The Country 16/06/25: Cheyne Gillooly talks to Jamie Mackay

We catch up with the new chief executive of Young Farmers on his first day on the tools, ahead of the Grand Final in Invercargill on July 3-5.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
First day on the Tools for our next guest, Shane Galuley.
He is the new chief executive of Young Farmers Linda Coppersmith,
your predecessor, though Shane is still hanging around till after
the Grand Final and in the cargo in a couple
of weeks time.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
Right, Yeah, that's right. It's good to be able to
have a nice endover process, and we wanted to make
sure that we could give Linda scend off that she
deserves down her numbers. So it's good to have everyone.

Speaker 1 (00:31):
Yeah. When I heard or read or Michelle told me
that you were the chief executive of the new and
I thought, I know this blog. I've chatted to him
before and in a past life you were with mp I.

Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yes, yeah, yeah, yeah, we've cross paved a few times.
You've always been good to me, so hopefully that will
kenthin you.

Speaker 1 (00:48):
It's at Jamie mackay Appreciation day to day on the Country.
I wish I got I wish I got that at
home from the program director Shane. But anyhow, never mind,
it's nice to be loved at work. There you go.
Don't shake your head, Michelle, So tell me about your
background and and and why you came about to get
this job.

Speaker 2 (01:07):
So yeah, as you say, I've been a director at
Ministry for Primary Industries for nyon on seven years, which
is the I think. I'm like the longest time I've
ever been in a single role, and I think before
they're a bit of an eclectic background, but mostly working
with growth companies, finance and investment. So I spent a

(01:31):
bit of time with the stock market and quite a
lot of time with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and
a few other organizations as well.

Speaker 1 (01:41):
You're very you're very well qualified. What attracted you to
the young Farmers?

Speaker 2 (01:45):
I personally, I think it's the best role you can
have in the country. It's it's in the fruit and
fiber sector, which is the best sector in the in
the country, and it's working with you. It's an organization
that has a long and proud history, but as young
at heart. It's built around youth. It's built about promoting

(02:06):
people as they start and begin their careers. So for me,
it's nothing but positivity. It's got a clear role to
play for the country, for our economy. It's a cool organization,
cool people. The finalists are amazing. Why wouldn't you want
to work here.

Speaker 1 (02:26):
And the collegiality is that a word here, it's very collegial.
Put it that way in terms of it that they
support each other even when they're competing against one another.
And the other thing I love about young farmers and gee,
I know lots of young farmers of the year now
because I've been around for so long myself, is that
when they finish or become too old thirty years plus,

(02:48):
they give back.

Speaker 2 (02:50):
They do, and I think that's it's the cause. Everybody
is here for the right reason. And you know, I
was lucky enough as part of my role with with
the MPI, we were obviously a long term sponsor because
we believe in what it stood for. And so I've
been part of that family for about four or five
years now. And you're right, people just want to give back.

(03:13):
People never want to leave because it is just that collegiality.
It becomes a family and it's kind of people doing
the right thing for the right reasons. And you say
that the competition brings out the best. It showcases the
best of our people. It's in the heart of our
region and it really I think showcases what it means

(03:34):
to actually be a new Zealand. But whether you're with
EU of Farmer or not, it just shows the really
best of who we are.

Speaker 1 (03:41):
Okay, Hey, Grand Final coming up in them the Cargo
third to the fifth July. I understand if you want
to get a ticket to that Grand Final, be quickie
with this one, Shane. You need to be in by
Thursday of this week.

Speaker 2 (03:51):
Yeah, totally get in there. It's one that you don't
want to massa, so get your ticket as quickly as
you can.

Speaker 1 (03:56):
Good stuff. Hey, congratulations on your appointment first day on
the tools today and I'm sure it'll be a seamless
transition from Linda to you. Shane Galley, thank you very
much for your time