Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Ministers
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Drought, disaster and rural support
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Levies and charges on agricultural products
    • Mouse infestation advice
    • Plant health
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    • Report a concern
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Plant Innovation Centre
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Budget 2025-26

    Budget 2025-26

    The 2025–26 Portfolio Budget Statements were released on 25 March 2025.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. About us
  3. News and media
  4. Drought Resilience Leader – Phil Kuhne

Back to news - AWE

  • Back to news

Drought Resilience Leader – Phil Kuhne

  • Case study
  • Future Drought Fund
  • Agriculture
4 January 2023
River - Credit: Duck & Co photography

Good leadership will take us out of our comfort zone

After 37 years in various roles, Phil Kuhne knows a thing or two about emergency and disaster management. The Longreach resident currently works with QLD Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) as an Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC).

“My main role is to provide disaster management training, advice and support to Local Govt. State agencies, Non-Govt. Organisations and the community.”

Phil is a participant of the Future Drought Fund’s Drought Resilience Leaders program in Central West Queensland and joined the program to expand his perspective of resilience.

“In my work there is resilience to a whole range of disasters and events that may impact a community. In the beginning (of the program), I thought the term ‘drought resilient’ was focussed on the agricultural industry in the area. As the program developed it became apparent it was more about drought resilient communities not just one part it.

The program challenges participants to develop skills and mindsets to allow them to integrate deeper into their community in a leadership capability.

“It has provided me with more people to engage with whether it be for work or just social interaction in a small community. This leadership opportunity enables me to assist the community with the skills I have and raise awareness of disaster management.”

Phil explains that leadership within a regional community involves identifying new ideas and providing the encouragement, coaching and mentoring for those willing to have a go at something new, sharing knowledge and experience from the journey.

“It (building resilience) is looking at a community and identifying the ways they respond to and manage an event and finding pathways back to a life where they can function freely without the hindrance of drought or other disasters”

Since completing the program, Phil and many others are now prepared to go back to their communities equipped to grow its capacity to adapt to future challenges.

Want to know more? Want to get to know other drought resilience leaders or future opportunities in your areas?

  • Drought Resilience Leaders
  • Future Drought Resilience Leaders Program
  • Facebook - Australian Rural Leadership Foundation
  • Twitter - @ARLFNews
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Copy link

Related

Photo of cattle farmers Ian and Julie Firth in a hay shed

Evidence in action: From better tools to better decisions

  • Case study
  • Future Drought Fund
06 May 2025
Close-up image of a person in profile, wearing a wide-brimmed hat with a blue sky and white clouds behind them.

Building business resilience at Locklea Station

  • Case study
  • Future Drought Fund
24 March 2025
Image of two adults and a child sitting on grass out in a paddock

Claverton Farm: Building resilience through the Farm Business Resilience Program

  • Case study
  • Future Drought Fund
14 March 2025
Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip
Page last updated: 09 March 2023

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram