A connection with her local Elders branch opened a door for Laken Wilton. This led her into the Elders Livestock Career Development Program – and ultimately to her new role as Livestock Sales Representative at Elders Winton.
Laken recently graduated from the Elders Livestock Career Development Program and is feeling positive about her new role.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity with Elders Winton. I didn’t want to limit myself by saying where I want to end up – I just wanted to have a crack at any opportunity that came my way,” she said.
“If you’re too set on one path, you might miss some really good stuff.”
Laken’s journey into the program wasn’t exactly traditional.
“I originally saw the program advertised on Facebook and thought, I want to get into that.
“I wasn’t sure how to approach it at first, but I spoke to my local Elders branch manager, and through his recommendation I got my start.”
Growing up on a property near Charters Towers and working across stations and feedlots, Laken already had a strong connection to the cattle industry. The structured program, however, gave her the chance to broaden her skills and gain experience in different regions, all under the guidance of Elders livestock leaders.
“I started in Rockhampton for six months, which was a great place to learn. From there I went to Dalby, and that was really different again – it opened my eyes to how much livestock and country can change across Queensland.”
Mentorship is a cornerstone of the program, and Laken says her mentor, Elders Stud Stock Sales Specialist Anthony Ball, played a key role in her development.
“Anthony is awesome and we get along really well. Sometimes being in a trainee position can be daunting, but having him to call for advice made a huge difference."
"He helped me know how to approach situations in the best way possible.”
After completing her final placement in Longreach, Laken was offered the position in Winton, a move that has proven to be a great fit.
“It has been really busy, which is good. I’m getting my face out there and meeting a lot of people. I’ve also got family ties to the area, so it was easier to settle in and make connections.”
For Laken, the highlights of her role are simple but meaningful:
“I just enjoy meeting people and having conversations. Cattle are a big passion of mine, and I love learning new ways of doing things. Mostly, I’m just focused on developing myself more.”
When she’s not in the yards, you’ll often find Laken at local race meets or community events.
“The local races are a great day out – it’s a good way to network and meet people outside of work. Sometimes it’s those social events where you make the strongest connections.”
The Elders Livestock Career Development Program is designed to give young people like Laken the skills, experiences and mentoring to build a rewarding career in the livestock industry. For Laken, it’s been the launchpad to a future full of possibility.
