OUR PEOPLE

Pip is an agricultural innovation and technology adoption specialist, with a focus on identifying new science, technology and practices that will increase farm productivity, resilience and sustainability.

With over 15 years’ experience designing and implementing programs to benefit regional, rural and remote communities, Pip is passionate about increasing the knowledge, capacity and connectivity of those working in rural industries and locations.

Pip specialises in agritech and sustainable supply-chains. She has led global innovation programs and has formal qualifications in business management, communications, innovation and strategy development.

ceo@riverineplains.org.au

Brooke joined Riverine Plains in 2022 and oversees the day-to-day business operations of the group.

Brooke is an all-rounder in the office and has extensive experience gained across a variety of roles. Brooke brings hard work, discipline, efficiency, dedication and passion to all of her responsibilities. She places great value on integrity and reliability and is a versatile professional within the office environment.

brooke@riverineplains.org.au

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.

kate@riverineplains.org.au

Jane works across a portfolio of research, development and extension projects. She specialises in soils and manages a number of soils-related projects, including those focused 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.

jane@riverineplains.org.au

Lynnette has extensive experience in working collaboratively across communities, government and business. She brings significant experience in regional development, local government and vocational education and training.

She has held General Manager, CEO and Director roles in local and state government and vocational education and training across regional and remote mining areas in WA.

Lynnette is delighted to provide financial management and system support to Riverine Plains.

lynnette@riverineplains.org.au

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.

lynn@riverineplains.org.au

Michelle has over 20 years’ experience working in agriculture and communications, and has held roles in government, corporate agribusiness and not-for-profit sectors. She has a background in grain production and extension, with extensive experience in agricultural writing and content production.

Michelle is the editor of the Riverine Plains Newsletter and produces the blog, media releases and other communications for the group. Michelle is also involved in the production of our flagship publications and creates content for the Riverine Plains website.

Michelle is passionate about helping farmers access timely and relevant information that can improve their profitability and sustainability of their businesses.

michelle@riverineplains.org.au

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 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

Rhiannan has several years agronomy experience across horticulture and broadacre cropping systems, as well as experience in logistics. She is passionate about knowledge sharing and capacity building in rural and regional Australia.

Rhiannan works on a range of projects at Riverine Plains with a keen interest in technology and innovation to support a more sustainable future.

rhiannan@riverineplains.org.au

Sophie is passionate about improving farm productivity and efficiency.

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.

sophie@riverineplains.org.au

Sayra has a background in regenerative agriculture projects in both Paraguay and Argentina. Her focus lies in the development of agricultural systems that are not only productive but also environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

Sayra holds a degree in Agronomy from the National University of Asuncion and recently completed a Master’s in Agricultural Sciences with a focus on sustainable food production at the University of Melbourne.

As an Extension Officer, Sayra is involved in various Riverine Plains projects and events. Her focus will be on projects related to carbon farming and sustainability.

sayra@riverineplains.org.au

Sabita plays an important role across multiple projects and is working closely with farmers and providing technical support to assist Riverine Plains’ research teams.

She holds a Master of Science degree in plant pathology, reflecting her deep understanding of plant diseases and their impact in agriculture. Sabita has valuable experience in soil science gained from Western Sydney University, NSW. She hopes to bring to her role a unique blend of academic insight and field experience, fostering sustainable agriculture with a positive relationship within the farming community.

Sabita also has a keen interest in plant microbes and their interactions with soil and plants, with a focus on discovering strategies that contribute to climate mitigation.  

sabita@riverineplains.org.au

Laura is responsible for developing strategies to support membership growth and engagement and is leading the delivery of key showcase events. Laura will also be managing the effective use of the Riverine Plains brand across both external and internal channels.

Laura is a successful marketing leader with deep roots in farming and a strong connection to the region. With proven accomplishments in driving growth and increasing profits, she is known for her passion, drive, and engaging personality. Laura is eager to continue making a positive impact in the agricultural industry.

laura@riverineplains.org.au

As a veterinarian graduated from the National University of Asuncion, Juan has extensive experience in farming management and animal clinic and nutrition.

Juan is passionate about agribusiness and animal genetics and, as a Field Officer, is committed to working closely with farmers to build a future where productivity, sustainability and animal welfare go hand in hand.

juan@riverineplains.org.au

Peter is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience in agricultural systems. He truly loves the people in agriculture. Recognising agriculture’s role in both the challenges and solutions for our planet, he seeks to make a positive impact in this field.

Peter has a background in agricultural extension government projects in Taiwan. He holds a Bachelor of Agronomy from National Chiayi University and completed a Master’s in Agricultural Sciences at the University of Melbourne.

peter@riverineplains.org.au

Working as a Field Trial Manager, Matt’s role is to oversee on-farm trials and projects, communicating and collaborating with farmers and stakeholders alike to achieve results that will benefit and improve agricultural practices.

Matt’s previous on- and off-farm roles within various regions of NSW, Victoria, and Canada have provided him with a wealth of experience to draw upon and utilise with Riverine Plains.

matthew@riverineplains.org.au

Fiona farms with her husband Craig in the Rennie area, north of Mulwala. They are broadacre, dryland grain growers also operating a prime lamb enterprise. They have been farming together for 26 years and hope their children will be fourth generation farmers in this area.

Fiona is a life-long learner with a background in applied science and education. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the NFF Diversity in Ag Leadership Program and the Grains Social Leadership Program. Fiona has served on the GRDC Southern Panel and is passionate about building capacity within the grains industry from the laboratory to the farm, to the end user and all in between.

Fiona strives to improve the profile and profitability of Australian agriculture with a particular focus on women in the industry.

Melissa Brown has been a committee member since 2018 and is one of the inaugural Member Directors of Riverine Plains.

She is a partner in a family-run mixed farming business, Moorilim Pastoral Company, based near Murchison, Victoria. Melissa is currently employed by BASF Agricultural Solutions as the Technical Development Manager for Broadacre crops and has extensive field trial experience and understanding of agronomic systems across Australia.

Melissa has a Bachelor of Agriculture from Dookie College and is an Australian Rural Leadership Foundation Alumni. She is passionate about improving her community and promoting agriculture as a career pathway for the next generation.

Murray Scholz is the owner and manager of his family farming business producing grain, oilseeds, beef and lamb in the eastern Riverina. He has been a member of Riverine Plains for over 15 years.

Murray is an experienced Board Director with over 10 years of commercial and not for profit experience in strategic direction, financial management, corporate governance and communication strategy in commercial agricultural business, capacity building, and research.

He has served as a director of Nuffield Australia, of Queensland Crop Research and Holbrook Landcare. He is currently a director of Regional Development Australia Murray Region and Riverine Plains Farming Systems Group. He sits on the NSW Rural Assistance Authority Disaster Assistance Grants Appeals Panel. He also sat on the Industry Advisory Panel of the Graham Centre (Charles Sturt University & NSW DPI) and GRDC Southern NSW Grower Network.

Murray is a nationally recognised innovator and his experience in agriculture has led him to present at conferences in Canada, India, and Japan. In Australia he has presented at government, industry and university conferences including ABARES National Outlook Conference, Australian Farm Institute conferences, and GRDC updates.

Murray is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and completed The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers (TEPAP Texas A&M).

Luke Mathews joined the family farm at Corowa in March 2020 after nearly two decades in corporate agribusiness, commodity research and marketing, and agricultural policy and advocacy roles.

The family business incorporates dryland and irrigated broadacre cropping, lucerne hay production, beef cattle, commercial wool production and the Borambil Merino and Poll Merino Stud.

Luke is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ryan Berndt joined the Board of Riverine Plains in October 2022.

Ryan farms with his wife Stephanie in the Strathmerton, Victoria, area and also has a property in southern NSW. They are irrigated and dryland winter crop growers with the main crops being wheat, barley and canola, and also trade sheep. Ryan and Stephanie are first generation farmers, having purchased their first block 10 years ago.

Prior to returning home to the farm in 2022, Ryan spent 18 years in corporate agribusiness. He has held numerous roles in agronomy and national fertiliser management, including with Elders, Hi Fert, Impact, Viterra, Ruralco and Nutrien.

Anna Toland is a third-generation farmer and owns and operates Toland Poll Merino Stud located at Violet Town, Victoria. After completing a Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 2003 at The University of Melbourne, she relocated to Roseworthy, South Australia to undertake further studies in wool science. Following a year managing 500,000 acres and 25,000 sheep, she returned to the farm at the end of 2008 and has since been working alongside her husband Simon and father Phil.

Toland Poll has been utilising EIDs since 2007 and collects roughly 60 traits over the lifetime of a ewe. The focus of the stud initially was on reproduction and wool traits, but in the last 10 years a lot more focus has been put on the carcass attributes of the animal as well. Utilising EIDs has improved the accuracy and efficiency of data recorded.

Brondwen MacLean is a Director of Pivotal Management Consulting. Until her retirement in July 2019, she was General Manager of Research Programs at the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and spent over 20 years at GRDC in various parts of the business, including Senior Manager of Breeding Programs.

Brondwen served as Executive Manager on all three of GRDC’s Regional Panels. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has been a mentor is several programs, including NFF’s Diversity in Agricultural Leadership Program. Since retiring, Brondwen has consulted for the CRC for Developing Northern Australia, undertaken company governance and structural reviews, for both the public and private sector and assisted AgriFutures Australia in their establishment of the growAG platform and more broadly across the business.

Brondwen was an interim Director for Rice Breeding Australia, a newly established company focused on delivering better (more water efficient) rice varieties for Australian growers. Currently Brondwen is undertaking a number of consultancies in areas of biosecurity, governance and structural reforms.