Special scholarship honours Ann-Maree Galagher’s dedication to bank, community

ANZ has announced Jake Darcy as the recipient of the 2025 Ann-Maree Galagher Memorial Scholarship for the esteemed Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program (AALP).

“The scholarship’s namesake, Ann-Maree Galagher, dedicated over 30 years to ANZ, becoming a well-known and trusted advocate in the agribusiness sector,” said a media statement released by ANZ.

“Her commitment to her family and her local Wee Waa community was also unwavering, making this memorial scholarship a fitting tribute to her legacy.”

ANZ head of agribusiness Mark Bennett said: “By investing in a program like AALP, we are investing in the personal and professional leadership capabilities of our people.

“This scholarship award is a fitting tribute to Ann-Maree Galagher, who was a stalwart of our agricultural business and a dedicated member and leader of her community for many years.”

The 2025 scholarship recipient – Jake Darcy – has worked as a senior relationship manager based in South Australia and ANZ described him as “a well-deserving recipient of this year’s award”.

The scholarship will give Jake the opportunity to take part in the Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program, which is a bespoke 11-day development course that brings together a diverse mix of agribusiness leaders to build leadership capability within the sector and is valued at over $15,000.

Jake has made the agricultural industry the focus of his career for more than 10 years and is set to commence a three-month secondment as state director SA/WA/NT within ANZ’s agribusiness sector.

“I look forward to participating in a highly-rewarding program that offers the opportunity to learn from experienced leaders and connect with like-minded peers,” said Jake.

“The focus on rural and regional communities and the agribusiness sector will provide invaluable insights and broaden my perspective on leadership.

“The AALP has a longstanding reputation in our field for enhancing leadership capabilities and challenging participants to think more broadly about what encompasses a leadership position.”

Australian Rural Leadership Foundation chief executive officer Matt Linnegar said: “The valued partnerships we have with organisations like ANZ have made the AALP the experience that it is today – Australia’s only national agribusiness leadership program that brings leaders from across the agri-spectrum together in a shared experience.

“We look forward to welcoming Jake to the 2025 program which also marks 10 years of impact for the Australia Agribusiness sector.”

The positive impact Ann-Maree had on the community would be well-known to readers.

When she sadly died in 2021, Ann-Maree was remembered as a great advocate for the Wee Waa district as well as a loving wife to John and mother to Maddison, Caitlyn and Angus. The life of the party and a caring friend, Ann-Maree was a very popular and well-respected community member.

Locals said they would be hard-pressed to find a committee in town that Ann-Maree didn’t generously volunteer her time towards.

The late Ann-Maree Galagher, a popular and well-respected member of the community. ANZ has a memorial scholarship named in her honour.

From her unwavering service on the Wee Waa and District Chamber of Commerce to the popular Christmas Mardi Gras night and joining forces with farmers to fight for fair water rights, if the people of Wee Waa needed help – Ann-Maree was always there, ready to go into battle.

Her advocacy for early childhood education continues to be recognised and recently at the Wee Waa & District School fundraiser there was a ‘Ann-Maree Galagher Memorial Champagne Auction’ to honour the former preschool committee president and the many years she spent supporting its growth.

Ann-Maree didn’t just show up to meetings; she made a real and long-lasting impact, helping to make our region a better place to live, do business and visit.

A Wee Waarian through-and-through, Ann-Maree lobbied hard to attract and retain services to ensure residents had the chance to flourish.

She established a successful career in agri-business with the ANZ bank, while continuing to volunteer and contribute to the community she loved along with her much-loved family – husband John and children Maddie, Caitlyn and Angus.

The memorial scholarship has been named in Ann-Maree Galagher’s honour since 2023 and is awarded on a yearly basis.