Committee and Staff

Chairperson

Started farming in 1974 and bought a property in the Yarra Yarra region in 2001 close to Wubin. I joined NACC as a Board Member from 2002 – 2005. In 2005 I was elected as the Chair of the Yarra Yarra Catchment Management Group and have been there ever since. No one is willing to step up into the position at this stage and I feel it’s important to remain a part of the group as it would be a shame to see all the hard work go to waste. I hope to see some renewed interest in the region in the near future and it’s great to have some new faces on the committee to take it into the next chapter of projects planned.

Vice Chairperson

I previously worked as for the YYCMG as a Natural Resource Management Officer (NRMO) for 6 years, and have worked for NACC in various roles since 2013, currently as the Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator. I have been involved with the YYCMG in one form or another since moving to Australia from the UK in 2007.
I live on a farm east of Bunjil, with my husband Geoff and our three children. I am involved in the bookwork side of the business and sometimes the sheepwork, but am yet to learn how to drive the header! I’m actively involved in the local community, working in Perenjori, as well as being involved with the Perenjori Community Garden. I have always been interested in landcare, and particularly how landcare and agriculture work together.

Past Secretary 
&
Community Landcare Coordinator

I have been studying and volunteering in the enviro industry for 10 years now and I’m keen to put some of that knowledge to use with the YYCMG!

I hold a Cert II, III & IV in Conservation and Land Management, as well as a double major Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management & Conservation Biology. I have a deep passion for all things environmental, especially roles which manage multiple levels of environmental factors at a holistic approach, and are able to integrate an aspect of community, where the impacts of projects can be directly seen within the surrounding landscape and residents.

Some of my favourite enviro experiences include; monitoring and tagging Flatback Turtles on Barrow Island, caring for emu eggs and freshly hatched chicks, snorkling in Gnaraloo Bay, and attending a study tour at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation in Virginia USA, where I got lost in the woods with a black bear and grappled with White Tailed Deer in efforts to attach radio tracking devices!

Treasurer

I am the Treasurer for the Yarra Yarra Catchment Management Group (Inc). I have been in this position since March 2004. I work from home which is on a farm 60km north-east of Kalannie, which I also farm with my husband Grant. We have three children, Ryan, Sophie and Tessa. I play tennis and enjoy being involved in the Kalannie community.

Committee Member

I live and work on our farm with my husband Ashley just west of Perenjori. I am also currently also on the Community Resource Centre Committee and enjoy being involved on a community level. I grew up on a farm and have always been interested in agriculture and how we can support the land through landcare. I am interested in different farming practices and the way farming methods change so rapidly in an ever changing environment.

Committee Member

I’ve lived in the Coorow-Carnamah area my whole life on family farms, and am currently farming with my husband on property which boarders the Coorow, Carnamah and Perenjori Shires.
I have a background in farming and wanted to join the YYCMG as I am very passionate about research into sustainable farming for the future generations, as well as soil health and it effects on sustainability.
Aside from day-to-day farm life I am also completing my Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Accounting and Business Law, part time.