Lilia Jenkins (Vic)

I live in Melbourne, having moved here from Tassie in 2023 for work. I really enjoy it, as Melbourne is such a vibrant city that offers plenty to do outside of work, and I’m really active in the creative scene here. Professionally, it’s also ideally based.

It’s right at the centre of my main research networks, but still close enough to the paddocks to stay connected to the practical side of agriculture. There’s also a lot of dog-friendly hikes nearby!

I was fresh out of Uni when I first joined APEN! I was looking for a strong foundation in extension practice, and it proved to be an excellent starting point for learning the fundamentals. Since then, I’ve stayed involved because it’s been such a valuable way to connect with others, share experiences, and continue developing my understanding of how to make extension more effective and impactful.

I really value finding joy in what I do. At the end of the day, I get to talk about bugs for a living (I work for a research company that focuses on integrated pest management!), which is literally a childhood dream. I think that passion is a real asset in extension.

My 3 core values:  I try to bring Curiosity. Energy. And a bit of Fun into everything I do.