As the door on 2025 closes, this post reflects a year of disciplined leadership that turned focus, partnership, and a small high-performing team into measurable economic and community impact for the Southern Forests and Western Australia.
The Southern Forests Food Council (SFFC) plays a quiet but critical role in Western Australia’s regional economy. From Manjimup and the Southern Forests, we work at the intersection of agriculture, regional development, tourism, climate resilience, and innovation—turning local effort into state-level value.
Note: GSF = Genuinely Southern Forests, SW WA = Southwest Western Australia,
The Southern Forests is Western Australia’s highest-value horticultural region, contributing more than $750 million in agricultural output each year across horticulture, livestock, food manufacturing, and agritourism. The SFFC represents over 100 producers operating within this economy and plays a central role in strengthening its performance, resilience, and reputation .
An independent Economic Impact Assessment (2025) has estimated the SFFC’s measurable regional contribution at $6.1 million, confirming a strong return on public investment. Independent analysis indicates the organisation generates more than eight times the value of its annual State Government funding through coordinated industry development, branding, tourism activation, and resilience initiatives .
Our contribution extends well beyond events. Through initiatives such as:
• Regional food and farm tours,
• Major festivals and retail partnerships
• Young grower development,
• Drought and resilience programs, and
• The Southern Forests Regional Carbon Strategy and Pilot,
We help translate state priorities—jobs, sustainability, regional resilience—into outcomes on the ground .
As Executive Chair, my role is to provide strategic leadership, ensure discipline and focus, and advocate for the region at state and national levels. I am supported by a small, highly capable team who consistently deliver outcomes that far exceed our size and resources. Together, we combine local knowledge with contemporary thinking, strong governance, and a deep respect for the producers who are the backbone of this region.
The SFFC exists to make the Southern Forests stronger and is funded by the Western Australian Government. We work to make the Southern Forests stronger economically, socially, and environmentally.
Being Arthur 