Grasping Golden Key to unlock new learning

Adrian Rasmussen • July 21, 2016

There is sometimes a perception that if you live in a regional area, you don’t have access to career advancement or professional learning opportunities.  I’m pleased to debunk that myth.

At the risk of sounding a little bit nerdy, I was excited to be invited into the Golden Key, an international academic honour society, designed to help its members realise their potential in leadership, academia and service. This was made possible through achieving good results in my bachelor degree studies at USQ.

Through the Golden Key society, I was given the opportunity to attend the Business and Entrepreneurship Delegation of the International Scholar Laureate Program in Sydney and Melbourne. This was a huge conference than ran over eight days with over 200 attendees from all over the world, including the US, South Africa and New Zealand to name a few.

We received talks from some very interesting people including Dr Margaret Heffernan and Damian Jones from 3M.

So what did I learn? There were a few key points that I took away from the conference – both professional and personal:

  1. A suitcase is a lot smaller than it looks (seriously) – although maybe trying to pack six pairs of shoes for the time away was a bit optimistic…
  2. Australia has a huge focus on sustainability when compared to other countries (particularly the US). We had to do a case study during the week in groups of 3 – 4 and come up with a new product that Australia needs and every idea that was presented was based around sustainability – that was really interesting!
  3. There is a huge support base for entrepreneurs that I didn’t know existed – venture capitalist funds, “fast tracked” entrepreneur programs, support networks and degrees based around the idea of becoming an entrepreneur
  4. The importance of setting realistic goals and having a timeframe to achieve them
  5. Being more than just a business – corporate social responsibility is becoming so important.
  6. We had a talk from 3M and they spoke about the importance of employee wellbeing and supporting the community

Most of all the experience taught me how important it is to broaden your learning experiences, seek out new ideas and be prepared to grasp opportunities when they come your way.

We may be in a country town, but look at Luke and Cody Cook, Andrew McCullough, Margot Robbie, Andrew McGahan, Mark O’Shea, Jarryd James and many others, being from Dalby is not a barrier to adventure, leadership and success.

Adrian Rasmussen retires after decades supporting Regional Queensland

By BMO • June 30, 2026
After an incredible career dedicated to supporting regional businesses, farming families and rural communities, BMO Business Centre Partner Adrian Rasmussen will officially retire from the partnership effective 30 June 2026. For many across the Western Downs and beyond, Adrian has been far more than an accountant or advisor. Over decades in business, he has built trusted relationships grounded in honesty, loyalty and a genuine understanding of regional life and the people who live it. Adrian’s connection to the country and agriculture has always been at the heart of who he is. He has worked alongside generations of farming families and business owners through seasons of growth, challenge and change, becoming a steady and respected presence for clients, colleagues and the wider community alike. Reflecting on his time at BMO, Adrian said the relationships formed throughout his career have been among the most rewarding parts of the journey. “It has been a privilege to work with so many wonderful people over the years; not only clients, but colleagues and communities who have become lifelong friends,” Adrian said. “Regional communities are built on relationships, trust and supporting one another, and I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of that throughout my career.” BMO Business Centre Managing Partners Kelvin Tyler and Michelle McVeigh said Adrian’s contribution to both the business and the region would leave a lasting legacy. “Adrian has played an incredibly important role in shaping BMO into the business it is today,” they said. “His care for clients, commitment to regional communities and calm, practical approach have earned enormous respect across our industry and the communities we serve. While we will certainly miss having him in the office, we are excited for Adrian and his family as they enter this next chapter.” While stepping away from the partnership, Adrian is looking forward to spending more time with family, on the farm and enjoying a well-earned change of pace after many years dedicated to supporting others. Everyone at BMO Business Centre extends their sincere thanks to Adrian for his years of service, friendship and leadership, and wishes Adrian and his family all the very best for the future.

Your 30 June superannuation checklist

By Nikki Ashurst • June 4, 2026
Five easy ways to get more into your super fund before the end of the financial year.