Introduction: "Australia's productivity growth had fallen from being among the best in the world a decade ago to being amongst the worst currently" - Ross Garnaut

Overview: Responding to drought in a dry continent; The National Drought Policy; The Challenges of Implementation; Options for the future; The National Institute for Rural and Regional Australia

AgriFood industry snapshot; 2010 Environmental Scan; Key regional skills, workforce development and industry priorities

Aboriginal Employment through Caring for our country grant Csae study

Innovative and resilient small businesses are an important part of the ability of rural communities to be adaptable and to weather the storms of change *An integrated partnership- based approach is needed to help strengthen the small business sector of rural communities * A key focus should be on capturing and harnessing local knowledge and can-do attitude *Resilience thinking provides a robust framework in which to work with the smal l business sector to achieve good regional development outcomes

Connecting young Aboriginal people to local industry: a cotton case study

Promoting small towns through events and themes

Rural research and regional innovation: Are past and present research funding policies building future resilience in the bush&amp:

* Adaptation is the common thread in regional Australia - Adapt or perish - Business level and community level * People follow jobs (not the reverse) * Boom and bust cycles inevitable
- Local control and influence (capital, attractiveness) are keys to helping transitions Ad hoc handouts vs. medium term buffering, transition andadaptation *Local leadership and vision are crucial * Population, diversity and even 'growth' are means to an end rather than ends in themselves