Winemakers of Rutherglen chairwoman Belinda Chambers has been selected to participate in the 24^th Australian Rural Leadership Program.

Mrs Chambers will join 33 leaders from diverse industries and communities in the 15-month program, which takes place across Australia and Indonesia.

She said the program started in July in Darwin before it set out for a four-day hike in the remote Kimberley in Western Australia.

“I don’t know what to expect from this first immersion in the program,” she said.

“I believe I will be well outside of my comfort zone even though I’ve done a lot of hiking.

“It’s going to be challenging both physically and intellectually.

“I’ve always been willing to contribute to community and industry so I’m eager to embrace this next step in my personal development and discover where it leads.”

Wine Australia contributed $55,000 for Mrs Chambers to participate.

“Wine Australia have demonstrated a belief in my ability to make an effective contribution to the Australian wine industry,” Mrs Chambers said.

“Through their significant investment they have also acknowledged the importance of Rutherglen in the national wine landscape.”

Together with her husband, winemaker Michael Chambers, Mrs Chambers ran Lake Moodemere Estate.

She looked forward to networking with people from diverse industries.

“Without Michael’s support I couldn’t consider a commitment of this magnitude,” she said.