NEWS RELEASE 18 January 2025
Expanded Women in Turf program tees off this week
Crestmead, Queensland (18 January, 2025) — SIX female volunteer greenkeepers will gain invaluable tournament experience at the Webex Players Series at Cobram Barooga Golf Club this week, as part of John Deere's expanded Women in Turf Program for 2025.
The program creates career pathways and builds support networks to encourage greater female participation in Australia's greenkeeping sector.
This aligns with the Webex Players Series mission to provide unmatched inclusivity, with male and female professionals, alongside elite amateurs, all competing for the same prize purse on an equal playing field.
After launching the Women in Turf Program at Cobram Barooga in 2023, and returning for last year's Webex Players Series, John Deere is collaborating with environmental science company, Envu, and the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA) to take this year's initiative to the next level.
The six female volunteers will assist Cobram Barooga Superintendent, Terry Vogel, and his team prepare the course for the PGA event, providing some of them with their first taste of tournament work.
"It's been invaluable having the Women in Turf volunteers assist us with this tournament for the last couple of years, and we like to think they get a lot out of it as well," Mr Vogel said.
"The extra hands on the ground makes a huge difference for a tournament of this size, and all the women bring their own diverse range of skills and experiences into the team. Their attitude and professionalism is infectious for the rest of the team.
"It's a win-win because we get the help, and the volunteers get to hone their skills in preparing for a tournament, which some of them have never done before."
This year's strengthened program will combine the work placement at the Webex Players Series with a year-long mentoring and development program designed to empower and support women making their mark in the industry.
Tailored for women at various stages of their careers, the one-on-one mentoring and career support will give them the opportunity to connect with experienced industry professionals, gain insights into effective leadership, and build the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the turf industry.
The career experience and personal mentoring will be complemented by a range of online learning sessions led by industry professionals, and the chance to mentor other women taking part in Women in Turf.
John Deere Australia and New Zealand Small Ag and Turf Marketing Manager, Erin Wagstaff, said John Deere was thrilled to work with Envu and ASTMA to evolve the Women in Turf Program in 2025.
"We are dedicated to empowering women in the sports turf industry through work placements and ongoing mentorship," Ms Wagstaff said.
"The program offers essential professional development opportunities while fostering a sense of community among female greenkeepers, which is crucial in an industry where roles are predominantly occupied by men.
"This initiative also allows us to highlight the outstanding contributions women are making in greenkeeping, inspiring greater female involvement in the future. We believe we are just beginning to realise the full potential impact of this program."
Managing Director of Australia and New Zealand at Envu, Rachel Carson, said collaborating with ASTMA and John Deere to improve the Women in Turf Program marks an exciting new chapter for all three organisations.
"Our shared goal is to create a supportive community and nurture the next generation of female leaders - something Envu is passionate about supporting across all the industries we work with," Ms Carson said.
The collaboration aims to enhance John Deere's initiative, and the ASTMA program established in 2022 as part of their Women in Sports Turf Management Strategy.
"Reflecting on the progress made since we introduced the Women in Turf Strategy, we are absolutely delighted to collaborate with John Deere and Envu to evolve and improve the mentorship program," CEO of ASTMA, Mark Unwin, said.
"This alignment underscores the commitment from all three organisations to create positive change within turf management by enhancing female participation, supporting their continued development and helping strengthen the participation of women in turf management."
Meet the Volunteers
Ella Arter
Maroondah City Council, Melbourne, VIC
Ella Arter admits she just 'fell into' greenkeeping after working on a flower, foliage and vegetable farm and studying to be a vet nurse, but those roles gave her some useful skills in her current career as a second-year apprentice.
"I was interested in horticulture and so I got a job on a friend's farm, and prior to that I enrolled to study vet nursing, but it was right after the COVID-19 pandemic so everything was still online and I didn't enjoy it," Ms Arter recalled.
"Then I applied through an agency for a job as a gardener but they suggested I take up a different opportunity, with NextGen Jobs, who offer apprenticeships and traineeships. NextGen appointed me to work as a green keeper with Maroondah City Council in the eastern suburbs."
Ms Arter alternates between maintaining the greens of two golf courses – Ringwood and Dorset, in the foothills of the beautiful Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne – with turf upkeep for the Council's 52 sporting facilities.
"It's a small team here so they can just throw you into everything, which is the best way to learn, plus I'm also doing a Certificate III in Sports Turf Management at TAFE as part of my apprenticeship," Ms Arter said.
But it was an opportunity through the Australian Sports Turf Managers' Association that cemented her commitment to greenkeeping. She was lucky enough to experience a week working at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Cheltenham, one of Australia's top three golf courses and consistently ranked in the global top 20.
"It just blew my mind seeing a top course like that. It really inspired me and my whole outlook on green keeping. My job is really good, but at Kingston Heath, it's just a whole other level of professionalism," she said.
"Getting extra learning opportunities like that has confirmed that this is the career for me. The Women in Turf Program will be a great extension of that.
"I've always wanted to work on a country course, so going to Cobram Barooga and broadening my skills and knowledge and making connections with other people with similar interests will be great."
Ms Arter said being a woman in turf has never been a point of difference for her.
"I never really think about it until someone points it out," she said.
"I remember I saw this massive tractor pull into the depot once, and I thought, 'That's cool, I want to learn to drive that.' And the next day my boss said, 'Ella, jump on.' And I just did it and I was fine.
"I would say to other girls to not be afraid of trying something new or getting onto a machine. Just be confident and you'll figure it out."
Olivia Cowan
Kooringal Golf Club, Altona, VIC
Olivia Cowan can thank her father for the break that led to a career as an apprentice greenkeeper with Kooringal Golf Club in the Melbourne suburb of Altona. Olivia has just completed Year 12 and is only a few months into her apprenticeship.
"My Dad and brothers play at Bacchus Marsh West Golf Club and it's all volunteers looking after that course, mainly retired people. The first time I ever cut a green, I think I was 15. Dad was volunteering and he told me that one of the volunteers had pulled out of cutting greens that day," she said.
"I'd seen him do it a couple times and thought it looked fun so I asked to have the day off school to help him. Dad said 'Alright, just this one time'. And I had a great time and I haven't looked back!
"I had previously worked with Dad in his hydraulic work, because I've got my Engineering Certificate II, but after that I thought greenkeeping was more my thing. I saw the job at Kooringal and applied and here we are."
It's a big learning curve, Ms Cowan said, but being outside is very refreshing.
"Sometimes it can be really physical, but it's also really satisfying after raking a bunker or cutting a green or something. I can't put that satisfaction into words. I feel like it's really good for your mind and it's a challenge.
"Cutting a green, you look back on your work, trying to get those lines as straight as possible. Even raking a bunker, you walk up to it after a really bad weekend of rain and there's all these washouts and you think it's gonna be a tough job, but you finish and it looks good.
"It's a great feeling."
Again, it was Ms Cowan's father who suggested she apply to be a volunteer for the John Deere Women in Turf Program, after reading about it in his club's newsletter.
"I also spoke to one of the guys at work who does a lot of volunteering and has travelled around the world and he said, yeah, do it, and my boss was really encouraging, so I just did it!
"I think it's important to encourage women and I'm very excited to get some tournament experience. I've only just started working so obviously I want to get better at the basics.
"The Kooringal staff are so supportive. I knew I was going to be the only girl working here and the guys are older than me, but when I walked in they just shook my hand straight away and were so welcoming.
"I'm always asking for feedback, like after I cut a green or rake a bunker, I ask them to check it. And they usually say yep, all good."
Emma Lewis
Settlers Run Golf and Country Club, Botanic Ridge, VIC
Three years into an apprenticeship at Settlers Run Golf and Country Club in Botanic Ridge, Victoria, Emma Lewis isn't looking back on her decision to change careers to train as a greenkeeper.
"I was a qualified hairdresser and during the COVID-19 lockdowns I realised I wasn't missing my job at all, so I decided I needed a change of career. I loved mowing lawns, so I applied to be a greenkeeper," she said.
"I think the hardest bit was actually going for the interview, for something I never knew anything about. My sister was a hairdresser so I sort of got handed a job in that field, but for my first couple days in golf I didn't know anything about what to do.
"It was hard, but I just eased myself into it and now I love it. It's so much better than hairdressing – being outside is amazing and I prefer the hours too.
"I'm just loving it all. I love hopping on different machinery, it's something you don't see every day. I'm so glad I made that big jump and tried something new.
"It's the best thing I've ever done."
Ms Lewis first became aware of the Women in Turf program as a school student, when she assisted the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium staff prepare the pitch for several international football matches alongside three volunteers who were there as part of John Deere's program.
"I met Sally Benwell, Codi Long and Georgie Chandler and they encouraged me to get involved. It was amazing just to see all the girls in that atmosphere of women's sport, after growing up with all the focus on boys sport.
"On our last game day we had around 10 to 15 women there from the sports turf industry – it was so cool and we got to see the Australian team play too! So this year my boss, Brenton, said let's apply and see if you get into Women in Turf.
"To get other women out here would be awesome, but I'm just super excited to be doing something that I've never done before."
Vicki Liddington
City of Stirling, Perth, WA
Vicki Liddington is looking forward to learning a lot more about sports turf and people management as a participant in the Women in Turf program.
After starting out as an apprentice 25 years ago with the City of Stirling in Perth, Ms Liddington is now the Acting Parks Supervisor overseeing maintenance of all turf, trees and gardens on Council reserves.
"I want to expand my knowledge of sports turf management. I can keep turf green and do the basics, but I'd like to know more about diseases, and about broadacre mowers on active turf, the right heights to cut etc," Ms Liddington said.
"My current role is predominantly managing turf. Golf courses are different, obviously, but even looking at ways to better prepare it and deal with overuse in our active sports turfs will be useful. I'm hoping to bring back some new knowledge and skills to the team."
Managing people is another skill that Ms Liddington is looking forward to seeing in action.
"As well as networking, I'm keen to watch the team at Cobram Barooga and how they work. I'm very curious about understanding how teams work well, or why they don't.
"It's also good to hear how other people are supervising and recruiting staff. That's all part of my role so I'd like to learn more about that."
Encouraging more women into the turf and horticulture industry through the Women in Turf program is important, Ms Liddington says.
"We need to make people feel confident in the role, to empower and encourage women to speak up for themselves. Back when I started you had to be really thick-skinned, but it's definitely gotten a lot better over the years," said Ms Liddington.
"I don't think there's been anything that I haven't been able to do because I'm female. I might not be able to lift as much but I can ride a mower and do just about anything that guys can do, particularly as the technology in the machines is becoming more user-friendly.
"It'd be nice to have a lot more women in the industry to network with, because I haven't had many women around me during my career. I would like women to feel comfortable in an industry that's predominantly male, and to believe they can do the job without a second thought."
Abbey Taylor
Charlestown Golf Club, Hillsborough, NSW
As an apprentice greenkeeper at Charlestown Golf Club in Hillsborough, near Newcastle, Abbey Taylor has enjoyed completing a Certificate III in Sports Turf Management at TAFE and then applying her learning on the job outdoors.
"Greenkeeping is really good. Even though there's a lot to remember, I'm learning heaps and I really enjoy the outdoors. I played cricket and I was used to being in the sun all day so I thought why not do it for work!" said Ms Taylor.
"The Club staff have been very supportive, always teaching me new things and answering any questions that I have. I found out about the Women in Turf program through my boss."
This will be Ms Taylor's first tournament experience, and while she admits to being a little bit nervous, she's also very excited about the prospect of hands-on learning.
"It'll be nice to be around different people, hearing about their experiences and learning how to set up for a big tournament. All sports turf facilities do things differently, so it'll be good to find out about ways of looking after the courses or any green sports turf in general.
"I'm very excited to meet some other female greenkeepers, to share our stories, get to know each other and talk about any challenges we have, because it's a very male-dominated industry."
Ms Taylor has some advice for women thinking about a career in turf management.
"Just go for it. You never know what you will learn. It's a very exciting job, especially if you love being outdoors and meeting new people. It's getting much bigger for females now and women's sport is growing rapidly in Australia in general.
"It'd be nice to see a lot of females in the industry!"
Christina Wilson
Green By Nature, Brisbane, QLD
Queensland horticulturalist Christina Wilson isn't a greenkeeper, so she was surprised and very excited to get an email to say she had been accepted into the Women in Turf program.
Ms Wilson works in commercial gardening maintenance with Green By Nature, where her supervisor is Shana Stopp, one of the participants in the 2024 Women in Turf Program.
"Shana said the attention to detail and quality of work on a golf course and in greenkeeping is excellent – kind of like when you walk past people's lawns sometimes, and you think, 'is that real grass or fake?' because it's so impeccably neat and tidy and exact," Ms Wilson said.
"It's a real honour to showcase your work when it comes to that level of professionalism, so I'm really excited to be heading to Cobram Barooga."
Ms Wilson says while the Queensland summers can be brutal, she loves her job.
"The thing I love most is being outdoors, being around nature, and that you get to see an instant result from your work, and I think golf will also be good for that," she said.
"When you actually drive off site at the end of the day and it's looking really good, you have that satisfaction of a job well done.
"Shana said you get to try the equipment and learn about the turf, as well as pests and diseases, so I can bring back some new knowledge and skills to my team."
When Ms Wilson started working for the Green Army over 10 years ago, replanting natural habitat and establishing green spaces on the Sunshine Coast, there were very few women in horticulture and landscaping. She completed a Certificate III in Horticulture and Conservation Land Management at TAFE.
"There were only two or three females in the course itself and it was very much guys on the tools, whereas these days it's women getting on the tools and multi-tasking, bringing a bit more organisation and attention to detail on job sites which definitely comes in handy," she said.
"I think the biggest challenge is that this is a physically demanding job, working outside. But there are definitely lots of opportunities which you can really excel at and develop.
"A lot more young women and also mature-age females are feeling comfortable to apply for these types of jobs. There are more women now in leadership roles to support them and help them start a career in horticulture and similar industries, which is really good."
About John Deere:
Deere & Company is a global leader in the delivery of agricultural, golf & turf, construction, and forestry equipment. We help our customers push the boundaries of what's possible in ways that are more productive and sustainable to help life leap forward. Our technology-enabled products including the John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor and See & Spray™ are just two of the ways we help meet the world's increasing need for food, shelter, and infrastructure. Deere & Company also provides financial services through John Deere Financial. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at JohnDeere.com or in Australia at JohnDeere.com.au.
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