Ginny Stevens

FOUNDER

Growing up on a farm in Tasmania and now living on a farm in Mangoplah in the NSW Riverina Ginny understands the unique challenges farmers face in maintaining their fitness and well-being.

Where it all began

Active Farmers was established to address the alarming mental health statistics in regional Australia. Ginny's goal was to bring communities together through regular group fitness classes in a fun and interactive environment. These classes mimic the 'team sport effect,' fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Our Vision

Since being granted charity status in 2018, our vision has remained steadfast: to build stronger and more resilient farming communities.

Led by a dedicated board, a small team of staff, numerous volunteer committees, and 51 qualified personal trainers, Active Farmers now serves 65 small farming communities across the country. Our trainers conduct over 300 classes per month, engaging more than 1,500 participants, to improve the health and well-being of their communities.

  • Our goal is to continue growing, serving more small farming communities, and ultimately saving more lives through a proactive, grassroots approach to health.

Meet the Team

  • Mark Slater

    CEO

  • Ali Lane

    Office & Partnerships Manager

  • Boyd Rae

    General Manager WA

  • Marliese Heffernan

    General Manager NSW & QLD

  • Claire Harrison

    General Manager VIC, SA & TAS

  • Jackie Elliott

    National Events Manager

Introducing Our Board

  • Judy Hargrave

    Board Chair

    Judy retired back to Melbourne in 2018 after practising law as a corporate counsel for multinationals for over 30 years in Australia, Hong Kong, and Latin America.

    Since returning to Australia Judy has worked with a few Not For Profit Organisations in different capacities from hands-on operational activities, to mentoring, to Board membership. She is also on the Board of another social enterprise, For Change Co Ltd, which provides pathways out of homelessness for youth.

  • Jeremy Hutchings

    Board Member

    Jeremy, with a lifelong passion for agriculture, brings extensive experience as a leading company strategist and business coach to his role as Managing Director of Farm Owners Academy. Raised on a productive mixed farming enterprise in Yerong Creek, NSW, he studied Agricultural Science, Economics, and Trade, and built a career in farm and agribusiness consulting. Now residing with his wife Jane and four children on a farm near Cootamundra, NSW, Jeremy has well-established business acumen and a strong background in strategy, growth, and performance management.

  • Anna Gellert

    Board Member

    Anna grew up on a farm on the South Australian-Victorian border and now lives with her husband on a property in Willaura, Victoria. She has a career in events, advertising, media, and marketing, working with brands like AWB, BASF, Dulux, Cabot’s, Ansell, Australian Consolidated Milk, and Ego Pharmaceuticals. Passionate about regional communities, Anna served as Media & Communications Adviser for Tony Pasin MP in Federal Parliament, gaining insight into government operations.

    Now the Tourism Marketing Manager for Northern Grampians Shire Council, Anna develops place branding to promote the region. She is a strong supporter of Active Farmers, advocating for services that foster community connection.

  • Neil Brown

    Board Member

    Neil is a CPA and Director of Gardner Brown Accountants, specialising in business accounting services for the past eight years. With over 20 years of experience in Banking and Financial Services, Neil grew up on a mixed farm between Tarcutta and Borambola.

    He began his career with Macquarie Bank in the Funds Management Group and then worked at the Royal Bank of Canada in Sydney on the Securities Lending and FX trading desk. Neil and his wife spent 18 months in Toronto working on the stock lending desk with RBC before returning to the Wagga area.

  • David Heffernan

    Board Member

    David M. Heffernan is the proprietor of Culburra Pharmacy and has been dedicated to the pharmaceutical field for the past fifteen years. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy with a major in Community Health.

    Currently serving as President of the NSW Branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, David has also been Chair of the Charles Sturt University Pharmacy Foundation and a member of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch Committee. Passionate about community and public policy, David is committed to improving rural areas in Australia through community relations and positive outcomes. He aims to increase political engagement in Australian pharmaceuticals and advocate for public education.

  • Ginny Stevens

    Board Member

    Ginny grew up on a farm in Tasmania and has always been passionate about agriculture and keeping active. She combined these two loves when she founded Active Farmers in 2015.

    She had a career in agribusiness banking in southern NSW before deciding to devote her energies full-time to expanding the Active Farmers network and services. She and husband Andy operate a mixed farming business at Mangoplah.

  • Joe Briggs

    Board Member

    Joe is a mixed irrigation farmer from Coleambally, NSW. He is a member of the Southern Valley Cotton Association, President of the Coleambally Community Gym, member of Apex, and committee member for the Coleambally Demonstration Farm.

    He is a prominent supporter of Active Farmers who has participated in the inaugural 'Ride For Resilience' as well as instigated the Coleambally Active Farmers community and the successful running of the Coleambally Active Games held annually in March.