Ginny Stevens
FOUNDER & AMBASSADOR
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.
Active Farmers is proud to celebrate the remarkable journey of our Founder, Past CEO, and Board member, Ginny Stevens.
Through her vision, determination, and deep commitment to rural communities, Ginny has grown Active Farmers from a grassroots idea into a thriving national movement supporting the health and wellbeing of thousands across regional Australia. To recognise her enormous contribution and legacy, we are delighted to announce her appointment as our Founder Ambassador.
Active Farmers is also delighted to announce the appointment of Gerard Hines, Managing Director of Delta Agribusiness, as our Founding Ambassador. This milestone honours Gerard’s enduring contribution and marks an exciting new chapter in the organisation’s story.
From the very beginning, Gerard has stood alongside Ginny and the Active Farmers community. His belief, generosity, and advocacy have been instrumental in shaping the organisation’s growth and success. Now, in his role as Founding Ambassador, Gerard’s longstanding support is formally recognised. He will continue to champion partnerships, share his expertise, and help expand the reach of Active Farmers to more rural communities across Australia.
Together, Ginny and Gerard embody the spirit of Active Farmers: community, resilience, and wellbeing for rural Australia.
Founder, Past CEO, and Board member - Ginny Stevens
Managing Director of Delta Agribusiness - Gerard Hines
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 30 qualified personal trainers, Active Farmers now serves 42 small farming communities across the country. Our trainers conduct over 250 classes per month, engaging more than 1,500 participants, to improve the health and well-being of their communities.
Introducing Our Board
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
