11 October, 2021
FIONA HART LEAVES RIVERINE PLAINS WITH LIFE MEMBERSHIP
After 18 years of dedicated service, Riverine Plains have farewelled Chief Operating Officer, Fiona Hart, who is moving on from the organisation to pursue a new career opportunity.
In honour and recognition of the significant role Fiona has played within the organisation, and the community more broadly, Fiona has been awarded a Riverine Plains Life Membership – the first ever presented by the group.
Riverine Plains Chairman, Ian Trevethan, explained that Fiona Hart’s name has become inexorably linked with Riverine Plains and her departure marks the end of an era.
“I’d like to acknowledge and thank Fiona for the huge contribution she’s made to the organisation over such an extended length of time. Over the past 18 years, Fiona’s high personal morals and values have become embedded in the culture of Riverine Plains and are a big reason that the group enjoys the respect that it does” said Ian.
Riverine Plains was established in 1999 to improve the flow of agricultural research and other information across the southern NSW and north-east Victorian border region and Fiona was originally employed in 2003 to help manage the group’s activities and develop its scope as a farming systems group. As the group grew, so did her role, which evolved from Administrator, to Executive Officer and then to Chief Operating Officer.
Through Fiona’s leadership, along with the direction provided by successive committees and staff, Riverine Plains has developed into the organisation it is today. Fiona’s calm influence, her thoroughness and attention to detail has helped the group deliver innumerable field days, study tours, seminars, research and extension projects and skills-based courses over the years, as well as the establishment of a scholarship program to support local tertiary students in agriculture.
Fiona Hart said that she has thoroughly enjoyed her time with Riverine Plains as it is a unique organisation, with a rich history, wonderful people and a vibrant future.
“It would be impossible to thank everyone that I’ve worked with over the years, however I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the members, past committee members, current board members, staff, sponsors, researchers, project partners and associates with which I’ve had the honour of working” she said.
“I’d like to especially thank the group’s past Chairmen David Cook, Adam Inchbold, Andrew Russell, Evan Ryan, John Bruce and current Chairman, Ian Trevethan, for their leadership and contributions to the organisation. Riverine Plains has an exciting future ahead and I look forward to keeping in touch with the group’s successes” added Ms Hart.
Ian Trevethan said that Fiona’s gentle and caring nature will be greatly missed by the staff, the board, members and partners alike.
“I’d like to congratulate Fiona on her new role with the CFA and look forward to her ongoing involvement in the group through her Life Membership” concluded Ian.