Committee for Echuca Moama chief executive Deanne Armstrong, herself a graduate of the program, said with the support of operations manager at Foodmach in Echuca Tim Ford and Vicki Scott, from the Fairley Leadership Program, Dimity had been chosen after a series of interviews.
The scholarship was named in honour of Foodmach partner Peter Marks, who worked with the award-winning business from 1977 to 2021.
His wife, Maggie, was on hand to congratulate Dimity on her award and explained a little more about her husband’s passion for developing leaders.
“He had really good vision and was a real people person. He was a great mentor and liked to see people progress,” she said.
Originally a fitter and turner, he and his wife arrived in Echuca four decades ago.
Just before he became sick Peter was recognised as one of the Australian leaders in his profession.
He played a lead role in design, manufacturing, engineering and sales, along with research and development; an integral person in the development of the high-speed palletisers, Robomatrix, recognised at the time as the fastest of its kind in the world.
More recently Peter, and Foodmach, was involved in PPE manufacturing, developing seven medical mask-making machines for a Shepparton company.
He finished with Foodmach as the director of capability and export.
"Pete enjoyed people being recognised for excellence, he liked people who were willing to get in and have a go,“ his wife of 42 years said
“He was a leader and saw potential in people who could step up and move into roles,” she said.
Dimity was among 21 Fairley Leadership Program inductees for 2022, Nathan Bibby, executive officer of Goulburn Murray Community Leadership, said in announcing the 26th cohort to the Fairley Leadership Program.
The Fairley Leadership Program is Goulburn Murray Community Leadership’s flagship program, designed to build individual leadership capacity and educate emerging leaders about the challenges and opportunities impacting the Goulburn Murray region.
Vicki Scott, program facilitator, said the program had already developed more than 600 graduates, who were contributing positively to the Goulburn Murray region.
“This year's program will look different to previous iterations as we look to better immerse ourselves in local communities around the Goulburn Murray region. After a year of mostly online meetings and events, we’re excited to visit local communities and businesses, gaining greater insight into the everyday issues and concerns of our community,” she said.
