20: HoA "Going full circle - being true to me" with Craig Heraghty

Craig Heraghty has spent much of his career at Global professional Services firm, Price Waterhouse Coopers. His work has taken him across the globe working with some of the largest businesses in Australian agri business. He's a country boy at heart raised in the regional NSW town of Parkes. His passion for rural Australia has been exemplified by his recent and fairly large decision to retire, in arguably the prime of his career and with extensive opportunities to pursue something for himself. A life as a grower, maker and creator – it all sounds pretty cryptic right, but I reckon we'll unpack it in here.

It hasn't all been sunshine and daisies, it’s a story of perseverance, overcoming the adversities of mental health, resultant family losses, more notably this is the story of somehow who is true to who they are. The discovery and finding of purpose and meaning of true values in their life.

We chat about:

- The struggles and dislike for agriculture in his early days, the exposure to the millennium drought and wanting to 'get away from it'

- Shifting the early perceptions of agriculture and finding commonalities beyond the farmgate

- The surprise sense of belonging and how people rallied around and took pride in 'being from the bush' in the city office

- The number of females entering the industry (and it's about time!) but more so the opportunity for females to see lights on the hill for where they can go. As Craig says "They're going to redefine what agriculture and the traditionally male dominated industry has been – it can only be a positive thing"

- When suicide entered the family five years ago – Craig's entire family were taken aback. Asking questions and not adequately grieving and dealing with what had happened.

- Giving up alcohol four or five years ago, getting help from a psychologist. One thing that changed Craig's perception was how much stronger he felt after actually reaching out for help

- Green Light to talk is an initiative by PWC and you can find Craig on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0DMh8uktUI

- The importance of people in business to show a bit of vulnerability and the humanness aspect means a lot to younger people in business

- The importance of finding out who and what you care about and shedding yourself of those people that aren't necessarily important

- Take notice of the behaviours of others and be the reflection of all the good interactions you've had over your time and don't repeat the ones that you don't want to carry forward

- Be authentic, be genuine and be engaged

Sober in the Country – Shanna Whan: https://www.soberinthecountry.org/

Craig on instagram @Made_by_CMCH

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