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VFFF Youth Advisory Group - In conversation with Florance McGufficke
As part of our regular Youth Advisory Group Q&A series, we are excited to introduce you to Florance McGufficke.
Tell us a bit about you! Where are you from, what do you do, and what are some of your passions/interests?
Florance: I grew up in Cooma on our intergenerational family owned and operated Merino sheep farm, Greendale Merinos. I now live in Dubbo, where I work at Elders as the NSW Livestock and Stud Stock Sales Support Officer. My sisters and I also run a small bespoke art market business, 3.Little.Sheep, creating original and unique artworks, with our designs printed on a range of tea towels, cards and socks.
I completed a Bachelor of Business and Agriculture at the University of New England and resided at St Alberts College in Armidale, where I was involved in the college community, sport and the leadership team. I have always really loved being involved in team sports, playing soccer and netball, and even rugby 7s during my time at university.
In 2022 I was fortunate to receive a Young Farming Champion Scholarship, and in 2023 I was named The Land Sydney Royal Agshows NSW Young Woman. Through these opportunities, I have been able to travel around NSW and act as an ambassador for women in rural and regional communities. I feel fortunate as a young woman to have been provided with a platform to connect, learn and develop – to educate people about Australian agriculture, especially wool, and hopefully bridge the divide between urban and rural communities.
I love agriculture and have a passion for Merino wool. I hope to continue to breed highly productive and profitable Merino sheep and share the qualities of this sustainable, renewable, and natural fibre. One of my goals it to encourage young girls to see themselves in agriculture and be supported to take on careers in this sector.
"I aspire to be a leader for young people, to inspire them to believe in their abilities, dream big and achieve their aspirations. By sharing my story, I hope to encourage them to find their voice and embrace their journey."
What is your connection to rural and regional Australia?
I was born into agriculture as a fifth generation grazier. My early days saw me in ‘Daddy Day Care’ helping my dad in shearing sheds and sheep yards.
I remember finding my first poddy lamb, George, standing on the front seat of my dad’s two door Toyota Hilux and hitting my head on the roof as we bounced around the lambing paddocks – I think this is where my love for sheep started.
My two sisters and I had the best childhood, growing up with our cousins right next door and always being outside - we would ride our bikes all over the farm, and by that I mean we would ride them down the hills and dad would load them on the back of the ute for the uphill journey.
Growing up our school holidays always seemed to align with some sheep husbandry activity, from shearing to lamb marking. I am no stranger to a sheep race or shearing shed and can operate a tractor. My latest resume addition is fencing!
I love living and working in rural and regional Australia, from the people and communities to the lifestyle and opportunities.
You have been a member of our Youth Advisory Group for more than a year now. What has been the highlight of the process so far?
"The opportunity to join the YAG came at the perfect time for me and has been a fantastic experience. I have loved being able to come together as a group that didn’t previously know each other and as young people from different backgrounds and walks of life."
Everyone is so interesting, lovely, and passionate about the future of young people. It is nice to meet other likeminded people and come together at the amazing VFFF office, and experience city life (which is great, but I love the country air too much!).
My highlight would be getting to meet, work, learn and laugh with the VFFF team, Members and YAG, and be part of an incredible family foundation.
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