Annette (Netty) Smith, Emerald

Chair (Non-voting) - Appointed May 2008

Since completing her Bachelor of Business (Property Studies) at UQGC, Netty has had extensive experience as a Valuer, both with the Department of Natural Resources and private enterprises. Currently employed as Senior Valuer by Tyler Byrne Valuers, Emerald, Netty's specialised areas include residential, commercial and industrial valuations, large horticultural, grazing, cropping and cotton enterprises and water trading. Netty is an active member of the community and brings a depth of experience and local knowledge to the position of Chair.

Craig Barsby

Food & Fibre Director (Voting) - Appointed November 2008

Actively involved in the industry for over 20 years, Craig is currently engaged in sustainable farming on an irrigation property near Comet.  Craig participates in the Best Management Practices cotton program, and has recently completed a Land and Water Management plan for the property.  Craig is also a Director of the CHCG&IA (Central Highlands Cotton Growers & Irrigators Association).

Frank Conway

Grains Director (Voting) - Appointed May 2011

Frank has more than 40 years experience in the agricultural industry as a farmer/grazier with some farm contracting. He is the owner manager of a mixed farming property, growing wheat and breeding cattle and has lived in the Central Highlands for the past eight years. He has previously served on AgForce.

Kim Hurle

Human Services Director (Voting) - Appointed May 2011

Kim is a family counsellor for Lifeline, having previously been employed by Centacare for the past seven-and-a-half years. She holds a Certificate 4 Training, Microsoft Office Specialist, Certificate II Certificate III of IT, Certificate 4 Child Protection and Family Intervention and is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts (Welfare). She has served on many community groups, including Emerald North State School P&C, Relay for Life team captain, Central Highlands Domestic Violence Network, Working Group - White Ribbon Day Consult Group - Multicultural Issues Community Centres and Family Support Network.

David Comiskey

Integrated Catchment Management Director (Voting)- Appointed 2010

David is a self employed grazier who has been in the industry for 30 years in the Alpha area. He is a former councillor in the Jericho Shire Council and a member of the Belyando-Suttor Implementation Group which is the reference group for the introduction of the NQ Dry Tropics natural resource management plan in the region.

Simon Cupper

Mining Director (Voting) - Appointed 2010

Simon is the Manager of Processing for Rio Tinto at Kestral Mine and has over 20 years in the mining industry. He is currently responsible for rehabilitation and management of the Kestrel Mine co-disposal facility and the management of the 'Gordon Downs' property.  Simon is also a member of the Kestrel Coal Aboriginal Development Fund Committee and the Kestrel Coal Community Development Fund Committee.

Proxy: Maureen Tutton (Rio Tinto)

Dr Jim Sands, Emerald

Higher Education Director (Voting) - Appointed 2006

Originally from an irrigation block outside Emerald, Jim has renewed ties with the area, following his appointment to AACC. The Emerald campus provides rural training in irrigated cropping and beef cattle production on the campus farm and two other beef properties. Jim previously held a position at UQ Gatton Campus as lecturer in Soil & Water Management, and also played an active role in the Lockyer Catchment Co-ordinating Committee. Jim holds a PhD in Surface Irrigation Management (QLD) and a B App Sci (Hons) in Rural Technology (QAC).

Proxies: Associate Professor John Rolfe, Central Queensland University
Gai Sypher, Operations and Project Manager, Central Queensland University, Emerald

Kerry Hayes

Local Government Director (Voting) - Appointed June 2008

Kerry has been involved with Local Government for several years, and is currently a Councillor on the recently formed Central Highlands Regional Council. As a livestock and property agent, Kerry has gained valuable knowledge about land uses and natural resources in the area. Kerry is also a Director for the Emerald Land and Cattle Company.

Proxy: David Brimblecombe (CHRC Councillor)

Juliana McCosker

Environmental Director

 Juliana is based in Emerald and is the principle Biodiversity Planning Officer for the Department of Environment and Resource Management. Her area of responsibilty is the Central West region.

Proxy: Karen Quinlivan - Natural Resource Managment Officer.

John Brown, 'Valencia', Capella

Pastoral Director (Voting) - Appointed 2010

John has been working as a grazier for the past 50 years in the Capella region and was the Chairman of the Peak Downs Shire Council. He has also previously been a board member for the FBA and the Parthenium Weed Management Group at a state and national level as well as the Chairman of the Central Highlands Natural Resource Management Group.

Proxy: Russell Purvis (Grazier)

John Baccon, 'Wena Park,' Clermont

Landcare Director (Voting) - Appointed November 2008

John completed his Junior Certificate at Gatton College in 1962, and has continued to work in the rural industry ever since. John is an active member of the Wolfang Landcare group, and AgForce, and has previously been a member of the Northern Highlands Regional Vegetation Management Committee (AgForce).

Proxy: Lynette Keene, Grazier and Landcare member

Sandra Hobbs

Economic Development Representiative- Appointed 2010

As General Manager of the Central Highlands Development Corperation (CHDC), Sandra is actively involved with the economic development and sustainabilty of the Central Highlands. CHDC advocates a cooperative regional approach to economic development.

Indigenous Representiative

The position of Indigenous Representiative is currently vacant.

REPRESENTATIVES STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES (NON-VOTING)

Kevin McCosker

Senior Project Officer, Primary Industries & Fisheries, part of the Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation.

George Bourne

Senior Natural Resource Management Officer, Department of Environment and Resource Management

Megan Daniels

Executive Officer

Vicki Horstman

Grains BMP Officer

Vicki has grown up in a rural environment with a background in farming and cattle production in Central Queensland and the Capricorn Coast. Vicki has had extensive experience as a sales agronomist/consultant in the cotton industry in the Central Highlands, NSW and southern Queensland. She is involved in several community groups, including WINCOT (Women in Cotton), the Emerald Show Society, and 'LIVE OK', (Lilyvale Inhabitants Verifying the Environment is OK). Vicki started work with CHRRUP in May 2005, and has completed an Associate Diploma in Applied Science (Agronomy).

Shonte Moran

Kilcummin Grains BMP officer

Shontae comes from a mixed farming and grazing background in the northern part of Central Queensland.  She has had exposure to many facets of the industry working for Pacific Seeds as a Regional Sales Support Officer whilst completing an Associate Diploma of Applied Science – Agronomy, in an Agronomist/Merchandise Sales Officer role at Primac Elders in Clermont before returning to her family’s property.  She now lives with her husband and children on a grazing property north of Clermont and keeps close ties with the grains industry through her parents enterprise in the Kilcummin area. 

Rachel Archbald

Field Officer

 Rachel brings international experience to her role with CHRRUP, having worked in the UK for two years as a field trials officer for an agrochemical company. She completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science in Animal Science through the University of Queensland. Although choosing agriculture as a career, Rachel is not from a farming background and describes herself as a "Brisbane girl with a love of the the country". She began her employment with CHRRUP in 2011.

Bernie Claussen

Field Officer

After living in several different communities in North Queensland and then on Christmas Island, Bernie is very happy to be back in Central Queensland. Having been raised on a mixed farm (lucerne, dry cropping and cattle) in the Dee River Valley, Bernie brings with her farming and grazing experience and a first-hand knowledge of land degradation issues. Academic qualification includes a Bachelor of Natural Resource Management (Honours) from UNE, Armidale. On Christmas Island, Bernie fulfilled numerous roles centred around educating for sustainability, engaging both children and adults in the local environment and natural resource issues.

Sally Murden

Administration Officer

Sally has lived and worked in the Emerald area since 1974, gaining experience with irrigation, cattle and cropping and managing small businesses. Sally has held administrative and financial roles in various industries, both locally and in other parts of Australia. Sally has been part of the CHRRUP team since January 2006.