Austral's Rachel Ong Selected for NSILP 2021

Austral's Rachel Ong Selected for NSILP 2021
April 26, 2021

Austral Fisheries NSILP Participant Rachel


Austral Fisheries would like to congratulate our Perth-based team member Rachel Ong on her selection to participate in the 2021 National Seafood Industry leadership Program (NSILP).

Rachel is a key member of Austral's logistics team and is an expert on all things relating to export documentation.

The National Seafood Industry Leadership Program 2021 (NSILP 2021) is the leadership platform being delivered through funding from the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and developed, managed and delivered by Affectus Pty Ltd.

The NSILP 2021 is the only national industry-specific leadership program for the Australian seafood industry and it was designed in consultation with seafood industry people with their specific needs in mind. This the eighteenth year of the program and well over two hundred graduates of all ages and from all sectors of the industry including processing, fishing, extension, exporters, importers, marketing, deckhands, indigenous and recreational fishers have now successfully completed the program.

The NSILP 2021 focuses on developing skills that participants can apply at three key levels – personal, business and national industry. Participants are also encouraged to develop and implement plans associated with these three areas.

Graduates have gone on to apply their skills to a wide variety of areas including regional network development, regional and state industry association boards, reference committees and effective business and workplace management. The content of the program ensures that participants are exposed to effective ways of handling conflict, improved communication techniques, the management of efficient meetings, high performance team building, change management and media training. Participants are also exposed to the wide diversity of the Australian seafood industry and some of the different issues facing the industry.


Here's a quick Q & A with Rachel, so you can get to know her better:

Q. Congratulations on your selection for NSILP 2021 Rachel! Are you excited to get started?
A. I'm super excited.

Q. How long have you worked at Austral Fisheries?
A. 2 years (and a bit)

Q. What does your current role mostly require you to do?
A. My role is mainly Export Documentation which is preparing commercial documents for every export shipment, as well as applying for the relevant export declaration numbers, permits and certificates related to the goods exported. Export documentation verifies that the commodity meets legislated export requirements and the requirements of the importing country. Because Austral Fisheries is MSC certified, I ensure that there is traceability for all products exported.

Q. What do you know of the NSILP?
A. NSILP is the only industry specific leadership program designed for people who want to take up leadership roles within the seafood industry.

Q. What are you hoping to take away from your time participating in the program?
A. I’m hoping to meet people within the industry and get to know what challenges the seafood industry is facing, and how we could collectively tackle the issue together and make a positive impact.


Some quickfire questions:

Q. What is your favourite food or meal? 
A. I like tapas style meals

Q. Would you rather watch a movie or read a book? 
A. A bit of both but leaning towards movies

Q. You work for a fishing company, but do you eat seafood?
A. I love seafood that’s grilled (nothing fancy)​

Q. If you could go to dinner with any 3 people dead or alive, who would you choose?
A. Michelle Obama, Bill Gates, Zuzana Růžičková.

Q. What’s your favourite country to visit?
A. Greece

Q. What would your party trick be?
A. Showing people that my left arm is noticeably shorter than my right arm

Thanks and good luck, Rach. We look forward to seeing you make your way through the program.

For more info on NSILP 2021 click here