Riverina candidate information
Three (3) candidates are to be elected for the Riverina local board.
Please note, candidate information is unedited and has been published as they were received.
Hamilton, Alison - Gregadoo
Candidate employment or volunteer experience
I run a consulting / coaching business in the agriculture space, I have been in business for over 15 years. My previous career placements have included time with Meat and Livestock Australia, NSW Department of Primary Industries and TAFE NSW as a teacher in agriculture. I work with producers and land owners on a daily basis and have a sound understanding of all aspects of the rural space. I am a beef cattle farmer myself and have been involved in farming all of my life. I am a passionate rural advocate, I have held several official and volunteer roles that support community and agricultural growth - I was an active Councillor of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW for 12 years, I have served on Cattle Council of Australia sub-committees and have volunteered at a local level in several community organisations. I believe that I have both the leadership skills and industry experience and passion that are relevant to the role of a local LLS board member.
Candidate qualifications or professional memberships
I have completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course - which gives me the governance and leadership skills to fulfil this role. I am a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, National Framers Federation Diversity in Ag leadership program. I am a member of NSW Farmers.
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
- Local government
Findlay, Timothy - Young
Candidate employment or volunteer experience
I have been living in Young, NSW for nearly 11 years. I was the senior agribusiness relationship manager for Westpac for nine of those years, and have been running Cato Advisory, a specialist agrifinance and advisory firm, for the past two years. Prior to that I worked in corporate finance and investment banking both in Australia and in the UK/Europe. I have a long history in regional volunteer experience. I have been a Director of the Western Region Academy of Sport for five years, holding the Treasurer's postion for all this time. I am also currently an Associate Director of the South West Slopes Credit Union, and a former director of the Young Regional Conservatorium and Annette's Place Childcare Centre. I have and continue to hold volunteer positions on local junior sporting committees, including junior cricket (media officer 2023/24, treasurer 2024/25), and Young Rugby Union Club (media officer 2014).
Candidate qualifications or professional memberships
I have an bachelor degree in business from Charles Sturt University, and a masters degree in applied finance from Macquarie University. I am a Certificate Practicing Accountant CPA and a member of CPA Australia (Member # 10709760), through which I also hold a public practice certificate. I am also a member of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) and the Carbon Market Institute (CMI). I have completed the 'Governance Foundations for NFP Directors' short-course through the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
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
I am dedicated to building prosperous rural business communities in regional Australia and I believe strongly that robust governance, financial literacy and commercial acumen will play a significant role in delivering on Riverina LLS's local strategic plan. Coming from an industry that provides professional services to agriculture allows me to contribute a different perspective through collaboration.
Matthews, Robert - Hay
Candidate employment or volunteer experience
I am the owner of the property Bedarbidgal, and conduct the business Bedarbidgal Pastoral Company in partnership with my wife, Liz. We graze merino sheep and beef cattle on 7000ha SE of Hay. We have been custodians of this land for 40 years. I am the current chair of Hay Trees on Plain Landcare Group, Captain of MIA RFS Area E Brigade and serve on several industry committees, Hay Merino Sheep Show and Hay Merino Breeders. I am also a graduate of the ARLF Course 23 and together with my wife raised a family of 4 children.
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
- Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
- Working with Aboriginal groups and communities
McCormack, Robert - Junee
Candidate employment or volunteer experience
I have been a farmer and contractor for over fifty six years and still operate our own water supply and consultation business.I have worked in Canada and Europe .Chairman of the Australian Fodder Industry, financial director of The Wagga Wagga Rural Lands Board and a member of Grain Growers National Policy Group and in 2016 was part of an innovation study tour to the U.S.A. On behalf of the Australian Government I led a delegation to China to examine trade and bio security in the hay industry.
Candidate qualifications or professional memberships
Higher School Certificate .Grade 3 Pressure Vessel welding.Chem-Cert.
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
- Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
Additional information
I have a very good understanding of the agricultural industry .As a farmer and businessman I believe I have the skills and experience to be a director on the Riverina LLS.
Stott, Elizabeth - Gogeldrie
Candidate employment or volunteer experience
I am an irrigation farmer in Gogeldrie, near Leeton, growing cotton and winter cereals. I have over 10 years experience in agriculture, water policy and communications with roles with Murrumbidgee Irrigation, Ricegrowers' Association and the Murray Darling Basin Authority. I have also previously served on the inaugural Local Land Services Irrigation Advisory Group. I am currently on the Board of Cotton Australia, the peak body for Australia's cotton growers, and hold the position of Deputy Chair. I am also Chair of the Mid-Basin Regional Advisory Committee for One Basin CRC, of which Local Land Services is a tier 3 partner.
Candidate qualifications or professional memberships
I have a Bachelor of Science (Biology) from the ANU and Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Wildlife Health and Population Management) from University of Sydney. I also completed the Australian Rural Leadership Program course 20 and received a Graduate Certificate in Australian Rural Leadership from James Cook University.
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
Additional information
I am a strategic thinker with strong communication and negotiation skills, along with excellent research and analytical abilities. During my time in the region, I have built strong community and industry relationships throughout the Griffith and Leeton region and look forward to the opportunity to offer my skills and experience to the Riverina LLS Board.
Shepherd, Anthony - Cootamundra
Candidate employment or volunteer experience
Local rugby union committee member, coaching junior rugby, referee junior rugby. Own and manage a farm. Run an external Ag consultancy business which gets me into many farms in making decisions in their farm.
Candidate qualifications or professional memberships
Post Grad Certificate in Animal Science, Wool classes certification, Full member of Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology
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