Don Blesing is an agribusiness adviser working from Adelaide in South Australia. Don has worked with state and federal governments, regional communities, research agencies, universities, Aboriginal group and commercial farms. Don has particular experience in chairing boards, strategic planning, business planning and negotiation strategy.
Areas of expertise include agriculture and agribusiness, science policy, environmental strategy, the rangelands and native title agreements. Until recently Don was the business manager of a grain, wool and merino stud farm in the Mid North of SA. Don was the inaugural Chair of RFCSSA, taking up the position in July 2006.
A cereal and pig producer from South Australia, Sharon Starick has combined her primary production interests with conservation and natural resource management. Her background includes time as a landcare officer with the South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Resources SA, and as Executive Officer to three Soil Conservation Boards and the Soil Boards CARE Committee.
She has also had advisory roles relating to rural adjustment and has participated in her local catchment management group. Service has been given on the Mallee Sustainable Farming Board, the Pork Industry Development Board, Natural Resource Management Council and the Community Advisory Committee for the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council. She is a graduate of the Murray Darling Basin Leadership program and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Paul was born at Booleroo Centre, grew up in Maitland and has recently retired to Victor Harbor. Paul has had a distinguished career in both the Australian Army and in Australian Public Health Administration. Paul has a Bachelor of Commerce degree, a Master of Science, post-graduate management qualifications and is a Certified Practicing Accountant. Paul was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in the Queen's birthday honours (1993) for conspicuous service in the field of organisational development and implementation.
Peter is a horticulturist based in the Riverland and has long term experience as a Chairman and a Director on a number of agricultural, seafood, government and public companies, including the Citrus Industry Development Board and the Horticultural Research and Development Corporation.
In partnership with his wife, he produces citrus and in addition, operates a management company for owner investors producing citrus.
Peter is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds an Advanced Diploma in Rural Business Management and an Advanced Diploma in Horticulture.
Assisting farmers, fishers and small rural businesses to be sustainable and profitable is of major interest to Peter.
Damian grew up in rural SA and farmed for six years near Cummins on Eyre Peninsula. He then completed a law degree and now has 12 years post-admission experience both in private practice and then as in-house lawyer for United Grower Holdings Ltd, Ausbulk Ltd, ABB Grain Ltd and now Viterra. He has acted for clients ranging from large multi-national brewing companies to associations and not for profit organizations and has been the Honorary Solicitor for the Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club and Trees for Life.
Damian’s immediate family still farm at Cummins and he has also acquired two farming properties over the past 15 years. This provides him with insight into the various issues facing rural communities.
He has completed a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. He is admitted as a practitioner in both the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of South Australia and is a member of both the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association and Chartered Secretaries Australia.
Malcolm is a career banker with 36 years with National Australia Bank.In recent years Malcolm has held the position of head of Nab Agribusiness in SA and State Manager of the Agribusiness Division.
Malcolm was brought up on a family farm on Yorke Peninsula and continues to assist in running the family farm in the South East.
Malcolm has lived and worked in a number of rural and regional areas, including Mount Gambier, Jamestown and Alice Springs.He has strong skills in strategic planning and business development with sound knowledge of rural SA, agribusiness and financial management.
Malcolm is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, of the Agribusiness Association and the SA Rural Media Association.He is also a Justice of the Peace SA.
When possible, Malcolm volunteers his time in assisting charities such as the children’s charity, Variety and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Catherine established Barnett Communications & Marketing, an Adelaide based marketing consultancy, in 1997. Since that time Catherine has worked in many areas of marketing for clients across government and in the private sector. Catherine has a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing and was Dux of the Australian Direct Marketing Association Certificate in Direct Marketing in 1998. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Diploma. Catherine holds a number of board positions. She is Chair of the Seafood Training Centre of Excellence and Chair of the South Australian Rock Lobster Advisory Council. She has previously been Chair for the South Australian Prawn Fisheries Management Committee, Chair for the Northern Zone Rock Lobster Fisheries Management Committee, Chair of the Horticulture Industry Development Board and the Marketing Director for Greyhound Racing SA.
Kay Matthias is a trained journalist, has been employed for most of her working life in the public sector working mainly in marketing/public relations. Her most recent position was General Manager, Communications and Marketing with Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA). In August 2004 Kay left the public service and was appointed the Rural Financial Counsellor for the Mid North region until she commenced as General Manager, RFCSSA Inc in September 2006. Kay has had considerable experience as a senior manager in the public sector and her skills were easily transferable to her position with RFCSSA. She has worked in a number of overseas countries including, USA, United Kingdom, and Ghana in West Africa. Kay lives with her husband Rob at Watervale in the beautiful Clare Valley, where she spends most of the weekend working with her cashmere goats.
