MEDIA RELEASE Thursday, 26 February 2009
HEAD: Mentoring returns to the South West (261 words)
The dairy industry is very good at providing opportunities for individuals to develop and learn and DairySage Mentoring is another example of an outstanding personal development opportunity.
Nominations are now open for DairySage mentor and mentee participants for the South West program to be held at Terang on March 11-12.  
Funded by the Gardiner Foundation, DairySage Mentoring is delivered through WestVic Dairy and The People in Dairy program from Dairy Australia.  
Individuals from all sectors of the dairy industry are encouraged to nominate to take part in this fresh approach to personal development.  
Mentoring can be used for many situations; to navigate a business through a difficult situation, a tool in wealth strategy, growing the farm business, determining life or business goals, career planning or to help individuals build their confidence or develop management skills.
To kick start the partnership, participants will be offered a free 2-day introduction training workshop designed to prepare them for a meaningful mentoring journey.  
Mentors and mentees will learn essential interpersonal, communication, mentoring skills and attend a dairy industry dinner.  
The workshop also includes the process for matching mentee with mentor. 
Following the workshop, mentee participants will commence a personal development journey of their choosing supported by their mentor and all participants receive a mentoring manual specifically designed for DairySage Mentoring.  
If you’d like to do something good for yourself in 2009, nominate for DairySage Mentoring today! Further information and nomination forms to participate in this unique dairy industry opportunity can be downloaded from www.westvicdairy.com.au  or by contacting Karen Baum on mobile 0417 398 978 or pembroke@dcsi.net.au 
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Media contact: Karen Baum – mobile 0417 398 978 or email pembroke@dcsi.net.au
(This media release has been issued by Monks Communication on behalf of DairySage Mentoring.) 
Notes to editor:
* Images can be arranged by request to Karen Baum (see below)
* It is really important to us that our funding partners are acknowledged.  If possible we would be most grateful if you could ensure the 3rd paragraph remains intact. Thank you.
About DairySage (background information for media) 
Sage: wise person or somebody who is regarded as knowledgeable, wise and experienced 
DairySage establishes mentoring relationships by partnering experienced, inspirational and dynamic mentors with dairying people form all sectors of the industry, including the manufacture and service sectors. It is a three-year pilot program developed by WestVic Dairy and The People in Dairy, sponsored by Gardiner Foundation and Dairy Australia.
For more information, contact DairySage Program Leader: Karen Baum – mobile 0417 398 978 or email karen@thepeopleindairy.org.au