L-R: Andrew Nicolson, Abi Spehr, Don Blesing, Kay Matthias, Ian Bailey, Catherine Barnett, John Voumard, Domenica Latorre, Paul Jorgensen and Jamie Smith
DON BLESING (CHAIRPERSON)
Don Blesing is an agribusiness adviser working from Adelaide in South Australia (SA). Don has worked with state and federal governments, regional communities, research agencies, universities, Aboriginal groups 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.
Paul is a partner at Kennedy & Co, Chartered Accountants. Paul has over twenty years experience in Australia and the UK in public practice.Paul works in the areas of Litigation Support and Forensic Accounting, Insolvency, Management Consulting and Income Tax Advice to a broad range of clients including rural clients and mining companies. Paul was appointed as a partner of Kennedy & Co, Chartered Accountants on July 1, 1998. He is registered as a Liquidator, Tax Agent and Auditor and is a member of the AICD. Paul has authored a number of experts reports and has given evidence as an expert witness in the Federal Court of Australia, the Supreme Court of SA. The Supreme Court of NSW, the Family Court of Australia, the Magistrates Court and the District Court of South Australia. Paul undertook the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Studies (Accounting) at Monash University Law School in 2004.
Since leaving school in 1984 Jamie has been involved in the running and management of the family farms at Maitland, Pt Victoria and Warooka in South Australia, now being the owner/manager of the properties totalling 1900 ha. The past 20 years has involved experience in all facets of dry land cropping (cereal and pulse), and meat and wool production. A passion for economics and financial markets led Jamie to undertake a post graduate degree in Applied Finance and Investment; this led to an association with a Treasury and Corporate Consulting firm acting as their Agribusiness Risk Management Consultant. His experience and networks in Agriculture combined with his professional qualifications and contacts in the financial industry place Jamie in a unique position to act as a conduit between the two industries and foster the professional development of Agriculture in this area. Jamie also has had extensive experience in both the state and federal political arena, lobbying ministers and shadow ministers in relation to the Agricultural industry. His involvement in agri-politics has included Liberal Rural & Regional Council and Policy Council, SAFF Community Services Committee, SAFF Grains Council, YP Alkaline Soils Group and YP Rural Counselling Service.
Born and bred in Adelaide, and following a career in the tourism and travel industry. Abi Spehr moved to the Limestone Coast in regional South Australia to be with her husband, Lou, on his family’s fourth-generation propertyAbi embraced the rural lifestyle, and quickly demonstrated her leadership abilities by coordinating community, tourism and relief projects; raising a family; fulfilling Board positions; completing studies in training, facilitation and Rural Business Management; as well as becoming involved with aspects of the family grazing and cropping and aquaculture venture, such as marketing, promotion and product development in the Aquaculture setup and general farm bookkeeping
Although her active role in the farm has diminished with the creation of her new business and the diversification of the family farm business, her involvement in the Family Farm business triggered Abi’s interest in the farming industry, natural resources, plant and animal production practices and in particular, the economic, social and political behaviours that underpin sustainable agriculture.
Domenica is Director of Miridella Pty. Ltd. The consulting business specializes in financial and project management, motivating and leading teams, business administration, OH&S, PR and marketing.
Domenica is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has been an active Committee member and chair (since 2002) of the Riverland and Central Riverland Financial Counselling Service. She is the National Secretary on the National Board of Rural Counselling Services Inc.
Andrew Nicolson is the principal of a family pastoral property in the rangelands of South Australia. The property is 1000 sq km and runs on average 13,000 sheep.
Andrew's areas of interest are in research and development for the sheep and wool industry and the University of Adelaide has a research facility on the property where sustainable grazing and rangeland ecology are studied.
Andrew was Chair of the Pastoral Zone Advisory Committee for the Woolmark company (now AWI). Other interests are strategic planning, landcare and farm management.
Ian is the owner operator of a large springwater business supplying all states of Australia. He has been a local government councillor for 13 years and serves on many government and voluntary organisations and is heavily involved in the CFS. Ian has previously been a primary producer, plumber/gasfitter, refinery operator and worked in Arnhem Land for 6 years. Ian believes in the social and economic future of the rural sector and likes to do his "bit" to achieve this ideal.
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, Chair of the South Australian Rock Lobster Advisory Council and a board member of Greyhound Racing South Australia.
John Chaired the South Australian Association of Rural Counselling Services Inc. and the Flinders and Pastoral Rural Counselling and Information Service Inc. He is a barrister and solicitor and Principal of Voumard Lawyers, a regional legal practice operating in Jamestown, Port Pirie, Clare and Peterborough, South Australia.
John principally paractices in Farm Succession and Estate planning. John is the Event Director of the Bundaleer Forest Weekend, regional South Australia's largest outdoor fine music event.
RFCS Programme grants provide funding to state, regional and community level organisations to deliver rural financial counselling services throughout Australia to primary producers, fishers and small rural businesses suffering financial hardship. The service providers help clients manage the challenges of industry change and adjustment and becoming self-reliant. Organisations were eligible to apply if they had strong ties to the rural community sound corporate credentials, and the ability to provide rural financial counselling services. This funding is provided by the Australian and state governments to state, regional and community level organisations.
