Chairperson

Mr Antony Ford

Tony has over 40 years’ experience in Australian and international agribusiness, of which 30 years has been at senior executive level and on the boards as director and chair of food manufacturing, aquaculture, horticultural and other institutions. Recently, he has been chair of one of Australia’s largest aquacultural companies, a Director of NRM Regions Australia and long-term president of Hockey Association in Victoria and associate business consultant at one of Australia’s larger restructuring firms.
He has been involved as an executive, consultant and director in industry policy development and strategic planning across the different industries, states and western pacific countries he has operated within.

Board Members

Dr Michelle Casanova

Michelle has a PhD in Botany and is Principal at Charophyte Services, a consultancy aimed at providing best practice, scientific research, information and assessment concerning water plants and wetlands. Michelle lives and works on a fine-wool merino and cropping farm near Lake Bolac.

Ms Christine Giles

Chris Giles is the recently retired Chief Executive Officer at Portland District Health and has considerable experience as a leader and manager of regional, rural and remote public health services. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Management along with nursing and midwifery qualifications. Chris has a background in agriculture having and currently has an interest in a property running a small angus stud. Chris has past experience in sheep (fine wool merino), dairy and poultry farming. She has been a Board Director for a Health ICT alliance and has held the elected role as a Shire Councilor in Carnarvon WA. Chris has also been actively involved in Land and Sea Management initiatives working with local traditional owner in the Torres Strait.

Professor Gerry Quinn

Professor Gerry Quinn holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Zoology, a PhD in Marine Biology, and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course. Before his retirement from Deakin University, he was Chair in Marine Biology. He has also been part of several statutory bodies, advisory committees, and government public entities and is currently on the Victorian Marine and Coastal Council. Gerry’s research background focused on the ecology of marine, freshwater and estuarine habitats and the effect of human activities on the environmental condition of these ecosystems.

Ms Karrinjeet Singh-Mahil

Karrinjeet is a dairy farmer and teacher who has a Master of Education degree and a Certificate IV in Governance. She has previously worked in diverse fields such as banking and finance, venue management and sports development across four countries. Karrinjeet has communication and collaboration skills and is a creative thinker.

Ms Celia Tucker

Celia holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Parks, Recreation and Heritage) and lives and works on a sheep farm with her husband at Willaura North. She is interested in both the environmental and agricultural sectors and has previously worked at both local and state government level in these fields. The livestock and broadacre farming enterprise Celia and her husband operate places a strong focus on protecting and enhancing the natural capital and biodiversity on their property to ensure profitability for future generations. She serves on several committees and is an active ‘Landcarer’ supporting other primary producers in her community who wish to undertake Landcare work.

Catherine Redwood 

Kate Redwood AM is an experienced director having been a board member of Melbourne Health, State Trustees Limited and MacKillop Family Services among a number of other boards over the last 25 years. Kate is currently the Deputy Chair of the  Central Highlands Rural Health Board and a member of the Daylesford and District Community Bank board. Kate has served four terms as an elected councillor and has been mayor and deputy mayor.  Kate lives within the CMA area on a farm  which  places importance on preserving habitat – particularly western plains grassland and wildflowers , and its associated endangered species such as golden sun moths and legless lizards. Recently platypus were found to have returned to Bailey’s Creek which runs through the farm. Kate has been a hands on volunteer for reveg projects with volunteer organizations for many years and undertakes an annual program of seed collection and propagation for tubestock for planting on the farm.  Kate is a member of the Archaeology Association of Australia reconciliation action plan committee.

Rowan Mackenzie

Rowan has held strategic management and consulting roles focused on environment, sustainability, waste, public health and emergency management challenges.  Having recently left a senior local government role, he seeks to contribute to a better future through consulting work, running a small family farm and other nature connection enterprises. Rowan holds qualifications in civil engineering and natural resource management.