Our Board

Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is governed by a board of local people.

Board members work closely with landholders and local communities to identify and deliver services that are relevant to local needs.

Local boards are comprised of a mix of Ministerially-appointed and elected board members who bring a wealth of skills, experience and commitment to the organisation.

The Chair and three board members are appointed by the Minister for Agriculture and Western New South Wales while the remaining three board members are elected by Local Land Services ratepayers.

Together they focus on the strategic direction of the organisation, promoting the services offered, encouraging partnerships and building strong relationships with investors while also communicating the priorities and concerns of customers to local boards.

Section 29 of the Local Land Services Act 2013 sets out the functions of local boards. They are legally binding and should be interpreted as the definitive reference regarding the role of local boards.

CHAIR

Grahame Marriott, Chair, Inverell

Grahame runs a small cattle trading and seasonally dependent haymaking enterprise near Inverell. His background is in corporate and community organisational governance. This is Grahame’s third term on the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Board and first as Chair.

APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS

Tracey Gowen, Arding

Tracey is a cattle producer and runs an Angus breeding operation across two properties near Uralla and Walcha. Tracey has broad experience on advisory councils and committees. This is Tracey’s first term on the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Board.

Rechelle Leahy, Kelly Plains

Armidale based Rechelle is a principal sector specialist in governance, contract management, procurement and social policy issues. Her passion lies with gender equality, equity, disability services, domestic violence, rural and regional workforce planning and employment and improving policy through advocacy, specifically related to the specialised issues of rural, regional and remote women and girls in Australia. Rechelle was appointed to the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Board in 2019.

Julie Bird, Bukkulla

Julie’s passion for the agriculture industry has provided her with a wealth of experience and knowledge, from working in the heart of government, to jointly managing a wool and beef cattle enterprise. Julie has performed roles including Director of Agriculture, Department of Climate Change, Senior Research Manager, Rural Industries R & D Corporation and External Research Manager in Bioenergy for AgriFutures Australia. She also runs her own consultancy in rural innovation and co-owns a wool and beef cattle enterprise. Julie was appointed to the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Board in 2019.

ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS

Jane Mactier, Tenterden

Jane owns and manages Tenterden Station with her family, a beef and sheep property between Guyra and Inverell. In addition, Jane has a background as a livestock veterinarian and environmental scientist. She is particularly interested in agricultural production and biosecurity parts of the Local Land Services business. Jane is an active member of the Guyra community with involvement in various community groups and initiatives. This is Jane’s first term on Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Board.

Scott Kermode, Walcha

Scott lives in Walcha and works as a self-employed rural contractor. He has a background in agriculture and previously owned and managed a grazing and cropping farm for over 30 years. Scott has extensive experience in leadership roles for a range of organisations in his community including the Walcha Council. This is Scott’s first term on Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Board.

William (Bill) O’Halloran, Invergowrie

William is from Invergowrie and has previous board experience on Local Land Services’ predecessor organisations. He is a former District Sheep and Wool Officer and was the NSW Department of Primary Industry’s state Sheepmeats Industry Leader and state project leader for NLIS (Sheep & Goats). William is an engaged member of the NSW Farmers Association with a passion for animal health, agricultural production and biosecurity. This is William’s first term on Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Board.