Murray candidate information

Three (3) candidates are to be elected for the Murray local board.

Please note, candidate information is unedited and has been published as they were received.

McCrohon, Melinda - Holbrook

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

My name is Melinda McCrohon and I am self-employed and run a 300 Angus cow operation in the Murray region. I am responsible for all aspects of our business including day-to-day operations management, strategic business plans, financial planning and budgeting. I am passionate about leadership, cattle genetics, improved pastures and creating a sustainable beef enterprise. During 2022 I completed a Prograze grazing course facilitated by Phill Graham. I understand the importance of soil health and pasture management, as well as key efficiencies which contribute to profitable beef production. Last year I was elected to the Holbrook Landcare board and enjoy the contribution to the local Holbrook network I can make. I have extensive Leadership experience and was elected President of Leeton Preschool for 5 years before moving to the Murray region. The not-for-profit provided over 250 preschool places and employed 15 staff. 6 board members supported the president on the board.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

I hold a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Contemporary Literacies and have worked as a specialist Literacy teacher and later as lecturer at CSU. I am also a graduate of the Australia Rural Leadership Foundation's, flagship program the ARLP - Cohort 28. I was awarded the Telstra open scholarship to participate in the ARLP and graduated in 2022. This experiential Leadership program has provided foundational learning and values the importance of deep listening and diversity. I completed formal governance training in 2017 and she has recently enrolled in a refresher course run by AICD.

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Community participation, regional service delivery and working with industry, government and other partners
• Primary industries or providing services to support this sector
• Working with Aboriginal groups and communities

Additional information

As a board member, I am open and curious. This enables me to listen deeply and hear all sides of an issue without judgment. I have the ability to get a helicopter view of the issues and not get bogged down in the details which enables me to clear and informed decisions. I value the services provided by the LLS and feel I could bring my leadership experience and add value to the Murray LLS board. I love living in the Murray region on Wiradjuri country. It is the place I have chosen to raise my family and start our business, therefore I am invested in our community's success.

Barlow, Amanda -  Mathoura

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

I have high level involvement in community affairs. I am currently Chair of the Deniliquin branch of the NSW Famers Association, a member of the NSW Farmers' Executive Council which sets policy and advocates for the organisation and a Federal Director of Shorthorn Beef. I have also served one term as a Murray LLS Board member. I am passionate about the future of agriculture and consequently provide pre clinical placement opportunities on our property to Veterinary Science students at the University of Melbourne and Charles Sturt University, Wagga. I am also a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation as a mentor. As a partner in a farming operation, I have deep knowledge of the challenges and opportunities affecting agriculture. This knowledge is supplemented through my involvement in Shorthorn Beef, NSW Farmers and Murray LLS.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

I hold Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Melbourne and a Diploma of Education from Melbourne State College.

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Community participation, regional service delivery and working with industry, government and other partners
• Primary industries or providing services to support this sector
• Contemporary biosecurity programs in animal and/or plant health, pest and weed management
• Emergency management, especially biosecurity and natural disaster emergencies
• Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
• Working with Aboriginal groups and communities

Additional information

I live at Mathoura and operate a mixed farming business near Deniliquin. We have a self replacing Shorthorn herd and were previous finalists in the Weekly Times Farmer of the Year. As a Murray LLS Board member, I have been involved in helping set the strategic direction of Murray LLS with particular interest in agricultural production and biosecurity. I have also been part of the financial management and helped set the strategic direction of Shorthorn Beef as a Board Director. I have helped write the terms of reference for the Murray LLS Community Advisory groups. I am in a position to support primary industries, gaining high level knowledge from my involvement on the NSW Farmers' Executive Council as well as knowledge of the beef industry through Shorthorn Beef. I have been an engaged, informed and competent Board Director of Murray LLS.

Hawkins, John - Lankeys Creek

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

I grew up on the 1500ac family farm at Glenroy, near Tumbarumba. We had Poll Hereford cattle and black face Suffolk sheep. I was involved in all aspects of the farm as well as contract hay making and selling firewood. I now live on 260ac at Lankeys Creek with my wife Alison, where we raised three children. The property has been a Wildlife refuge since the 1960's, we have endeavoured to maintain the biodiversity on the property with fencing and feral animal control. We also grow feed oats, perennial pastures and cut our own hay, we run poll hereford cattle and Suffolk sheep. I have worked for the Education Department as a general assistant at Rosewood, Humula, and Tumbarumba public schools for more than twenty years. I was a deputy fire Brigade Captain, then a Captain at Glenroy-Wolseley Park for four years prior to moving to Lankeys Creek. I have been a Group Captain for Holbrook-Southern Border RFS for 24 years. We regularly participate in community events at the Lankeys Creek Hall.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

Chemical users certificate, Working with children, 1st Aid, heavy vehicle licence,

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Community participation, regional service delivery and working with industry, government and other partners
• Audit, financial control and reporting, and risk management
• Primary industries or providing services to support this sector
• Contemporary biosecurity programs in animal and/or plant health, pest and weed management
• Emergency management, especially biosecurity and natural disaster emergencies
• Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
• Working with Aboriginal groups and communities
• Local government

Additional information

Previously a local representative on the Tumbarumba Land District board, Tumbarumba council Sport and Recreation committee and on Committee of the Glenroy Recreation ground. Volunteered at the Tumbarumba rodeo.

Lowe, Geoffrey - North Albury

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

I am an experienced board member having served in voluntary or paid positions for RDA Murray, MTA-NSW (Motor Traders Association), MTC (Motor Trades Care), Gateway Health & Spirit Super. All of these rolls connect with or are located in the Murray region. I enjoy serving the communities I am connected to with a desire to see them grow & flourish. I am managing director of Proven Products which manufactures motorcycle suspension. My wife & I also have a small land holding where from time to time we have run cattle & sheep.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

I hold an MBA, Grad Cert in Accounting & a Diploma of Superannuation. I also have a trade qualification as a mechanic. I am a member of the IAME, Rotary & the business I run is a member of MTA-NSW

The candidate has experience in:

• Leadership, strategic planning and management
• Community participation, regional service delivery and working with industry, government and other partners
• Audit, financial control and reporting, and risk management
• Primary industries or providing services to support this sector

Additional information

Sustainable growth & development of regional Australia is vital for local, regional, State & National prosperity. We need healthy, towns, cities & regions with a strengthening mix of agriculture & industries that serve & are served by well connected & resourced communities that provide the services Australians need wherever they are located. I am eager to help drive that forward in the Murray Region.

Hermiston, Andrew - Deniliquin

Candidate employment or volunteer experience

Work and manage, farm that has been in the family for over 100 years worked in family Partnership, 13 years. Self Employed Farmer, 36 years. Producing wool, lamb, wheat, oats, barley, canola, seed Lucerne, coriander, rice, finishing lambs in containment areas. Volunteer Deniliquin show 48 years. I have been captain of local Hockey teams, coached ladies Hockey teams, Secretary Treasurer  local fire brigade, B&S Balls and Chair. Chair of local land holder group - Murray Irrigation. On lawn tennis committee. Have LLS Tree seed orchard. Employ young and old people. Have been Self employed, except for time in Queensland / overseas jackerooing.

Candidate qualifications or professional memberships

Murrumbidge College certificate in ag 1975; Farm Experience Northern NSW/ Southern Queensland 12 Months; Overseas 1978 Canada/ Germany with International Agriculture Exchange Association. With brother Jim and Parents developed Irrigation farms. Did, Rice for profit, and Graze for Profit, with RCS. Life Time Ewe management course with Elders. VicNoTill Member.

The candidate has experience in:

• Community participation, regional service delivery and working with industry, government and other partners
• Primary industries or providing services to support this sector
• Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation

Additional information

Awarded, winner of the Murray Irrigation Ltd, Primary Producer Award for the 2011Murray Catchment Management Authority Millewa Awards for Natural Resource Management. Farm motto "To have a tree line on the south and west side of every paddock and earth worms doing handstands". I have not done anything like this before, but feel I may have something to offer the community.