Welcome
DairySage Mentoring was developed by WestVic Dairy and The People in Dairy team from
Dairy Australia with funding provided by the Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation. The
project has been adapted for the Dairy NSW Region and is funded by the Young Dairy
Network Australia.
The project aims to provide the dairy industry with a sustainable framework to establish
mentoring relationships by partnering experienced, inspirational and dynamic mentors with
individuals from all sectors of the dairy industry, including manufacture and service sectors.
The project will include the tools and processes to train and support both parties in effective
mentoring partnerships.
Through mentoring, the Australian dairy industry has an excellent opportunity to develop its
people. New challenges continually test the resilience of the farm, manufacture and service
sectors of the dairy industry and effective mentoring initiatives can help equip individuals to
face the challenges ahead by increasing their capacity to deal with change.
Mentoring is a supportive and private relationship between two people and provides the
individuals involved with an opportunity to share and develop their knowledge, experience
and skills. Mentors facilitate constructive reflection on actions, behaviours and learning
journeys. “Sage” in the project title is taken from the dictionary meaning wise person,
someone who is regarded as knowledgeable, wise and experienced.
The impact of successful mentoring on a mentee can be profound, ranging from business
gains through to personal development. A well run mentoring program can provide mentees
with safe advice, a sounding board, more confidence and increased motivation. Often the
main impact of mentoring occur by the mentor opening up networks of contacts for the
mentee. This added richness in networks is a strengthening of the overall dairy community
as well as providing benefits at the individual level.
Mentors should also gain from mentoring. While the motivation for a mentor is typically a
selfless wish to make a contribution to the industry, a properly designed and managed
program will ensure mentors have the opportunity to gain benefits commensurate with
their contributions. Benefits to mentors can include personal development (enhanced
listening skills, higher empathy, etc.), enlarged networks and community recognition.
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What is Mentoring?
DairySage Mentoring defines mentoring as a supportive and private relationship between
two people and provides the individuals involved with an opportunity to share and
develop their knowledge, experience and skills. Mentors facilitate constructive reflection
of actions, behaviours and learning journeys.
Mentoring is one of the oldest forms of human development and can be tracked back to the
ancient Greeks when Odysseus the king of Ithaca left his family to fight in the Trojan War.
Before leaving he asked his old and trusted friend, Mentor to raise his son. ‘Mentor’ became
a father figure, teacher, role model, trusted advisor and counsellor. Today, the concept of
mentoring is used all over the world in large corporations, small business, universities and
youth development. A mentor is someone who can act as a sounding board for ideas and
plans.
For individuals keen to build their confidence, develop personal or professional skills,
mentoring is an excellent opportunity in a non-threatening, one-on-one environment. There
are no limits - mentoring can be a used for many situations: to navigate a business through a
difficult situation, a tool in a wealth strategy, to grow the farm business, to determine life or
business goals or advance a career.
Mentoring is not about giving advice – it is about opening options and
stimulating problem solving within a positive, solutions focused
environment. Mentoring is not just short term problem solving. It has
a long term strategic goal for positioning the mentee where they want
to be in the future. It is about inspiring excellence.
Mentoring Works (2007)
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Program Overview
Each workshop runs over two days for mentee participants and one and a half days for
mentors. The workshop program includes a networking function and mentoring dinner.
Participants will learn mentoring skills and how to make the most from mentoring
partnerships. During the training program, mentors and mentees undertake professional
development training in areas such as: goal setting, communication skills and learning styles
with the aim of implementing a personal development plan for the mentee.
Partnerships will be supported by a ‘mentoring manual’ written specifically for the dairy
industry which includes the training notes and suggestions for partnership activities, ways
and frequency to communicating effectively and tips for constructive reflection through
giving and receiving feedback.
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Workshop Program
DAY 1 - 29 May
Session 1a
9.30 am
10.30
Session 1b
12.00
Session 1c
1.00pm
3.30
Session 1d
4.30
5.30
7 for 7.30
Mentee participants
Mentors
Setting the Scene
• Welcome & introductions
• About the project and how the
mentoring program works
• Your expectations
Morning Tea
Know where you want to go
• Your preferred future
• Vision
• The need for change
Lunch
Know where you are
• Current reality
• Skills needs analysis
• SWOT: Building your strengths &
weaknesses
Afternoon tea
Know who you are
• Action planning
• Prepare to meet the mentors
Mentors Arrive for Lunch
Welcome and Introductions
• About the project
• How the mentoring program works
• What is mentoring
• Critical success factors to mentoring
• Interacting with mentees at an appropriate
level
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Skill/Will matrix
Motivating others
Structuring a Mentoring session
Prepare for meeting the mentees
Session End (free time)
Pre-Dinner Drinks
Networking Dinner
DAY 2 – 30 May
Session 2a
Joint session
8.30am
Getting to know each other
• Match mentors and mentees
• Interactive session with mentors and mentees
Working Together
• Communication Skills
• DISC
• Preferences for communication & behaviour
Session 2b
Joint session
Morning Tea
Moving Forward
• Goal Setting and mentoring session
• Scoping the options and setting some targets
LUNCH
12.15 -1.00pm
Session 2c
Joint session
Where to next?
• Continue with Personal development plans and individual contracts with mentors
• Review process and commitments
3.00
Review
3.30
Depart
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