Western candidate information
Four (4) candidates are to be elected for the Western local board.
Please note, candidate information is unedited and has been published as they were received.
O'Connor, Anita - Milparinka
Candidate employment or volunteer experience
I was born and raised in Broken Hill and entered nursing training at the Broken Hill Hospital in 1978, when it still trained. I have been living and working at Mt Poole Stn, near Milparinka since August 1980. We raise sheep and cattle. I have always been a volunteer with the local Milparinka Sports Club, and am currently President. I have a long term membership, since 1982 with Tibooburra- Milparinka branch of ICPA. President for 16 years and on the NSW State Council in 2002 to 2004. I worked as CEO at the Tibooburra Local Aboriginal Land Council for 10 years over 2006 to 2016. I am currently a volunteer NSW Ambulance Officer working from the Tibooburra NSW Health Clinic. I have had the privilege of being an elected member of the Board of the Western Local Land Services since 2020.
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
Byrnes, Nicole - Wentworth
Candidate employment or volunteer experience
Currently employed at Hort Innovation as the Industry Service and Delivery Manager, a front facing role for horticulture in the region maintaining effective stakeholder relationships and responsible for the execution of the industry strategic investment plans to deliver impactful R,D&E programs. Previously employed at SuniTAFE as the Agtech Innovation Project Manager supporting innovation creation, implementation and adoption of technology on horticultural properties. Prior, worked as the Executive Officer at Society of Precision Agriculture Australia, a not for profit promoting the adoption of precision ag tools on farm working with the board to deliver programs against its strategic plan. Board experience; Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc (NSW director) including former Chair providing strategic advice for grain and livestock producers in the tri-state Mallee. Former Western LLS board member. Volunteer involvement; Pooncarie Clinical First Responder (community paramedic supported by NSW Ambulance), NSW Fire Service -Garnpang division, Pooncarie Field Day Group, Alcheringa Junior Basketball Club (coach). School Council representative.
Candidate qualifications or professional memberships
Qualifications; Bachelor Agricultural Science (Honours) from the University of Melbourne majoring in plant production and business management, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Plant Physiology Courses; Graduate of Australian Company Directors course, Alumni of the NFF Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program, Graduate of Northern Mallee Leaders, Australian Institute of Management New Manager, Mental Health First Aider, ARLP Change Maker participant Member of the following; Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Women in Agriculture
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
- Emergency management, especially biosecurity and natural disaster emergencies
Additional information
My husband & I and two sons (aged 12 & 9) live on a wheat & sheep property in the Pooncarie district. We apply conservative practices to capatilise on our land resource to ensure we leave the landscape in an improved condition. Some practices we apply include crop rotations, nitrogen fixing crops & stubble retention. Our farm boundaries the lower Darling River & we have experienced the highs & lows of drought and floods in the region in recent years. I believe I would be a valuable candidate to the LLS board due to my expertise, capabilities & passion for the area. I am familiar with board functions and prepared to commit the time and energy required to be an effective board member. I am also a strong believer that boards should have diversity & representation from across the whole region & with experience and exposure of all agriculture industries that makes Western the amazing environment it is. My personal, volunteer & working career exposes me the the variety & look to value add, build connections and learnings from each other. I would love the opportunity to apply my recent leadership and directorship training for the betterment of our region to support you & our region
Murray, Jessica - Louth
Candidate employment or volunteer experience
Employment in Education, began as a Year 1 teacher in Wilcannia and have worked the majority of my career in Western NSW; Bourke, Louth, Walgett, Wilcannia. Educational Leadership proven ability in strategic planning and decision making, and community engagement. Employment in Pastoralism: married and working alongside husband in his family business partnership, a merino sheep station and rangeland goat enterprise. Living, working and raising my family in the western region. Passionate about the longevity and success of its people, places and industries. Volunteer: local and western region roles in regional community, education, agriculture and the arts. Developed financial understanding and governance in local community committees as Treasurer (current Treasurer of Louth Branch ICPA). Have a broad and deepening understanding of the Western Region through positions on Western Landcare New South Wales and Southern Australian Livestock Research Council (SALRC) Producer Member of Central and Western NSW and Southern QLD Committee. Commitment to promoting wellbeing and culture through Outback Arts board role as Bourke Representative and in volunteering for Louth RFDS clinic days.
Candidate qualifications or professional memberships
Qualifications and training Masters in Special Education Australian Institute of Company Directors, Foundations of Directorship – FAICD Australian Rural Leadership Foundation - Drought Resilience Leadership Program and, National Me toeing Prigram 2022-2023. Climate Smart Farming Scholar 2022 Future Woman NSW Rural Scholar Southern Queensland University Regenerative Agriculture Mentoring Program Melbourne University, Carbon Neutral Agriculture Australia National University, Climate Essentials for Farmers Sheep Producers Australia Leadership Program Professional Memberships Australian Institute of Company Directors South Australian Livestock Research Council Regional Committee for Central and Western NSW and Southern Queensland Sheep Ordinary Individual Member of Western Landcare NSW Women in Agriculture Member
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
An educator and grazier, with a career predominantly in Western NSW. I am passionate about supporting people in rural and remote communities across the lifespan. I am keen to transfer the skills developed in educational leadership and executive committee roles to rural industries in order to support the region on a bigger scale. From a career in education in remote schools along the Darling River, to marrying into the 6th generation of pastoralists calling the Paaka home. The Western region of NSW is important to every aspect of my personal and professional life. I have proven leadership in Education and within local community, and am looking to contribute to and support my region and the people within it in a more impactful way within the Western Local Lands Service Board. I have a unique skillset and ability to look beyond my immediate needs, which enables me to understand and prioritise the bigger picture of the Western Region beyond my backyard. The diversity, history, depth and expanse of the region defines and strengthens it. I believe it will continue to prosper and lead land management practices with understanding, awareness and advocacy to decision makers.
Hannigan, Garry - Broken Hill
Candidate employment or volunteer experience
Self employed landholder producing organic lamb and goats Member of Little Topar Rural Fire Service Member of Little Topar Landcare Group.
Candidate qualifications or professional memberships
Previous term as a western LLS Board member. Current Pastoralist Association of West Darling Committee Member. Current Western Lands Advisory Commitee Member representative for PAWD. Actively involved in the organic livestock production and marketing industry.
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
- Natural resource management and biodiversity conservation
Additional information
Active member of the local community in all forms of agriculture livestock production, grazing management and conservation.
Davis, Michael - Brewarrina
Candidate employment or volunteer experience
I am a partner in a grazing enterprise on the Culgoa river in the North Eastern section of the Western LLS Qualified as a professional wool classer and a Merino tragic. I have worked in a family farming situation since July 1974. I am currently a member of the Western LLS board. Member of NSW Farmers I have been a member of local NPWS Advisory Committee since the acquisition of the Culgoa National Park. The new committee is the Northern Inland NPWS Advisory Committee. Secretary Treasurer of Culgoa Vertebrate Pest Animal Management Group.
The candidate has experience in:
- Leadership, strategic planning and 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
Additional information
I have lived and worked in the Western LLS for fifty years, I think that I can offer advice to the incoming board.