DIGGING DEEPER - A Journey Through Agriculture and Science With Leecia Angus

In this Digging Deeper episode, host Al interviews Leecia Angus, paid chair of the Gippsland Ag Board, about her varied career and views on agriculture. Angus describes growing up on Gippsland farms at Glenaladale and later Goon Nure amid droughts, floods, and fires, studying science (genetics, chemistry, biochemistry), and early roles at La Trobe University and the Regional Veterinary Laboratory before moving to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute to work on a malaria vaccine and cancer hematology, focusing on translating science into practical outcomes. She later joined GRDC in Canberra, managing investments in wheat and barley breeding and earlier supporting the GrainGene joint venture, then shifted into internal corporate functions and left in 2014 to consult for universities, RDCs, industry bodies, and government. She discusses local tree-planting projects near Orbost, plans for intensive trellised olive production at Briagolong, work on fall armyworm pheromone mating-disruption trials seeking Australian approval, and as Gippsland Ag chair highlights input-cost fragility and opportunities in tailored soil and nitrogen management. Her advice to her younger self is to focus on manageable actions within one’s influence.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

02:24 Farm Roots and Family

04:34 Drought Fire Flood Lessons

06:12 School Gap Year and Uni

08:53 First Jobs and Research Path

11:05 Medical Research Breakthroughs

12:10 Back to Agriculture at GRDC

16:53 Consulting and Career Shift

19:41 Marlo Return and Local Grants

21:11 Tree Planting at Orbost

23:44 New Olive Venture Briagolong

26:39 Fall Armyworm and Pheromones

31:13 Chairing Gippsland Ag Group

33:19 Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

35:50 Advice to Younger Self

37:11 Wrap Up and Thanks