Staff
Riverine Plains Inc employs a number of specialist staff to administer the group
Catherine Marriott
Chief Executive Officer
Catherine is the group’s Chief Executive Officer. Catherine brings to the role a wealth of experience in building farmer member-based organisations, building partnerships and developing and managing research.
As inaugural CEO, Catherine is developing and delivering a value driven strategic plan and operating plan. These will ensure relevant research, events and services are delivered to increase profitability and value for all members, partners and the organisation.
Dr Sara Hely
Director of Research and Operations
Over the last 20 years, Sara has held management roles in agricultural research in state and federal government as well as large investors in rural research, development and extension within the agricultural science and rural industries.
Sara has a PhD in climate change research and specific knowledge in the grains industry, agrotechnology, digital agriculture and organisational performance. She has also worked extensively in program and project management roles, as well as in strategy development and implementation.
Brooke Sanderson
Executive Assistant
Brooke joined Riverine Plains Inc as Executive Assistant in 2022 and oversees the group’s day to day operations.
Brooke prides herself on being an all rounder in the office and has extensive experience gained across a variety of roles. Brooke strives to be regarded as an honest and trustworthy individual while combining hard work, discipline, efficiency, dedication and passion.
Kate Coffey
Project Officer
Kate provides project management services for Riverine Plains.
Kate has a background in agricultural economics and has worked in various agricultural roles for 20 years. Kate currently manages community engagement projects, on-farm demonstrations and discussion groups for Riverine Plains.
Jane McInnes
Project Officer
As Project Officer, Jane works across a portfolio of research, development and extension projects, including the Australian Cool Farm Initiative and projects on managing subsoil acidity and soil health.
Jane has a background in surface water modelling and gully erosion research and brings strong mapping and computing skills to the team.
Rhiannan McPhee
Project Officer
Rhiannan has taken on a number of project extension roles within Riverine Plains and is also a Knowledge Broker for the Southern NSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.
Rhiannan has several years agronomy experience across horticulture and broadacre cropping systems (both irrigated and dryland), as well as experience in logistics.
Sophie Hanna
Project Officer - livestock
Sophie is passionate about improving farm productivity and efficiency and strives to achieve this as the Livestock Project Officer.
Having grown up and worked on a beef cattle grazing farm in the Upper Murray, Sophie is particularly interested in livestock production, soil science and genetics. Sophie holds a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of Melbourne and completed an Honours year in soil science at CSU, Wagga Wagga.
Anna Lonergan
Project Support Officer
As Project Support Officer, Anna provides administration and project management support to the leadership team, as well as field support for Field and Project officers with new and existing projects.
Anna has a background in Environmental Science and Management, and has strong passion for sustainable agriculture, research and development, and the conservation of native ecosystems.
Lynn Macaulay
Membership Officer (Graduate)
Lynn‘s role is to service members while also aiming to grow the Riverine Plains’ membership base.
Lynn has previous experience working on broadacre cropping farms in NSW and WA, as well as in England, where she spent three years completing her degree in Agriculture and Business Management.
Lynn has a keen interest in innovation, diversification and technology in Agriculture and is based in the group’s Mulwala office.
Claudia Powell
Communications Manager
Claudia manages Riverine Plains’ communications channels as well as engagement with Riverine Plains’ partners. Through collaboration with the Research Team and industry stakeholders, Claudia’s job is to ensure that there is an effective strategy in place to manage both internal and external communications.
Claudia grew up on a on a mixed cropping and livestock farm in far northwest NSW, which has given her a connection to, and a love of, country life. Claudia holds a Bachelor of Media and Communications from the University of New England.
Michelle Pardy
Communications Officer
Michelle is the editor of the Newsletter, Grower Bulletin and Research for the Riverine Plains (Trial Book). Michelle also produces media releases and generates other written content for Riverine Plains Inc.
Michelle has a background in grains extension and agricultural writing.
Katherine Seddon
Corporate Communications Manager
Katherine is a Communications professional with over 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit, education and research sectors. Having spent the last five years as Communication Manager for the Soil CRC, she has knowledge of agricultural research and understands the importance of sharing science with farmers.
She has a passion for soil health and farming and is excited to be working closely with farmers to bring them the most up to date, relevant research in a timely and regionally relevant way. She will be managing all corporate communications and working on special projects for Riverine Plains.
ABN 95 443 809 873
