NSW Local Land Services North West Region

2020 Local Board Member Election (3 to be Elected)

Candidate List and Profile Statements

CRUICKSHANK, Geoffrey Allan ...... 2 RITTER, Peter Kent ...... 3 HEATH, David Geoffrey ...... 4 WINTER, Mark Alan ...... 5 HARRIS, Keith Ean ...... 6 WELLER, Karen ...... 8 McMAHON, Annie ...... 9 QUINCE, David Michael ...... 10

NSW LLS North West - Election 2020 - Candidate List and Profile Statements Page 1 of 10

CRUICKSHANK, Geoffrey Allan

My name is Geoffrey Allan Cruickshank and I reside at "Warra ffid" ,1,174 Bogamildi Road. Moree. NSW 2400.

I am currently a successful self-employed farmer and grazier on property north east of Moree and also have Grazing interests in the Narrabri Shire.

I have been an RFS volunteer for 42 years, 3 years as Brigade Captain, 10 years in the Moree Apex Club, trustee of the Popinguy Union Church and Croppa Creek Public Recreational Reserve, 8 years as an elected Directors Northern Slopes Rural Lands Protection Board and 4 years an elected Director of the North West Livestock and Pest Authority of which 2 years I was a State Policy Council member. I am currently a Crooble Memorial Hall committee member, a current member of the Council Road Network Consultative Group, a member of the Moree Motor Enthusiasts Club and was the Convener of the Community Advisory Group for the North West Local Land Services until I was elected onto the North West Local Lands Services Board in 2OI7. I am also a member of the North Star to Qld Border Community Consultative Committee for Inland Rail and a Committee member of the Northern Slopes Landcare Association Board.

I have attended and have statement of attendance from the Foundations of Directorships; Governance for Directors; Strategy and Risk and Finance for new Directors in 2011. I am responsible for biosecurity on my own properties, have asset management skills,.maintaining machinery, vehicles and infrastructure in my own business and manage financials to a standard set by accountants.

I am also an occasional TSR user and understand the immense value of the NSW TSR network not only grazing stock they have a huge environmental value to the community as a whole and need to be maintained to an acceptable sta nda rd.

As a current NWLLS Board member lfeel that I have represented the ratepayers to the best of my ability and would be privileged to continue if reelected

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NSW LLS North West - Election 2020 - Candidate List and Profile Statements Page 2 of 10

RITTER, Peter Kent

Address: “Tulagi” 616 Tulagi Rd Gurley NSW 2398

➢ Owner and partner/director of the downs (Gurley) pastoral company:- farmers & graziers ➢ Owner of contract spraying business ➢ Deputy Captain and Permit Officer for the Gurley RFS brigade (35yrs service) ➢ Authorised Officer for firearms safety awareness testing in N.S.W ➢ Trustee for NSW Government on Gurley sportsgrounds ➢ Member of Moree Plains Shire Council roads committee ➢ Member and Club Captain for Moree pistol club ➢ Former director of Moree rlpb and ➢ Interim director of Northwest lhpa ➢ Former member of advisory panel to the Australian Wheat Board ➢ Member of QANTAS advisory panel ➢ Holder of chbm cert qualifications

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HEATH, David Geoffrey

Address: “Hartfell” 8710 Kamilarot Hwy Gunnedah NSW 2380

I, David Geoffrey Heath of “Hartfell” 8710 Kamilarot HWY GUNNEDAH NSW 2380 Occupation – Farmer and Grazier and Investment Advisor I was born and raised in the Gunnedah district of the Liverpool Plains.

In my younger years I was a stock & station agent, auctioneer & livestock agent and managed farmers & graziers co-operative, Tumbarumba branch I also owned and managed my own farm “Hartfell” near Gunnedah NSW since 1989 and am also an investment manger specializing in equity investment and am a master member stockbrokers & financial advisers association

I have spent my whole life dealing with the various issues of land ownership farming and raising livestock and bring a lot of experience with me, having lived though many flood doughts and technology advancements

I am managing director of a company that owns a mining lease near the township of Leonora in W.A. Therefore am familiar with the challenges associated with mining operations in farming communities

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WINTER, Mark Alan

Address: 2022 Gingham Rd Moree NSW 2400

Mark Winter, living and farming at Inglewood Forest, 2022 Gingham Rd Moree. Married and have three adult children.

My interest in the land and water stemmed from being the fourth generation of our family on the same property with my son following on.

My passion for efficient and sustainable land and water use in a healthy environment and supporting flourishing communities has led to my various active involvement in the community and likewise organisations. My current involvement in local and regional organisations include:-

North West Local Land Services Community Advisory Group NWLLS CAG Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA) Deputy chair and on various sub Committees

Gwydir Environmental Allowance Operations Advisory Committee Gwydir Stakeholders Advisory Panel (SAP) Water Sharing Plan Water NSW Gwydir CAG- current Chairperson NSW Irrigators Council- rep. on Northern Valley Flood Plain Harvesting Review Committee Local RFS over 45yrs current Deputy Captain Ashley Brigade

Past involvements include Moree Scouts Group- President Moree Apex Club Garah Boomi Pony Club President Moree Plains Shire Council Rural Rates Advisory Panel

With my past and current involvement with local land use, environmental and community activities I feel I have the knowledge and ability to add to the Boards management of our vast North West land use activities.

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NSW LLS North West - Election 2020 - Candidate List and Profile Statements Page 5 of 10 HARRIS, Keith Ean

1. Current Occupation:- Semi retired; however purchased own property near Tamworth. Breeding & backgrounding cattle; whilst also running a horse stud.

2. Employment history:- A history of managing some of the best agricultural properties in NSW; from Gundaline Station a row crop irrigation property on the Murrumbidgee River and then to Cowl Cowl Station, a 60,000 Ha property on the Lachlan River

Cowl Cowl was part of the Uncle Toby's Group with cattle, sheep & over 10,000 Ha of irrigation, growing Wheat Oats, Maize, Popcorn, used to produce breakfast cereals & muesli bars.

Liverpool Plains Northern NSW:- Property Manager "Milchengowrie" Boggabri - cattle, 10,000 bales cotton, feedlot & grain farming. An amalgamation of 9 properties. 2004 Property Manager "Windy Station" - 20,000 Ha on the Liverpool Plains. - Included 10,000 Ha Black-soil - no till farming plus up to a 12,000 head cattle enterprise. Promoted to Northern General Manager of Romani Pastoral. 2012-16 Private Consultant for Romani - Windy, etc.

3. Membership & Positions held representing Farming Communities:- Farmers representative & Trustee 'Helix Contamination Court Case'

- Farmers won a landmark court case against Chemical giant ICI.

Chairman of the Boggabri Landcare 1996-2003.

Upper Namoi Water Users Associations Vice President.

Chairman of the Upper Namoi Cotton Growers 1994-2001.

- Pilot program grower helping to develop Cotton BMP.

Farmer Representative on Gunnedah Chemical Liaison Committee.

- Worked with EPA to develop Chemical Spraying Guidelines.

Grower representative Cotton R&D 1999-2002.

Director of AgVance Farming - Liverpool Plains 2005-10. Grower on the GRDC - Northern Panel 2011-15.

Member of Grain Growers - National Policy Group 2015-18.

Current Board Member of the North West Local Land Services

NSW LLS North West - Election 2020 - Candidate List and Profile Statements Page 6 of 10 Comments

LLS's responsibilities are to focus on delivering better outcomes for rate payers in regards to Land Management, Biosecurity, Weed Control, Pest Eradication and to provide Advisory Services which can improve customer knowledge targeted at improving on farm efficiency & profitability.

Obviously I am well qualified to contribute in these areas and despite the worst drought in Australia's history the current Board has successfully made significant improvement in many of these areas including:- Changes in rules regarding control measures around Kangaroos & Pest Control:- Feral Deer management. - major trials of deer culling program around Willow Tree - Liverpool Plains.

Weed Hudson Pear; an unbelievable weed with the potential to spread Control:- throughout the M-D Basin - Working with DPI to fund construction of a new control facility being built in Lightning Ridge. - The LAB used to breed 'Cochineal' insects which eat various cacti including 'Hudson Pear'.

Travelling Stock:- Development new clearer, fairer Management rules. Advisory Services:- Support LLS Staff Managing drought and helping farmers.

Due to compulsory retirement the current North West LLS Board has already lost 1-2 key Board Members and we now seek your support to ensure some ongoing stability. I am passionate about working on behalf of all farmers therefore I ask for your support in the upcoming election.

Thank You - Keith Harris

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NSW LLS North West - Election 2020 - Candidate List and Profile Statements Page 7 of 10 WELLER, Karen

Address: “Wolli” 2006 Old Winton Rd Winton NSW 2344

Occupation: Business Administration Manager and Primary Producer of cattle and sheep on 2800 acres located west of Tamworth.

Qualifications: Certificate IV in Business Administration Diploma of Agribusiness Management

Self-employed for 25 years in the agricultural industry, specifically in the livestock sector. Managing Partner of a family farming business with sole responsibility for bookkeeping, office management, business marketing, policy writing and procedures.

Sole owner of another small-business providing Freelance Writing and Administration Services including Business Plans and Strategic Planning for other companies and business. I also have a background in computers, data entry and banking services.

Community Organisations - Current Positions Held: Country Women’s Association of NSW (CWA) - Wanthella Group Agricultural & Environmental Officer. NSW Farmers Association Tamworth & District - Branch Treasurer. Glen Innes Hereford Vendors Committee - Treasurer.

For over 20 years, I have held voluntary Executive positions each year across many organisations and industries. I believe in community support, promoting the agricultural industry and encouraging personal growth.

Skills & Expertise: Organisation, planning and attention to detail, keep me self-motivated to produce efficient outcomes in Business Administration and Agribusiness Management. I have experience in financial management and reporting, business risk management, farm biosecurity practices and complying with Government rules and regulations in rural business.

I am trustworthy and reliable, with a passion to inspire others through leadership qualities. Community engagement is important to me and this has kept me involved with local organisations in my community to make a positive difference. Although I have received public recognition for my contribution to the community over the years, this is not why I volunteer my time. I value the community connection, the support and the genuine purpose for what I do. I find at times I need to be the voice for others or to help with new ideas to bring change and deliver purpose. And I am grateful that people can trust me to voice their concerns, as I strive for a resolution. Honesty and integrity are my core values and I have a very strong work ethic.

I am nominating for this position because of my involvement with CWA and the experience I have accumulated in the agricultural industry. I believe that I have great organisational skills and planning strategies that will contribute to sustaining our primary industries. The Local Land Services is a valuable resource that brings security to agriculture and direction for its future. I would be proud to be a part of the Board to support Australian agriculture.

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NSW LLS North West - Election 2020 - Candidate List and Profile Statements Page 8 of 10 McMAHON, Annie

Address: Nowley West Property 1999 Nowley Road Burren Junction NSW 2386

Registered Nurse and Midwife

Associate Fellow Australian College Health Managers

Successfully completed a certificate in Farm Office Management

For over 30 years as a an active partner in a successful Primary Production farming and grazing business in NW NSW

For 20years of this time have also have been a manager and leader in Rural, Regional and Remote Public Health Services from Townsville to Dubbo and places in between. For a short I worked as a site logistic manager with Grain Corp.

Currently a member of Local Government as an elected Councillor for the Narrabri Shire.

Through my extensive leadership/management and business roles I have gained a very good knowledge of Governance and am advocate for equity in the bush across all sectors.

Currently elected Director on the Local North West Land Service.

Current member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

I am hard working and willing to put myself out there to achieve the best outcomes for my communities that I serve.

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NSW LLS North West - Election 2020 - Candidate List and Profile Statements Page 9 of 10 QUINCE, David Michael

By way of introduction , my name is David Quince of "Tambar Vale" , 1109 Premer Road , Tambar Springs, NSW , 2381 in the . I am a Farmer & Grazier in my early sixties and have been actively been involved in Agricultural Industry for over forty five years . Over this period of time , forty years in this area the Liverpool Slopes & Plains with the remainder in the Northern Territory , Queensland and the Central West of NSW.

Curriculum Vitae: Educated at Knox Grammar School , Wahroonga , . Graduate of University of Sydney Orange Agricultural College. Fourth Generation Farmer and Grazier

Elected Committee Member of the North West Drought Exceptional Circumstances Advisory Committee that was responsible and successfully lobbying the Howard Government to enact much needed Exceptional Circumstances Financial Support during the 2002 Drought.

Chairman of the Mullaley Gas Pipeline Accord { MGPA } , Landowner based Lobby Group on the western side of Liverpool Slopes & Plains for the last eight years, that successfully prevented the construction of a Coal Seam Gas Pipeline being built down through this precious and vulnerable area of black vertisol soils and flood plains.

Councillor on Gunnedah Shire Council from 2012 through to 2016 . While fulfilling this role as a Councillor , I gained Certificates of Attendance in the following : {1} Long Term and Financial Planning. {2} Effective Fair Meeting Practice. {3} Conflict of Interest and Model Code of Conduct.

I also have been an active member for the past year on the North West Local Lands Services Community Advisory Group { CAG } so have a good understanding of the issues and obligations that the NW LLS faces and deals with.

As well as managing and running my own Farming Operation, cattle and grain production in the past but now concentrating in Stud White Dorper and Commercial Dorper Lamb Operation. I also have run a Contact broadacre Farming and Share Farming Operation for twenty years successfully and a Contact Broadacre Agriculture Spraying Business since 2002. I feel my qualifications and experience allow me the necessary skills to meet the requirements to apply for one of the vacant positions on the North West Local Land Services Board as my time on Council and the other elected positions I have held cover the requirements stated in the the Local Land Services Regulation Act 2004 , Clause 90 : Required expertise, knowledge or skills of Local Boards listed 1 - 9 Leadership, strategic planning & management. Audit, financial control & reporting risk management. Primary Industry or providing services to support this sector. Natural resource management & biodiversity conservation. Working with aboriginal groups & communities.

I am passionate about Agriculture and it's future as well as the issues and problems it faces but also confident that the future of Agriculture and this Region is a bright and prosperous future as the world's demand for the food and products we produce increases dramatically.

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