• NAB has renewed its commitment as a Major Partner to Beef Australia 2024 in Rockhampton, Queensland
• NAB has been a partner of the iconic event since its inception in 1988
• The NAB Ladies Lunch at Beef2024 will feature a panel of inspiring women from the beef industry.

NAB has today announced its continued partnership as a Major Partner of Beef Australia 2024 (Beef2024), underscoring its unwavering commitment to the beef industry and one of its most iconic events.

The partnership extends NAB’s enduring legacy of support, which has been in place since the inception of Beef Australia in 1988.

And once again, NAB is excited to host the NAB Ladies Lunch at Beef2024 on Friday, 10 May, an event dedicated to inspiring the next generation of beef producers and industry stakeholders.

The event will include a panel of guest speakers comprising respected beef industry leaders and hosted by NAB State Business Banking Executive, Naomi Stuart.

Guest speakers will include 2023 Farmer of the Year, Tess Herbert, co-owner of Gundamain Pastoral; Lucinda Corrigan, Director of Rennylea Pastoral Company; and Melinee Leather, Leather Cattle Company.

NAB Executive Regional and Agribusiness Khan Horne said NAB’s support of the event over the past 36 years reflected the bank’s dedication to the beef industry.

“This event provides a unique platform for us to connect with the people who make this industry thrive and discuss how we can continue to support their aspirations and ambitions,” Mr Horne said.

“The NAB Ladies Lunch is a highlight of the Beef Australia event calendar, and testament to our commitment to supporting the growth and empowerment of women in agriculture.

“It is an opportunity to inspire and uplift the women who are driving innovation and change in the industry.

“We are looking forward to meeting with beef producers, industry leaders, and everyone passionate about the industry at Beef2024.”

Beef2024, scheduled to take place from 5-11 May 2024, is expected to be the most significant Australian Beef event on record.

Tickets for the 2024 NAB Ladies Lunch in Rockhampton will go on sale on 31 October.

NAB Ladies Lunch guest speakers:

Tess Herbert is a director of a family business, Gundamain Pastoral Co in Central West New South Wales. Tess and her husband, Andrew, own and operate a cattle feedlot and a mixed farming operation. Tess is currently a director of Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA). She is a former President of the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA), a former director of the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework and the Red Meat Advisory Council, and was previously the independent chair of the Red Meat Panel. Tess holds a Masters degree in Agribusiness and is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program.

Lucinda Corrigan is a livestock specialist who runs a performance recorded herd of 4,500 cattle on two aggregations in Southern NSW at Bowna and Culcairn with her family. Rennylea Angus is at the forefront of measuring performance since the inception of Breedplan in 1985. Every calf is fully recorded for phenotypes and genotypes, DNA tested at birth with the HD50K test. The herd is renowned for calving ease, fast growth, moderate maturity pattern and an elite carcase.

She has spent her professional life working in innovation across the livestock industries. Her background includes three terms as a non-executive director of Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Chair of the MLA Donor Company. She recently completed her term chairing the Sheep Sustainability Framework Governance Committee, is currently a non-executive director at dairy company Datagene, Animal Health Australia, Genetics Australia and Chair of the Animal Breeding and Genetics Unit at University of New England.

Melinee Leather is a director of Leather Cattle Co, a progressive family-owned beef cattle operation, running 5,000 head of cattle across three properties in Central Queensland. Their operation breeds and finishes cattle for the EU, Grasslands and Wagyu markets with a focus on sustainability and how they contribute to global food security and climate action. In 2023, Leather Cattle Co was named as a finalist in the 34th National Banksia Sustainability Awards in the SME Sustainable Leadership category for their commitment to lead by example in the sustainable production of beef through excellence in environmental stewardship, animal management and increased productivity.

Melinee has worked fulltime in the family beef business for 36 years and over the last 16 years has held various director roles within beef and agricultural industry organisations. Melinee has a Diploma of Rural Business Management and Agriculture and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.