General Manager WA

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.