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 will develop and deliver both a value driven strategic and an operating plan to ensure research, events and services are delivered which are relevant, increase profitability and deliver value for all members, partners and the organisation.
Dr Sara Hely
Director of Research
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.
Emily Thompson
Director Communications, Events and Marketing
Over the past 20 years Emily has held management roles across a variety of industries from Corporate Banking to Hospitality. Emily has been running her own Marketing and Events Management business for the past 7 years, with a particular focus on agriculture, regional and rural NSW. She and her husband run a small mixed farming enterprise near Wagga Wagga.
Emily holds a B Sc. Resource and Environmental Management
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.
Kate Parker
Project Officer
Kate brings a variety of on farm and extension experience from an array of farming areas and commodities including horticulture, rice, cotton, grains, beef and sheep.
Kate will have a predominate focus on livestock projects within Riverine Plains, focusing initially with the pilot project on containment feeding.
Kate is located near Violet Town where she assists in managing a commercial farming enterprise.
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.
Rhiannan has strong passion for research and development and is based at the group’s Mulwala Office.
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.
Rebecca Berrigan
Events Manager
Rebecca has more than 15 years‘ experience in events, with an extensive background in hospitality. After completing a Masters in Event and marketing management, Rebecca worked on some of Sydney’s most prestigious and high-profile events. Rebecca has significant experience in building events and client relationship.
Her love for the region makes her very passionate about bringing the community together through completing seamless events.
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.
Lynn Macaulay
Membership Officer (Graduate)
As Membership Officer, Lynn‘s role will be 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.
ABN 95 443 809 873
