhere
Projectplan
Riskmanagementplan
Evaluationplan
(ProvidedwithMilestoneReport1)
1c Ongoingmanagement,coordinationandreporting
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
Theprojectwassuccessfullymanagedaccordingtotheprojectmanagementplanensuringalldeliverablesweremetontime.
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1d Deliverendofprojectevaluationandreport
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
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Theevaluationplanwascompleted,basedonprojectoutputsasper1b.Theevaluationreportiscompleteandisappendedtothisfinalreport.
ProjectEvaluationReport(Attachment11)
ExpertPanelreport(Attachment10)
report,ExpertPanelReportandProjectReview.
Allagreedthatbeinginvolvedinthisprojectwasapositiveexperience.
Interpretation ExpertPanelmemberssuggestedthattheywouldbeinvolvedinasimilarprojectinthefutureiftheopportunityarose.
TheprojectmanagementwasresponsivetocircumstancesandmadegooduseoftheExpertPanel.Thisadaptivenesswasanecessaryfeatureandagreatstrengthofthisproject.
Ienjoyedtheopportunitytomakeacontribution(asamemberoftheExpertPanel)andwouldgladlydoitagain.
Icanseethisisthestartofsomethingandthatisrefreshing.
DevelopingsynergieswithotherRDCprojects,namelytheDairyExtensionproject(inexploringprivatesectorinvestment)andtheGRDCinformationservices(forFieldCropDiseasesandCropNutritionportalsintheExtensionHub)wasreallyimportant.Thisis
1e Termsofreferencefortheindependentevaluationofthecurrentextensionsystemcompletedandapprovedbythedepartment
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
Theanalyticalframework(termsofreference)wascompletedbyRIRDCinconjunctionwiththeserviceproviderswhohadtherequiredtechnicalskills.ItwassenttothedepartmentaspartofMilestoneReport2.
Analyticalframeworkforthenationalevaluationofthecurrentextensionsystem(ProvidedwithMilestoneReport2)
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areflectionofgoodRIRDCprojectmanagement.
Thiswasabrilliantfeatureoftheprojectandmodelledthekindofcollaborationsneededinthefuture.Collaborativeplanninganddevelopmentofextensionmustbeprioritisedandresourcedforittowork.
Action Itisimportanttowrapuptheprojectwellandcommunicatetheoutcomes.
ConsiderformalisingtheroleandcommunicationsoftheExpertPanelinanyfutureprojects.
CommunicationacrossRDC’sandwithotherStakeholdersonExtensioninitselfhassavedresourcesandcreatedbetteroutcomes.Thisshouldcontinue.
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Activity2-InformationHub/platform
2a Developaframeworktocollectorganizeandpresentextensioninformationantools
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
Aframeworkfortheknowledgecollectionandcurationofextensionwasbeendeveloped.
Aframeworkfortheknowledgecollectionandcurationofextension.
(ProvidedwithMilestoneReport2)
Observations TheHubiscompleteandpopulatedwithcuratedExtensionPracticeresourcesandisnowoperational.
Thecompilationofandcurationofresourceswassuccessfulandisnowcomplete.
Reflections TheExtensionHubwasintendedtoprovideapracticaloutcomefromthisproject.Ithasachievedthisoutcomeanditrequiredmuchtimeandefforttobringittocompletion.
Interpretation Theinitialfocusonthewebsiteasanextensiondocumentreceptaclewasabitlimited.
Itwasduringthelifeoftheprojectthatthegrouprecognisedtheneedtoadoptamoreactivefocusontheuserofthesystemanda‘CommunityofPractice’approachwasadopted.TheexpertpanelagreedthatpursuingtheCoPapproachwasimportantasitmakestheHubmuchmorepurposefulandversatile.TheExtensionPracticeCoPisavaluableresourceforanyoneprovidingextensionservices.
TheHubisagoodstartandifitcangetgoing(inthenext6months)itwillbeagoodlegacy.
2b Collateadatabaseofexistinginformation,sourcesandtools,eachassessedforrelevancefocusanduse
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
Theservicesoftwoorganisationswithextensionexpertisewereprocuredtoundertakethetask.TheUniversityofMelbourneprovidedabroadliteraturereviewofextensioninformationandtools,identifyingkeyknowledgeresources;GavinBeeverfurtheredthisworkbyprovidingastrategicreviewoftheresultswiththeexpressaimofensuringtheirsuitabilityfortheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice.
FurthermorethisExtensionPracticeCommunityof
DesktopCurationofExtensionandAdoptionKnowledge(Attachment5)
StrategicCurationofExtensionandKnowledgeinAustralia(Attachment6).
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Practicewasdevelopmenttomanagetheseresourcesinaflexibleandinteractivewaythatwillextendbeyondthelifeoftheproject.
‘TheHubhaspotentialtoproviderealvalueinthefuture,althoughmuchmoreworkisrequiredtomakeitmoreusableandapplicableforthevariousneedsoftheextensioncommunity.’
TheExtensionHub,particularlywiththeExtensionPracticeCoPwasfelttobeabletocaterforagrowingdiversityofpractitionersandalsotocaterforthoseinisolatedsituations.
ActionThereismoreworktobedoneincommunicatingandestablishingtheExtensionHubasaresourceforotherindustrygroupsandtheExtensionPracticePortalasaresourceforpracticeleadersandpractitioners.
SeveralExpertPanelmembersagreedtobecomeinvolvedasleadersoftheCoPforExtensionPracticeontheExtensionHub.
2c Develop,inconsultationwithstakeholders,standardsforcollatingnewinformationforadditiontothedatabase
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
Asper2baboveahighlyskilledcontractorwasengagedtoreviewtheinformationandresources,withtargetaudiences,andtofillanygapsinknowledge.Thisworkalsoinvolveddevelopingataggingandcurationsystemtoensureconsistentcollectionofresourcesintothefuture.
StrategicCurationofExtensionandKnowledgeinAustralia(Attachment6)
DesktopCurationofExtensionandAdoptionKnowledge(Attachment5)
2d Developandreleasepubliclyaccessibleeasytomaintaininformationtechnologyplatform(website)
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
TheprojectdevelopedanExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice,whichisahighlysophisticatedtoolthatenablesacommunityofinteresttointeractandshareinformation.Thisdeliveryexceededthedevelopmentofastaticwebsiteandthefunctionalitywillfacilitateongoinguseoftheplatform,beyondthelifeoftheproject.
ExtensionHubliveandactive
https://extensionhub.com.au/
RIRDCConsolidatingExtensionProjectReporting–FinalReportandTechnicalSpecification
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(ExtensionHub)(Attachment3)
EAFFUserGuide(ExtensionHub)(Attachment4)
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Activity3-EvaluationoftheCurrentextensionsystem
3a ConductanindependentevaluationoftheAustralianextensionsystemforprimaryproducersinaccordancewiththetermsofreferencedevelopedin1e
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
Thenationalevaluationoftheextensionsystemassessedthecurrentsituationagainstfuturedemandsandneedsofagricultureandfarmers.
TheindependentevaluationinvolvedwidestakeholderconsultationaroundAustraliaandacrossmostagriculturalindustrysectors.
Inadditionanationalfarmersurveywascompletedtoinformthenationalassessment.
Adesktopreviewofextensionapproachesandpoliciesalsoinformedthenationalevaluationandthefinalsynthesisreport.
PrimaryIndustryExtensionandAdoptioninAustralia(Attachment1)
NationalFarmersurveyonExtensionServices–MarketResearchReport(Attachment2)
DesktopCurationofExtensionandAdoptionKnowledge(Attachment5)
Observations Theevaluationoftheextensionsystemmadegoodprogressinthecompressedtimeframeandwascompletedontime.Thereportrepresentsanddescribesthedatacapturedduringtheconsultationphaseandgooduseismadeofappendixtoincludemuchofthisinformation.
Reflections Reflectingonthetimeframe,thewholeprocessfeltrushedincludingtheschedulingofthefocusgroups,throughtotimeframesforfeedbackandproducingfinalreports.TherewasalotofgoodwillandinterestfromExpertpanelandStatecontactstoassisttheprojectandtheevaluationteam.
Itwasagoodprojecttobeinvolvedin.Thereweremanypeoplewhovoluntarilycontributedthroughthesurvey,focusgroups,Summitworkshop,andExpertPanel.
Interpretation TheExpertPanelfeedbackonthedraftDiscussionPaperwasimportanttothecontentoftheEvaluationreport,andcontributedtotheredraftingofthePrioritydetail.
Section3oftheEvaluationReportwhichisfocusedonidentifyingpotentialimprovementswasderivedfromtheanalysis
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ofthedataandisaccompaniedbylonglistsofactionsidentifiedintheconsultation.Thissectioninparticularwouldhavebenefitedfromfurtherinvestigationanddistilling.
Somestakeholdersfeltthattheevaluationdidnotgofarenough:
Iwouldhavelikedtheprojecttoconsidertheeffectivenessofthenewermodelsofextension-inconnectingwithR&Dandincreatinglastingpracticechange.
ActionAdecisionwasmadetodevelopanexpertpanelstatementtofurtherrefineandmorebroadlythemessagesfromtheevaluation.
RIRDCalsoagreedtodevelopafollowonproject/s:
Wehavebeeninvitedtohavesomefeedbackinafollowupprojectwhichseekstooperationalisethehub(todeliveronevaluationPriority3involvingbuildingextensioncapability).
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Activity4-Synthesisandlessons
4a Undertakealiteraturereviewandconsultationprocesstoidentifycrossindustryandcross-jurisdictionallessons
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
Thisoutputwasaddressedinanumberofprojectactivities,includingbeingaresearchquestionwithinthedesktopcurationreportundertakenbytheUniversityofMelbourne.
Inaddition,anumberofcasestudiesofsuccessfuldeliveryofextensionserviceswereidentifiedthroughconsultationactivities.
TakingStrategicActiontoImproveExtensionServicesforAustralianFarmersandFishers(Synthesisreport)(Attachment8)
PrimaryIndustryExtensionandAdoptioninAustralia(Attachment1)
NationalFarmersurveyonExtensionServices–MarketResearchReport(Attachment2)
CasestudyreportofsuccessfulextensionprojectsfromaroundAustralia(Attachment9)
ObservationsThesynthesiswasdevelopedaftertheHubandtheevaluationwascompleted.
Reflections Thisreportwasimportantfortheexpertpanelreflectionsandthetworeportsweredevelopedconcurrently,makingitdifficultfortheexpertpaneltodrawonthesynthesisreportinordertomaketheirfinalstatement.
Interpretation Itwouldhavebeengoodtohaveaccesstothisreportearlieranddrawonthisfortheexpertpanelreport.ThesynthesiswasconsideredveryimportantasitalsoconsideredthepreliminaryoutcomesoftheDairyAustraliareport.
Thecombinedextensionprojects(thisprojectandtheDairyAustraliaproject)haveputextensionbackonthemap.
ActionThesynthesisreportandotherprojectoutputsprovideacurrentcontextfornewideasaroundextensiontobeproposedandexploredandseveralprojectstakeholderswereinterestedinpursuingthoughtleadershipinthisarea.Thebigquestionis-whatnow?Thereare
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DesktopCurationofExtensionandAdoptionKnowledge(Attachment5)
opportunitiesatExtensioneventse.g.TownsvilleAPENConferencenextyear.
Theexpertpanelstatementisintendedtoencouragebroaderadoptionoftheresultsofthewholeprojectasdescribedinthesynthesisreport.4b Undertake
literaturereviewandconsultationprocesstofillidentifiedknowledgegaps
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
ThistaskwassubstantiallycompletedthroughthedesktopreviewofliteratureundertakenbytheUniversityofMelbourneandthroughconsultationassociatedwiththeNationalAssessment.
Theseactivitieshighlightedmanysignificantgapsinextensionprovisionhowevernotmanygapsinextensionknowledge.
DesktopCurationofExtensionandAdoptionKnowledge(Attachment5)
TakingStrategicActiontoImproveExtensionServicesforAustralianFarmersandFishers(Synthesisreport)(Attachment8)
PrimaryIndustryExtensionandAdoptioninAustralia(Attachment1)
NationalFarmersurveyonExtensionServices–MarketResearch
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Report(Attachment2)
4c ProvideareportonstrategicnextstepsforAustralianextensiontoprimaryproducers
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
TheSynthesisReportbringstogetheralltheprojectoutputsandrecommendssomestrategicactionsornextstepsforAustralianextension.
TakingStrategicActiontoImproveExtensionServicesforAustralianFarmersandFishers(Synthesisreport)(Attachment8)
DesktopCurationofExtensionandAdoptionKnowledge(Attachment5)
PrimaryIndustryExtensionandAdoptioninAustralia(Attachment1)
NationalFarmersurveyonExtensionServices–MarketResearchReport(Attachment2)
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Activity5-Strategicforumsandevents
5a Creationofapanelofextensionexpertstoidentifygapsandopportunitiesinthesystemandcontributetothestrategicnextstepsreport(4c)
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
TheExpertPanelmetfourtimesduringthecourseoftheproject.TheExpertPanelwasexpandedtoincluderepresentationsfromallstateandterritories.Consultationsandmeetingswithallpanelmembersoccurredonaregularbasisduringthisperiod
ExpertPanel ObservationsTheeventswerewellmanagedandreportedandtheindependentevaluationNationalSummitsuggestsitwasasuccessfulevent.
Thecommunicationproductsandoutputs(e.g.flyer,mediarelease)wereusedincommunicatingtheprojectinnetworksandenlistingsupportforparticipationintheproject.
Reflections Adecisionwasmadetonotspendprojectresources(andlimitedtime)oncommunicatingacrossthebroadersector,buttoselectivelycommunicatetheprojectprogressandopportunitiestohaveinputinevents.
PeoplewerekeentobeinvolvedinthefocusgroupsandtheSummitinWagga.
Theparticipatorynatureoftheproject,involvingstakeholderswasimportant.Stakeholdersfeltitwasimportanttobeinvolved,tolistentowhatwasbeingcommunicated,andhaveasay,andmanyfeltcompelledtoensuretheirgroup,industry,ororganisations’viewswererepresented.
5b Holdtwoforumsofresearchanddevelopmentcorporations,stateanterritorygovernmentsandotherselectedstakeholderstohelpRDCandextensionprovidersadvanceandcontinuouslyimprovetheirextensionactivities
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
ThefirstforumwasdeliveredasaNationalSummitandwassuccessfullyconductedon21April2016inWaggaWagga.TheSummitwaswellattendedwith70peoplefromaroundAustralianattending,includinggovernmentandprivatesectorparticipants.TheSummitwasorganisedinpartnershipwithNSWDPIandtherelatedR&DforProfitprojectfocusedonprivatesectorextension.TheevaluationreportedahighlevelofsatisfactionwiththeSummit.
Summit1WorkshopandEvaluationReport
(ProvidedwithMilestone2report)
Meetingminutes
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ThesecondforumtookadifferentshapeandwasdeliveredasanationalRDC(ResearchDevelopmentCorporation)collaborationforumon2November2016.HeretheresultsofthenationalassessmentofextensionservicesandtheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPracticewerepresented.Importantly,someoptionsforthewayforwardwiththeCommunityofPracticewerediscussedandsomestrategicplanningonhowtoimproveextensionstrategieswithintheRDCsystemswasheld.
Theoverallexperienceofbeinginvolvedintheprojectwasimportanttoourclients.
Interpretation Theprojectconnectedpeopleinmanyways.Inthefocusgroups,therewerenewpractitionersandexperiencedpractitioners,policymakersandprofessionalsacrossvariousinstitutions.TherewasvalueintheprocessofengagingStakeholdersinaconversationandprovidinganopportunityforattendeestolearnaboutfutureneedsandopportunities.
Itisdifficulttoproveoutcomesfromthisinteractionbutthefeedbacksuggestedthattheprojectactivitycontributedtostrengtheningoflocalandregionalconnectionsandnetworks.
ActionThereisastrongneedtocommunicatetheprojectoutputsandoutcomesand‘launch’theExtensionHub.
5c PromotethedevelopedextensionresourcesforprivateandpublicsectorstakeholdersandcreateopportunitiesincollaborationwiththeleadershipteamofR&D4P14-01-
Achieved
Partiallyachieved
Notachieved
ThecurrentpublishedextensionresourcesthathavebecomeamajorparttheExtensionPracticeCoPofachieveover500hitspermonth.
Theprojectpartners/teamhascreatedanongoingmanagementsystemfortheExtensionPracticeCoPincludinghowtomanagethe
ExtensionHubEvaluationReport(Attachment7)
StrategicCurationofExtensionandKnowledgeinAustralia(Attachment6)
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011projectforthesepartiestoshareknowledgewiththegoaltoimproveextensionservicesforprimaryproducers
resourcesandcreatefurthercollaborativelinksbetweenexpertsandpractitionersonanongoingbasis.
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TheprojectsynthesisedtheresearchdoneintotheextensionsystemandidentifiedasetofstrategicactionsthatwhenimplementedwillimproveextensionservicesforfarmersandfishersinAustralia.ThesearesummarisedinTable5.
Table5AreasforstrategicactioninAustralia’sagriculturalextensionsystem
Principlesforanadaptive
extensionsystem
Outcomessought Strategicactions
Leadershipandprioritysetting
Thereisavisioninplacefortheextensionsystemcovering,priorities,institutionalarrangementsandappropriateleadership.
1.Clearownership,resourcingandleadershipforextensionfromgovernmentandindustry.
2.Developmentandendorsementofaprogramforextensionleadershipdevelopment.
Resourcing Privateandpublicinvestmentinextensionandextensioncapacityissufficienttomeetstakeholderneeds.
(Seeaction3)
Capability • Careerpathwaysfornewentrantsintoextensionarevisibleandeffective.
• Professionalnetworksareavailablefornewandexistingextensionpersonnel.
• Thereiscontinualimprovementinextensioncapabilitythatdrawsonanestablishedandevolvingbodyofknowledge.
3.Anationalextensioncapabilityandcapacityplan,toinclude:
• Anationalagreementonprofessionalstandardsforprojectdesignandevaluationandtrainingofindustry,government,andprivatedelivererstosupportimplementation.
• ResourcingtheExtensionHubandExtensionPracticeCoP’s.
• Identifyandresourcecapacityneeds.
Engagement • Greaterinteractionbetweenfarmers,extensionandresearch.
• Cross-sectoralcollaborationandco-ordinationofextensionprovidersforparticularregionalorcross-sectoralneeds.
• Novelapproachestoengagemarginalisedorvulnerablefarmsinaccessinginformation,adviceandsupport.
4.Anationalagreementbetweengovernments,RDC’sandkeyPrivatesectororganisationsinrelationtotheirroleinextension.
5.Anationalagreementbetweengovernmentandagriculturalresearchorganisationsrelatedtotheformationofprogrammeteamsaroundkeyissuesandprioritiesincludingextensionexpertiseinresearchprojectdesign,prioritysettingandtranslation.
Collaborationandcoordination
Participantsintheextensionsystemwillinglyshareknowledgeandresourcesaroundsharedissues/mutualbenefits.
6.Regionalextensionstrategiesandagreementsbetweenextensionprofessionalswhocommittoco-ordinateandco-deliverindefinedareasofmutualinterestataregionallevel.
7.Cross-sectoralprojectsrelatedtosharedissues.
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Professionalism Investorsandprovidersofextensionuseagreedprofessionalstandardsandacommonthebodyofknowledgeforextensiondesignandevaluation.
(seeAction3)
Innovation Theextensionsystemcontinuallyimprovesandadoptsnewthinking.
8.Investinresearchandlearningrelatedtotheextensionsystem:howitfunctions;indicatorsofimpactandevolvingneedsandissues.
3.2 Contributiontoprogrammeobjectives
Thisprojectcontributedsignificantlytoprogrammeobjectives.Ithasdonesothroughspecificactivitiesdesignedtoimprovetheproductivityandprofitabilityoffarmersthroughimprovementsintheextensionsystemandthedeliveryofaninnovativeextensiontool,theExtensionHub(whichwaspartfundedbythisproject)andtheExtensionPracticeCoP.Additionally,inidentifyingactionsthatwillimprovetheextensionsysteminthelongterm,theprojecthasthepotentialtoimpactthesystemintothefuture,iftheseactionsaretaken.
Specificallytheprojecthascontributedtoprogramoutcomesthrough:
• GeneratinganinnovativeextensiontooltothedirectbenefitoffarmerswhousetheExtensionHub(whichwaspartfundedbythisproject)andtheExtensionPracticeCoP.Thisisalsoareallyusefultoolforextensionpractitionersandprovidesadirectbenefittofarmersthroughitsimpactonfacilitatingastrongerextensionsystem.ItalsoinpartfulfilsademandfromfarmersforgreaterdirectinteractionwithresearchersandresearchorganisationsasCoPincreasethecollaborationsbetweenallparticipantsintheCoP,whichincludesfarmers,extensionpractitionersandresearchers.
• Strengtheningpathwaystoadoptionthroughtheenhancedextensionsystem.Lookingforward,hascreatedthefoundationsforfurtherimprovementsthroughtheevaluationandassessmentofthesystem,identifyingfarmer’sinformationneedsandhowtheycanbebettermet.Importantlythisworkincludesasetofstrategicactionsthatwhenimplementedhavethepotentialtoimproveextensionservicesintothefuture.
• Establishingandfosteringindustryandextensioncollaborativenetworks.Theprojectheldanumberofforumsthatwentsomedistanceinfacilitatingcollaborationacrosstheextensionsystemandestablishingaframeworkofforumsforfuturecollaboration.
Theprojectwasasthestartofamuchneedednationalconversationaboutthefutureofextension.TheworkdeliveredinthisprojecthasonlyscratchedthesurfaceofwhatneedstobedonetoachievetransformationalchangetoextensionservicesinAustraliainordertomeettheinformationneedsoffarmersintothefuture.Theprojectidentifiedthatthereisincreasingdemandfromfarmersforextensiontosupportbothtacticalandstrategicdecisionmaking.Oneoftheoutputsofthisprojectisasetofstrategicinterventionsthatarerequiredtoachievethisintothefuture.
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4 CollaborationThisextensionprojectwasatrulynationalprojectthatwasdeliveredinacollaborativebasisatanumberoflevels.
4.1 CollaborationwithprojectpartnersThisprojectwasacollaborationbetweenthefollowingpartners:
• NewSouthWalesLocalLandServices;• NorthernTerritoryDepartmentofPrimaryIndustry;• TasmanianInstituteofAgricultureandFisheries;• UniversityofMelbourne;• VictorianGovernmentDepartmentofEconomicDevelopment,Jobs,Transportand
Resources
Theprojectpartnersprovidedexpertinputtotheprojectwhichinvolvedaconsiderableamountofin-kindtime.TheyarealsocommittedtotheongoingsuccessoftheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPracticeandareworkingwithRIRDConanongoingbasis.
4.2 Collaborationwithotherorganisationsandspecialistserviceproviders
4.2.1 ResearchDevelopmentCorporations
Theprojectrananumberofforumsincludingtwocollaborativeworkshopswithall15RDCs,stateagenciesandtheUniversityofMelbourne
ThenationalSummitorworkshopachievedexcellentcollaborationwiththeNSWDepartmentofPrimaryIndustriesastheyhelpedtohostanddesignthesummit.TheoutcomesofthesummitdirectlyinformedongoingstrategicplanningmeetingswithinNSWDPI.
AdditionallythisprojectcollaboratedwiththeR&DforProfitprojectfocusedonprivatesectorextension(ledbyDairyAustralia),stakeholdersinvolvedintheextensionhubplatform,andresearchanddevelopmentcorporations.
4.2.2 CollaborationwithDairyAustraliaRuralR&D4Profitproject
ThetwoextensionprojectsthatweresuccessfulinthefirstroundoftheRuralR&DforProfitprogramme,ofwhichthisisone,wereinter-related.Theywerelinkedthroughprojectmanagementarrangementsaswellassharingsomeactionstoavoidduplication.
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Projectmanagement:
o DairyAustraliawasaparticipantinallExpertPanelmeetings.Thesemeetingsprovidedtheopportunityforregularinteractionandforidentifysynergiesandanyoverlapastheprojectsareimplemented.
o ForalltheRDCmeetingstherewasgoodcollaborationwithDairyAustraliatocoordinatecommunicationsandidentifytheneedsofbothprojects.
o DuringthedeliveryoftheRIRDCextensionprojecttherewereanumberofmeetingswithDairyAustraliatodiscussprojectprogressandsharinginsightsandlessons.Thisprovidedatwowayopportunitytolearnfromeachother,coordinatecommunicationandotheractivitiesaswellandspotanyemergingriskssotheycouldbemanaged.
ThefollowingpagedemonstratestheprojectlinksbetweenDairyAustraliaandRIRDCinthedeliveryofthetwoprojects,notingthattheDairyAustraliaprojectiscontinuing.
Thevalueofcollaborativeapproachtoprojectdeliveryhasbeenwelldemonstratedduringthedeliveryofthisproject.InparticularcollaboratingwiththeDairyAustralialedR&D4Profitprojecthasledtosomerealsynergiesindelivery,forexamplebyusingthesameserviceprovidertoundertakemuchoftheevaluationmeantthatthejobwasdonequicker,atlesscostandmoreeffectively,ratherthanriskingduplicationandincurringadditionalcosts.
Projectlevellinks
Figure2demonstrateshowtheprojectactivitieshavefedintoeachotherandarelinkedtoacommonoveralloutcome.
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Figure2Projectactivitylinks
ExtensionHub
NationalEvaluationofagricultureandfisheriesextension
Synthesisofexistingknowledge
andlessons
StakeholderEngagementand
Events
- TheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice(CoP)wasdesignedsokeyoutputsfromtheDairyprojectcouldbeincludedtoensurethatthenewknowledgegeneratedcanbeaccessiblefortargetaudiences.
- InthescopingstageadvicewassoughtonthetypeofoutputsthatcouldbesharedontheExtensionPracticeCoP.
- TheExtensionPracticeCoPwillcontinuetobeusedtostrengthenthecapacitybuildingcomponentoftheDairyproject.
- TherewasconsiderableinteractionwiththeprojectmanagementandresearchteamsfortheDairyprojectparticularlywhenconsideringthecurrentcircumstancesinrelationtoprivateandpublicprovision.
- Bothprojectshadanactivitythatincludedanevaluationoftheextensionsystem.Theprojectmanagersidentifiedwheretheseintersectedandoneserviceprovider(UniversityofMelbourne)wascontractedtoundertakeonepieceofworkthatfedintobothprojects.
- TheDairyexpertpanelwasutilisedwherethetimingofdeliverablesalignedwiththisproject.
- DuringthedeliveryofActivity2,thesynthesisofinformation,theRIRDCprojectsoughtinputfromDairyAustraliaonanypreferencesfortheinclusionofinformationforstimulatingprivatesectorserviceprovisiontoassistinthedeliveryoftheirproject.
- Bothprojectshadarangeofeventsandforums.RIRDCandDairyAustraliaworkedhardtocoordinatetheseeventstomaximisestakeholderinputopportunitiesandavoidmixedmessagesandduplication.
- Duringregularmeetings,upcomingeventswerediscussedandopportunitiestolinkorshareeventwereidentified.
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4.2.3 APEN
Theprojectcollaboratedwiththenationalextensionpeakbody,theAustralasiaandPacificExtensionNetwork(APEN).APENisaprofessionalorganisationforextensionpractitioners.DuringthecourseoftheprojectRIRDCinvolvedAPENinmajoreventsandengagements.ManyofthemembersoftheExpertPanelareAPENmemberswhichstrengthenedcollaborativelinksbetweenthisprojectandAPEN.
APENremainsinvolvedintheExtensionPracticeCoPonanongoingbasis.
4.2.4 StateAgencies
AllStatesprovidedakeypersontoco-ordinateprojectactivitiessuchastheengagementintheirstate.Theprojectestablishedanongoingrelationshipwiththesecontacts.Basedonthiscollaborationanongoingprojectwasdevelopedforsubmissionforfunding.
TheprojectestablishedhigherlevelsofcollaborationwithbothVictoriaandNSWthroughthedeliveryofprojectactivities.ThecollaborationwiththeVictorianDepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentJobsandTransport(DEDJTR)involvedco-developmentoftheExtensionHubandKnowledgeCurationTooltoguidethecurationoftheextensionresources.
CollaborationoccurredwithNSWDPIthroughtheco-hostingoftheNationalSummitheldon21April2016.
4.2.5 RegionalNRM(LLS,CMA,NRMRegions)
Regionsplayedaroleincommunicationofthisprojectthroughcommunicatingtofarmer’saboutthesurveyintheirregionsandidentifyingpotentialattendeesforFocusGroups.TheywerealsoengagedatamorestrategiclevelthroughthepartnershipwiththeLLSinNSW,consultationwiththe(56)RegionalCEO’sattheNRMKnowledgeConferenceinCoffsHarbourinMay,andparticipationintheExpertPanel.
4.3 CollaborationwithbroaderstakeholdersTheprojectalsoestablishedabroaderstakeholderlistthathadminorcollaborationoutcomes.
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4.4 CollaborationOutcomesThereareanumberofmajoroutcomesfromthesomeoftheabovecollaborationsincluding:
• InterestfrommanyRDCsintheExtensionPracticeCoPandthelargerExtensionHubplatformonwhichitishosted(togetherwiththreeotherCoPs)
• Anationalcollaborationplatformtoenablecollaborationacrosstheextensionsector• AnongoingExtensionPracticeCoPbasedaroundtheexpertpanel• InvolvementintheNationalNRMRegionsCEOsForum• Engagementintheongoingcollaborativeforum• OngoinginvolvementandinteractionwiththeUniversityofMelbournetopublish
projectoutputs• EngagementofthewiderstakeholdergroupintheExtensionHub.
Notablythegreatestoutcomeofthecollaborativeapproachwasthemomentumgained,withsomanystakeholdersvestedintheprojectoutcomestherewasarealwilltosucceedindeliveringtheExtensionHubandtheExtensionPracticeCoPandtoparticipateintheevents.
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5 ExtensionandadoptionactivitiesItiswidelyacknowledgedthatqualityextensionservicescontributetotheadoptionofruralinnovationandthelongtermsustainabilityoffarms,andtofarmgatereturns.
Therearethreeimpactsfromtheextensionandadoptionactivitiesundertakenbythisproject:
1. Industryandgovernmentwillbeawareofthecurrentsituationwithextensionservicesinrelationtoprimaryindustriesandwhatenduserneedsforextensionare
2. IndustryandgovernmentwillbeinformedaboutwheretostarttostrengthenextensioninAustraliaandthereforebeinabetterpositiontodirectpolicyaccordingly
3. TheExtensionHubandassociatedExtensionPracticeCoPcouldbeareallyinfluentialongoingcollaborationandknowledgecurationsiteforextensioninAustralia.
1.Understandingthecurrentsituation
Activities3,4and5havegivenananalysisandoverviewofextensioninAustraliaasitcurrentlyoperates.Theseactivitiesalsogaveanassessmentofhowthecurrentsystemisservicingtheinformationneedsanddemandsoffarmersandfromindustry.
TherelevantactivitiesinvolvedengagementwithkeyextensionpractitionersandexpertsfromaroundAustraliaacrossmostindustries.
2.Strengtheningthesystem
CollectivelyActivities3,4and5havemadeheadwayintotheimprovedcollaborationwithintheextensionnetworkandprovidedguidancetowardsawayforwardforfurtherimprovementstoreducethefragmentationinthefuture.Whilethesearenotextensionandadoptionactivitiesinthemselves,theywillhavehadameasureableimpactontheimprovementofextensionservicesandpavethewayforfurtherimprovement,particularlyinthecollaborativedeliveryofextensionservices.
3.ExtendingtheExtensionPracticeCommunityofPractice
Activity2,thecomprehensiveliteraturereviewandcurationofextensionmaterialsandthedevelopmentoftheExtensionPracticeCoPthathoststhematerials,isanexcellentresourcetoassistinthecapacitybuildingofallextensionproviders.Boostingitsadoptionsothatahighproportionofextensionpractitionersuseithasrequiredsomeextensionactivity.InitiallyitsexistencewaspromotedthroughtheExpertPanelandotherstakeholderengagementandatthispointitiswellusedandsupported.
ToremainrelevantintothefuturethisExtensionPracticeCoPwillneedtobemaintained,RIRDChascommittedtodoingsountilJune2017.RIRDCwillalsopromotetheExtensionPracticeCoPasappropriatetoensureitslegacy.
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6 Lessonslearnt6.1 ProjectChallengesTheprojectwaschallenginganalytically,logisticallyandadministrativelythiswascompoundedbyrapidityofprojectdeliveryduetoreducedprojectduration,comparedtothetimeframeintheapplication.
Theanalyticalchallengesinvolvedworkingonacomplextopicthatdoesnothavetherigourofaconsolidateddisciplinelikepureresearch.Forexampleforumandsurveyparticipantshaddifferentunderstandingsandviewsonwhatextensionwasandhowitshouldbedelivered.Extensionisinherentlycomplexanditisincreasinglybeingdeliveredbyadiversityoforganisationssoitisdifficulttomeasureimpactandattribution.Theprojectwasalsoanationalscaleprojectacrossacombinationofmorethan20jurisdictionsandindustries,addingcomplexity.Itwasthereforeimportantthattheprojectdevelopananalyticalframeworkthatansweredmeaningfulresearchquestionsratherthanspendresourcescollectingdatawhichmightbeinterestingbutnotcontributetoprojectoutcomes.
Therewerealsoconsiderablelogisticalchallengesgiventhenationalscaleoftheprojectandtheemphasisplacedontheengagementtaskssoadditionalcarewasrequiredtoensurethatarepresentativesampleofpractitionerswasachieved.
Theprojectalsoinvolvedhightransactioncoststhattooktimetomanage.Thesecostswereassociatedwiththeprocurement,management,andintegrationofateamofmorethan10consultants.
However,givenallthesechallengestheprojectdeliveredqualityoutcomesandsomecasesdeliveredsignificantlygreateroutcomesthanitsetouttodo.
6.2 LessonsLearntLessonslearntfromthisprojectincluded:
• Whenreviewingextensionusingaqualitativesocialresearchapproachatanationallevelahighlevelofengagementisrequiredandthistakestime.
• Significantprojectmanagementtimeandexpertiseisrequiredtomanageprojectelementsinanintegratedway.
• Contractualarrangementswithprojectpartnersororganisationscantakeconsiderableprojecttimeandshouldberesolvedbeforeprojectcommencementifpossible.
• Thereneedstobemoretimeallocatedtoworkingwithkeystakeholdersandthebroaderstakeholdergroup.Thiswillbuildsocialcapitalintotheprojecttoincreasethechanceofprojectimpactandlegacyofimpact.
• ItwouldhavebeenbeneficialtohaveincludedanadditionalactivitywheretheprojectresultsarefeedbacktostakeholdersonceallofthefinalreportsweredeliveredtoRIRDCfromtheserviceproviders.Whilethiswasdonetoadegree,therewasroomforgreaterfeedbacktostakeholdersattheendoftheproject.
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• Thereissignificantdemandforthisworktocontinueandthisprojectshouldbeseenasthestartoftheconversationonextension.Thereisalsoconsiderablemomentumtocontinuewiththisworkthatifnotdonewillbeanopportunitylost.
• Alongertimeframeandconsequentbetterabilitytosequencethedeliveryofoutputsmayhaveresultedingreaterengagementandbetteroutcomes.
• ThisprojectprovidedafocalpointforthegreatercollaborationacrossRDC’sandgovernmentsector,andthisisanareawherethereisgreatscopeforincreasedcollaborationonextensioninthefuture.
• Thereisahighdegreeofinterestfromprojectparticipants(andothers)tobepartofanongoingconversationaboutAustralia’sExtensionneeds.Thisprojectatleastpartiallymetthatuntappedneed.Thechallengeistoprovideamechanism(s)whereinvolvementisvaluedandusedeffectivelytoimprovethesysteminfuture.
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7 Appendix-additionalprojectinformation
7.1 Projectmaterialandintellectualproperty
Table6Majorreportscreatedaspartofthisproject
Attachment Title Author
1 PrimaryIndustryExtensionandAdoptioninAustralia GHD
2 NationalFarmersurveyonExtensionServices–MarketResearchReport QuantumMarketResearch
3 RIRDCConsolidatingExtensionProjectReporting–FinalReportandTechnicalSpecification(ExtensionHub) DEDJTR
4 EAFFUserGuide(ExtensionHub) DEDJTR
5 DesktopCurationofExtensionandAdoptionKnowledge UniversityofMelbourne
6 StrategicCurationofExtensionKnowledgeinAustralia Cumbreconsulting
7 ExtensionHubEvaluationReport Cumbreconsulting
8 TakingStrategicActiontoImproveExtensionServicesforAustralianFarmersandFishers(Synthesisreport) UniversityofMelbourne
9 CaseStudiesHighlightingExcellenceinExtension CurrieCommunications
10 ProjectEvaluationReport BroderickandAssociates
11 ExpertPanelStatement TheExpertPanel
12 Mediaandcommunicationsmaterial Various
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7.2 EquipmentandassetsNone.
7.3 MediaandcommunicationsmaterialThefollowingmediaproductsweredelivered:
• Mediarelease–projectinception/firstsummit• Factsheet–forprojectstakeholders• Projectoutcomescircularsenttostakeholders• ArticleforAPENpublication• Extensionhubresources-refertohub
Inadditiontherewerenumerouspresentationsgiventoresearchdevelopmentcorporationforumsandanationalnaturalresourcemanagementforum.
Pleasenotethatthemediastrategychangedthroughthecourseoftheprojectastherewaslittlebroadermediainterest.Thecommunicationsstrategyfocusedonkeystakeholdersratherthanthegeneralpublic.
7.4 EvaluationreportTheProjectEvaluationReportispresentedasAttachment10.
7.5 BudgetThefinalfinancialreportwithin60daysofsubmittingthisfinalmilestonereport.
RURAL R&D FOR PROFIT P RO GRA MMEConsolidating Targeted and Practical Extension for Australian Farmers and Fishers23 June 2015 – 23 December 2016
Pub. No 17/015
ISBN: 978-1-74254-939-2
Bookshop: 1300 634 313
Email: [email protected]
Postal Address: Locked Bag 588 Wagga Wagga NSW 2678
Street Address: Building 007Charles Sturt UniversityBooroma StreetWagga Wagga NSW 2650
www.rirdc.gov.au