When it comes to life on the land, women like Milli Moncrieff and Jessica Cosgrove prove that leadership knows no gender.

As we mark Rural Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the women who keep regional Australia growing. For Milli and Jess, what began as a summer harvest job has become a career built on courage, mentorship and a love for the industry.

Milli Moncrieff – From harvest casual to site manager

At just 22 years old, Milli is managing GrainCorp’s receival site at Walgett this harvest as Acting Site Manager, leading a team of 13 permanent employees and around 80 harvest workers.

Hailing from Echuca, Victoria, Milli grew up on a dairy farm, shadowing her dad and getting involved in as much of the day-to-day operations as school would allow.

After finishing school, she traded central Victoria for the red centre, spending a year working on a family-run cattle station north of Alice Springs.

Her first taste of GrainCorp came in 2022 as a Grain Handler at Elmore, Victoria. If you ask Milli, where she is now is a far cry from her first harvest experience.

“Back then, I didn’t even know the difference between barley and wheat,” she laughs. “But I was encouraged to get outside of my comfort zone and thrive at everything I did on site, whether that was loading trucks or manning a stacker.

“GrainCorp gives everyone the equal opportunity to really excel in the workplace and I’m fortunate that my parents pushed me to give every opportunity my all.”

That willingness to learn quickly opened new doors. In 2024, Milli took a secondment to Walgett, NSW returning home only briefly before being urged by her then manager to apply for the Assistant Site Manager role.

“Hearing him speak so highly about my efforts gave me the confidence to apply and move nine hours away from my hometown,” Milli says.

Less than a year later, Milli is looking forward to her first harvest as Acting Site Manager.

“I’m still learning how to manage a large team, but I’ve met some amazing women in leadership roles at GrainCorp who are an inspiration,” says Milli.

“I’ve also had many male role models throughout my life, and I’m grateful for the guidance and support I’ve received from the men and women who’ve taught and mentored me along the way.”

Looking ahead, Milli says she’d like to encourage the next generation of rural women to get outside their comfort zones.

“I hope to inspire young women and show that you don’t need to have it all figured out – you can jump in headfirst, just be willing to learn!”

Milli moncrieff

Jessica Cosgrove – Building a career, growing a community

Like Milli, Jess joined GrainCorp as a harvest worker. That was in 2011 and almost 15 years on, Jess remains a key member of our Moree team in her role as Assistant Site Manager.

Although not from an agricultural background, Jess says she’s been supported to develop all the skills she’s needed to have a successful career in the industry.

“One of the most empowering aspects of working at GrainCorp is the genuine culture of support and encouragement – instead of being limited by my experience level, I was given opportunities to learn, contribute and prove my capability,” says Jess.

“I’ve been fortunate to have managers and teammates who took the time to guide me in developing new skills, which has made a huge difference in my confidence and career growth.”

Jessica’s path has also included raising a family – and she credits the company’s flexibility for helping her thrive.

“I took maternity leave in 2017 and again in 2021, and both times my managers were incredibly supportive,” says Jess.

“The transition back to work on both occasions was smooth and I was met with the flexibility I needed – to this day, GrainCorp are considerate of my family, ensuring I don’t miss out on important time with my children.”

Jess now pays it forward as an advocate for women in operational roles.

“Through my role I hope to demonstrate that women are not only essential to success in agriculture, they’re capable of leading it.”

Jess cosgrove

“Working at site has its challenges but every one of them has helped me to grow, and I’m proud of how I’ve stepped up to lead.

“By mentoring and sharing my experiences, I hope to encourage the next generation of rural women to lead with confidence.”

Celebrating women across regional Australia

For both Milli and Jess, agriculture is more than a job; it’s offered belonging, growth and the chance to lead. This Rural Women’s Day, their stories remind us that when women in regional Australia are supported to lead, our industry grows stronger too.