Name, where did you grow up and where do you live now?

I was born in South Australia, where my parents farmed at Claypans until they picked up the farming operation and sheep stud, put everything on the train (including the sheep) and headed west. Growing up as one of four girls on a mixed farm in the Western Australian Wheatbelt town of Corrigin, life was about feeding lambs, climbing haystacks and riding my banana bike! After three-and-a-half years of boarding school in Perth, then four years at UWA doing Ag Science I ventured out into rural WA to work, first at Lake Grace, then Moora. It was while working for the Ag Department that I met an agricultural engineer who happened to hail from the black soils of the Darling Downs. In 1997, I ventured back east with Andrew and we now farm 600ha at Felton and Ellangowan with our three teenage sons, kelpie Monty and a goat called Spanky.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A professional hockey player

Current description of job with GRDC?

As the Crop Protection Manager for the Northern Region, I get to talk to growers, agronomists and researchers to understand the most pressing issues in the paddock with regard to pests, weeds and diseases. I work closely with the discipline managers and my regional counterparts across Australia providing a Queensland and New South Wales perspective as investments are developed and where required I develop regionally specific projects to tackle our biggest issues.

What has been your career path/journey to this role?

A little bit of everything but all very agricultural – weighbridge officer with CBH, degree in ag science, extension/advisory work with the Ag Dept in WA (for some time in a GRDC funded position), commercial agronomy with IAMA on the Darling Downs, agricultural writing, Landcare coordinator, GRDC Northern Panel member and farmer.

What was the worst job you’ve ever done, why was it terrible, and more importantly what did you learn from the experience?

Selling bunches of flowers in industrial estates while at uni. One Friday I filled in for a friend, who had developed quite a following and it was then that I learnt the importance of relationship building. I didn’t have the relationship, and they didn’t want to buy from me! It didn’t help that Thursday nights were particularly ‘big’ at uni which made the following day a long one.

What do you see as the key/s to being successful in your current position with GRDC?

I am privileged to have worked in different farming systems and in different roles, so I value the ability to relate across the entire spectrum, from researchers to agronomists to farmers. One of my favourite farmers told me once: “You became a better adviser when you became a farmer”. While I don’t think everyone needs to follow this path to be successful, being able to appreciate the complexity of decision making in a farming operation is something that is extremely valuable in my position with GRDC.

Who do you admire in the grains industry and why?

There are too many to list, but I take my hat off every day to growers for being able to juggle the complexities of what they do.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Surround yourself with good people.

How are you getting through COVID19 - and tips?

I’m not enjoying the increase in email traffic and missing the face to face interaction with people, but am doing what I need to do to keep my family, colleagues and friends safe.

What advice would you give a graduate/student who is keen to join the grains industry?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and admit you don’t know, but will find out – and make sure you do. If you get the opportunity, attend some industry conferences or events while still at uni and start to link with mentors. Be brave, passionate and committed.