Darcey Boucher-Hill is AGT’s new variety support manager for Southern New South Wales
- AGT new variety support manager
- Guerin to step down as AgForce CEO
- VFF CEO resigns
- New NHVR chief executive officer
- Central Highlands Cotton Award winners
- Pawsey named CEO of AgCarE
- Upper Namoi Cotton Growers awards
- GrainGrowers OnBoard participants announced
- New Rabobank board appointment
Guerin to step down as AgForce CEO
AgForce has announced that its chief executive officer Michael Guerin will step down from his leadership role later in 2025.
Michael Guerin
The organisation will shortly start the process of looking for his replacement to ensure a smooth transition to the new appointee later this year.
AgForce president Shane McCarthy paid tribute to Mr Guerin’s strong contribution and leadership in his eight years in the role and his substantial impact on the organisation and industry during this time.
“Michael has been our longest serving CEO and leaves the organisation in strong shape and with our collective best wishes,” Mr McCarthy said.
“He leaves knowing the organisation is in a great position thanks to the many pivotal decisions and achievements he made in his time at the helm.
Mr Guerin said it had been an absolute privilege to lead such a powerful and purposeful organisation that truly represented Queensland farmers across a diverse range of agricultural industries.
“I’m proud that I was able to help their collective voice to be heard that much louder in critical government decisions about their future,” Mr Guerin said.
AGT new variety support manager
Australian Grain Technologies is pleased to announce the appointment Darcey Boucher-Hill as variety support manager for Southern New South Wales, based at the company’s eastern breeding centre in Wagga Wagga.
Ms Boucher-Hill commenced with AGT in 2022 as variety support officer with an extensive background in agriculture that includes a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, field trial management with the NSW Department of Primary Industry and as a technical officer with AGT.
“I’m excited to continue working closely with growers, agronomists, and researchers to deliver meaningful impact across the region,” Ms Boucher-Hill said.
AGT national seed production lead James Whiteley said he enthusiastic about the new appointment.
Brendan Tatham
“Darcey has consistently excelled in her role as variety support officer, demonstrating a remarkable ability to manage stakeholder relationships and respond to variety related enquiries with confidence and clarity,” Mr Whiteley said.
“This role is a natural next step and we have no doubt she’ll thrive with the added responsibility.”
VFF CEO resigns
After almost three years in the role, Victorian Farmers’ Federation chief executive officer Brendan Tatham has announced his resignation.
Before joining the VFF, Mr Tatham was the CEO of Victorian meat, seafood, poultry and pet meat regulator PrimeSafe and held various roles with the Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries and its former iteration, the Department of Primary Industries.
In a post published to LinkedIn, Mr Tatham said he was “looking forward to new challenges” and wished “the VFF the very best for the future”.
“I came here to rebuild the organisation which is done and it’s time for someone else to take the VFF forward,” Mr Tatham said.
“I thank the Board and dedicated staff for the opportunity, together we’ve made a real difference and had heaps of fun.”
The VFF is currently undergoing the recruitment process to find a replacement CEO.
“On behalf of our members and entire VFF, I thank Brendan for his work and wish him all the best for the future,” VFF president Brett Hosking said.
“He was instrumental in returning the VFF to profit after years of losses and implemented a necessary company-wide turn around that has helped set us up for the future.”
New NHVR chief executive officer
National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has announced the appointment of Nicole Rosie as the new chief executive officer.
Nicole Rosie
NHVR chairperson Duncan Gay AM said Ms Rosie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and is looking forward to officially welcoming her to the NHVR on 30 June 2025.
“I am pleased to announce Ms Rosie was selected as the new NHVR CEO following an extensive and rigorous recruitment process,” Mr Gay said.
“With over 20 years of leadership experience in both the public and private sectors, most recently Ms Rosie was the CEO at New Zealand Transport Agency following her role as CEO of WorkSafe New Zealand.
“Ms Rosie’s strong background in governance, law and public policy, combined with a deep understanding of transport and infrastructure, made her the ideal candidate to lead the NHVR into its next chapter of harmonisation and innovation.”
Leanne and Ross Burnett of Barwin Ag who were awarded 1st Place for Irrigated Yield
Mr Gay also extends a sincere thank you to Interim CEO, Janelle van de Velde.
“I would like to thank Janelle for her outstanding leadership during this transition period and for ensuring business continuity following former CEO Sal Petroccitto OAM’s departure in January,” Mr Gay said.
Central Highlands Cotton Award winners
The Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association held its annual awards night in Emerald last month, bringing together industry members to recognise top-performing growers.
The Burnett family’s Barwin property took top honours in the irrigated category with the Keeley family of Keeley Ag coming in first place for raingrown cotton.
The Ian Mackay Memorial Service and Non-Grower Service to Industry Award was presented to Ian Grayson for his dedication to the next generation and his industry knowledge.
It was also announced that from 2026, the award will be renamed in honour of Liz Alexander.
The Cotton Growers Service to Industry Award went to Greg Kauter, who was recognised for his commitment to adopting industry best practices and mentoring the next generation.
The top three irrigated yield results were:
- 1st place: Ross and Leanne Burnett of Barwin Ag, 15.2 bales/ha;
- 2nd place: Neek and Robyn Morawitz of NRG Ag ‘Stewart Park’, 15.1 bales/ha; and
- 3rd place: Neek and Robyn Morawitz of NRG Ag ‘Currimundi,’ 14.9 bales/ha.
The top raingrown yield results were:
- 1st place: Andrew and Jennifer Keeley, Myamba Farming, of Keeley Ag, 3.6 bales/ha; and
- 2nd place: Nigel and Beth Burnett of Colorada Cotton ‘Denlo Park,’ 3.2 bales/ha.
The quality awards went to: 1st place – Keeley Ag; 2nd place – NRG Ag; and 3rd place – Arcturus Downs, Sam and Lizzy Bradford.
Pawsey named CEO of AgCarE
Mark Pawsey has been announced as the new CEO of AgCarE Services Pty Ltd.
AgCarE is a program that enables agricultural producers to understand, assess, verify and monetise their natural capital assets.
Mr Pawsey has more than 23 years of experience in the development of agricultural technologies in farmer advisory services, as well as having worked as a stockman on large cattle stations.
AgCarE Board chair Julie-Anne Schafer said Mr Pawsey’s experience in launching new operations and growing a solid commercial base for expansion will be of great value while leading AgCarE.
“He is skilled in identifying opportunities in agriculture, and building relationships with farmers, and suppliers alike,” Ms Schafer said.
Ms Schafer acknowledged Mike Guerin’s strong contribution as Interim CEO of AgCarE since July 2024.
“Mr Guerin was instrumental in the development of AgCarE since 2019 when the idea first emerged from an AgForce incubator.”
Merrilong Agricultural Company took out the Grower of the Year award. Photo: Cotton Australia
Upper Namoi Cotton Growers awards
The Upper Namoi Cotton Growers held their Annual Awards dinner earlier this month at the Gunnedah Jockey Club, recognising outstanding achievements in the industry.
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay attended the event, providing an industry update and presenting an award.
Andrew Watson was recognised for his Service to Industry
Grower of the Year went to Merrilong Agricultural Company, while the Service to Industry award was presented to Andrew Watson, and the Young Achiever award was won by Jacob Booby of Namoi Cotton.
The Irrigated Cotton Crop winner was Richard and Tom Hudson of Tivoli Pastoral Company, and the Dryland Cotton Crop prize was won by Merrilong Agricultural Company.
The event also recognised the highest ginned yields from the previous season.
Tom Swain of Glencoe received the Damien Haire Memorial Award for highest farm yield with 14.27 bales/ha, while the Connamarra Partnership Ian Carter, Connarmara, Sicot 714B3XF, C1 won the Rob Eveleigh Highest Dryland Ginned Yield prize with 7.5 b/ha.
GrainGrowers OnBoard participants announced
Six grain industry participants from across Australia gathered in Sydney last week for the first component of the 2025 GrainGrowers OnBoard director program.
2025 GrainGrowers OnBoard director program participant James Cleaver
Renee Anderson (Queensland), Monica Armanini (New South Wales), James Cleaver (New South Wales), Emily Coggan (Queensland), Hannah Dabinett (South Australia) and Ruth Sommerville (South Australia) undertook training and discussion around governance and leadership skills during the event.
Combining the mix of leadership capability and sound governance skills, the OnBoard program has been developed as a professional development opportunity for industry participants, integrating hard and soft skills training delivered by expert facilitators.
Fifth generation farmer, James Cleaver from Dubbo said the training provided an insight into how boards work, and what boards are looking for when selecting members.
“OnBoard is an awesome opportunity to refine our skills a little bit and also talk the same language as those people who have that experience and who are working on boards every day.” Mr Cleaver said.
GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said since 2021 OnBoard had helped provide participants with the skills and abilities to contribute to industry boards and committees in a positive manner.
“Over time we have pleasingly seen an increasing number of graduates take up industry roles, and I am excited to see how this new group progresses,” Ms Gawel said.
New Rabobank board appointment
Rabobank Australia Limited has announced the appointment of Carolyn Colley to its board of directors.
Announcing the appointment, which became effective on April 1, Rabobank Australia chair James Fazzino said Ms Colley has more than 30 years’ executive experience in financial services, technology and innovation sectors, and is a highly-regarded company director.
“Carolyn’s extensive leadership experience spanning financial services, technology, product development and innovation will add great value to the board of Rabobank as the bank continues to develop and grow in the Australian market,” Mr Fazzion said.
Ms Colley previously held senior executive roles at Macquarie Bank, St George Bank and BT Financial Group and also co-founded – and was Chief Operating Officer of – Faethm, a global SaaS (software as a service) analytics platform which helps companies and governments address the future of work.
Ms Colley is currently an independent non-executive director of Count Ltd, the Australian Securities Exchange’s (ASX) Clearing and Settlement boards and Smartgroup.
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