Duncan Bremner started as GPA CEO this week. Photo: GPA
- GPA announces new CEO
- New Grains Australia directors, chair
- VFF leadership changes
- Rabobank appoints new SA, NT manager
- Grant joins AgriPark
- Underwood named Pioneer head of sales
- Kununurra officer joins CottonInfo
- McMeekin joins Norco
- Stewart named Cotton Aus regional manager
- New GA Pulse Council members
- Upper Namoi cotton grower awards
GPA announces new CEO
Grain Producers Australia has appointed Duncan Bremner as its new chief executive officer.
GPA chair Barry Large said Mr Bremner brings significant experience in the agricultural sector and leadership qualities that would complement GPA’s work on behalf of grain producers.
“Duncan is a great addition to GPA and we look forward to reinforcing our passionate and proactive advocacy work and representation under his guidance,” Mr Large said.
“The number of applicants and high calibre of those wishing to work with GPA in the CEO role was heartening and we thank everyone for their efforts and interest.”
Mr Large said it was important for GPA to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of its outgoing chief executive Colin Bettles.
Mr Bremner has more than 20 years’ experience in leading and advising national agricultural organisations with producer, political and business focuses.
Raised on a mixed farm in central New South Wales, Mr Bremner started his career in the northern Australian cattle industry before moving into industry representation.
He has worked with Animal Medicines Australia, Rugby Australia, Cattle Council of Australia, and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
New Grains Australia directors, chair
Three new directors, NSW grower John Woods, governance specialist Rob DiMonte of South Australia and NSW farmer Sally Morgan have joined the Grains Australia board this month.
Exiting the board are outgoing chair Andrew Young from WA and Rebecca Reardon from NSW, who have been with Grains Australia since its inception in late 2020.
John Woods.
Mr Woods is the new Grains Australia chair.
“It has been a privilege to contribute to the establishment of Grains Australia alongside such highly capable directors and staff,” Mr Young said.
“I welcome John, Rob and Sally to the board and wish them every success in their roles. I am very confident that Grains Australia is well placed to move forward with a clear focus on delivering even greater value on behalf of growers and industry.”
Grains Australia CEO Richard Simonaitis thanked Mr Young and Ms Reardon for their strategic guidance during the organisation’s formative years.
“Andrew and Rebecca have both played key roles in positioning Grains Australia as the leading body delivering vital functions for the grains industry,” Mr Simonaitis said.
“John has very strong farming connections and a deep understanding of our industry.”
VFF leadership changes
Following the Victorian National Party pre-selection process, Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hosking has been endorsed as the candidate for the seat of Murray Plains.
Brett Hosking.
In accordance with clause 26.1.1 of the VFF Constitution, Mr Hosking is required to step aside from his duties as president until the date of the relevant poll.
The VFF Board has resolved that vice-president Peter Starr will assume the responsibilities of president in an acting capacity.
This arrangement is in place from April 23 and will remain until the conclusion of the current term on June 2, coinciding with the 2026 VFF Conference.
From this date, Ryan Milgate will officially begin his role as president.
Rabobank appoints new SA, NT manager
Rabobank has appointed Peter Evans as state manager for South Australia and the Northern Territory, taking over from Roger Matthews, who is taking on new responsibilities as the bank’s head of commercial analytics.
In this role, Mr Evans will be in charge of Rabobank’s rural banking operations across SA and the NT and will also have responsibility for its business in north-west Victoria.
He moves into the position from Rabobank head of relationship management Victoria-Tasmania team.
Peter Evans.
Announcing the appointment, Rabobank group executive for Country Banking Australia Marcel van Doremaele said Mr Evans was an experienced leader with a comprehensive understanding of, and dedication to, agriculture and agribusiness banking.
“Peter joined Rabobank 21 years ago, beginning in our Esperance branch in a rural manager role, which led him to leading the Riverina team as a regional manager,” Mr van Doremaele said.
“Prior to his current role with the Victoria-Tasmania team, he was responsible for delivering a range of digital solutions for the bank,” Mr van Doremaele said.
Mr Evans, who commenced in his new role this month, said he was excited to be taking on the leadership of Rabobank’s operations in “one of the nation’s most dynamic agricultural regions – working with innovative grain enterprises, high rainfall dairy operations, northern beef producers, sheep, lamb and wool producers and irrigation-based businesses along the Murray River”.
Grant joins AgriPark
Pip Grant has been named the new executive director Charles Sturt – AgriPark.
Pip Grant
Ms Grant is an agrifood innovation leader with more than 15 years of experience spanning RD&E strategy, agritech commercialisation, rural community engagement, and investment facilitation.
She has led global innovation initiatives, built national platforms connecting research, capital, and industry, and worked across the full agrifood pipeline from investment and program design through to on-farm adoption.
Most recently, Ms Grant served as CEO of Riverine Plains, one of Australia’s leading farmer-led innovation organisations, designing and delivering large-scale innovation projects, focusing on high-impact extension and adoption.
“What excites me about AgriPark is the proximity to rural industries and communities,” Ms Grant said.
“Researchers, commercial innovators, industry partners and investors working alongside each other, accelerating the journey from idea to impact.”
AgriPark is headquartered at Charles Sturt University’s Wagga Wagga campus, and is described as an innovation ecosystem dedicated to research, curated collaboration and sustainable production.
Underwood named Pioneer Head of Sales
Pioneer Seeds has appointed Rebecca Underwood as head of sales – Australia.
Chief operating officer Jason Morris said Ms Underwood’s appointment reflects Pioneer Seeds’ commitment to the industry and customer relationships.
Beck Underwood.
“Beck brings a deep understanding of the Australian seed industry and proven ability to work closely with resellers and agronomists to deliver positive outcomes for Australian farmers,” Mr Morris said.
With over two decades of experience across agronomy, rural retail and seed leadership roles, Ms Underwood career is grounded in working closely with farming businesses all around the country.
Raised on a family farm in central NSW, she has a strong appreciation for the challenges and opportunities facing Australian growers.
“I look forward to spending time with our industry partners and growers, listening, learning and ensuring Pioneer Seeds continues to be a trusted and valuable partner in their businesses,” Ms Underwood said.
Kununurra officer joins CottonInfo
CottonInfo has appointment Nicole Bell as its inaugural regional extension officer for northern Australia, effective March 30.
Nicole Bell.
Based in Kununurra, Ms Bell will support growers and advisors across the WA and NT cotton-growing areas through the delivery of research outcomes and the adoption of best practice.
Originally from Narrabri in NSW, Ms Bell has lived and worked in Kununurra for the past five years, bringing strong northern cotton experience and industry connections to the role.
Her pathway into the cotton industry began at the Australian Cotton Research Institute at Narrabri with CSIRO and the NSW Department of Primary Industries, where she focused on entomology and integrated pest management.
Since 2021, Ms Bell has held technical and field-based roles in Kununurra with the ORDCO and the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, including designing and running mixed cropping trials.
“I have a genuine interest in connecting growers with research and helping turn science into practical outcomes for those on the ground,” Ms Bell said.
“Northern Australia presents unique challenges and opportunities, and this role allows me to help support resilient, productive and sustainable cotton systems.”
McMeekin joins Norco
Peter McMeekin at AGIC 2025. Photo: AGIC
Experienced grain trader Peter McMeekin has joined Norco following the winding up of ETG Commodities’ operations in Australia which he headed.
Mr McMeekin will be working with Norco AgriSolutions Toowoomba-based grain team including trader Neville Brown, administrator Saskia Pabsch and accumulators David Henderson and Tamworth-based Hamish Murray.
“The team at Norco Commodities is excited to harness the wealth of experience and contacts Peter will bring, developed over his long career taking in many regions,” Mr Henderson said.
“He will be trading our major agricultural commodities into both domestic and export markets.”
Mr McMeekin will start in the Norco role on May 5.
Stewart named Cotton Aus regional manager
Cotton Australia has appointed Angela Stewart as regional manager for St George, Dirranbandi and Mungindi.
Angela Stewart.
She commenced on 8 April, working three days per week.
Ms Stewart holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and brings 25 years of experience across the agriculture sector.
Her career has included roles as a broadacre agronomist, agricultural trainer and farm bookkeeper, and most recently, running a small country pub.
Although new to the cotton industry, she is familiar with the Mungindi district, having previously lived and worked in the area.
Angela’s extensive agricultural experience and strong local connections will support Cotton Australia’s engagement with growers in the region.
New GA Pulse Council members
Steve Foran.
Steve Foran from Queensland and Harry Notaras from New South Wales have been appointed to the Grains Australia Pulse Council.
Mr Foran is an experienced sales manager and export trader with focus on trade standards and improvements across pulses.
Mr Notaras is a highly knowledgeable trading and procurement manager, across wheat, barley, sorghum and pulses, both in Australia and internationally.
The role of the Pulse Council is to provide strategic advice to the Grains Australia Board on pulse industry matters including priorities and activities, strategic classification requirements, trade and market access issues relevant to specific pulse classes, and market information and education requirements.
Upper Namoi cotton grower awards
Upper Namoi cotton growers were celebrated during the Cotton Growers Association’s annual awards dinner.
About 130 cotton growers and industry representatives gathered at Gunnedah Jockey Club for the sold-out event, which provides an opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievements of growers and industry supporters over the past year.
Adam Kay presenting the Grower of the Year award to Dalara Pastoral operations manager Bruce Mennie. Photo: Cotton Australia
Dalara Pastoral Operations took home the major award for the evening, being named 2026 Grower of the Year, after also winning the 2026 Dryland Cotton Crop.
The 2026 Irrigation Cotton Crop winner was Josh Carter, Bengalala, Boolah Farms.
Natalie Aquilina was named the 2026 Young Achiever and Mark Goddard was recognised with the 2026 Service to Industry award.
The 2024-25 Ginned Yield Results Winners were:
- Damien Haire Memorial Award Highest Farm Yield – Nat Groves, Myalla, NKG Pastoral Company;
- Highest Dryland Ginned Yield – Jock Brownhill, Merrilong Agricultural Company.
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