David Chamberlin - Chief Executive Officer

Coming from a sheep and beef cattle background, David has worked for 28 years in agriculture, including farm supplies retail, food sourcing and packaging, and agricultural chemicals. The last 21 years were spent with Bayer in various sales, marketing and general management roles in Indonesia, Singapore, Germany, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand, before returning to Australia at the end of 2010. He started with BCG in April, and with the family also moving the population of Birchip will increase by five. BCG will certainly benefit from his extensive experience.

Simon Craig - Research Agronomist

Simon commenced with BCG in 2004. In 2005, he was awarded a 'Science and Innovation Award for Young People' for his research looking at the potential use of liquid fertilisers for phosphorus and micronutrients in the Mallee, part of a Masters by Research (part-time) with the University of Adelaide. Simon completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons) at La Trobe University in 2003 and was a recipient of GGA 'Partners in Grain' scholarship.

Margaret O'Keefe - Corporate Relations and Events Manager

After operating her own events management consulting business for 12 years in Warrnambool, Margaret joined the BCG in April 2005. Her portfolio of experiences embraces managing national conferences, exhibitions and major events including directing the inaugural Sydney International Children's Festival. Margaret's experience includes event management, strategic planning, marketing, logistics, sponsorship and media liaison. Margaret organises the annual BCG Expo and field days and liaises with corporate sponsors to maintain and develop partnerships.

 Kate Reilly - Extension Manager

Kate commenced at the Birchip Cropping Group in June 2010 as the new extension coordinator. Kate completed a Bachelor of Arts and Science at Deakin University and for the past five years has been working as an Animal Health Officer for the Department of Primary Industries. Kate was born and bred on a mixed farming enterprise north of Birchip and is excited to be back closer to the family farm and getting involved in the local community.

De-Anne Price - Research & Extension Officer

De-Anne joined the BCG in February 2011 as a Research and Extension Officer and is enjoying a good mix of field, lab and written work. Livestock in no till farming systems, crop sequences, weeds projects and helping Harm out with the Technical Bulletin have been a focus for De over the last year. Previous employment was with the Department of Primary Industries in the Grains Team on a number of projects including TOPCROP and ‘The Break’ seasonal climate risk newsletter. De grew up on a family farm at Quantong, has recently married a local farmer and is enjoying the friendly family banter between Wimmera versus Mallee farming! De is looking forward to the ‘after harvest’ ski season at Tchum Lake and heading up to the Murray for a spot of fishing to catch the ‘big one’.

Janice Kelly – Finance Manager (P/T)

Claire Cook - Trials Administrator

Claire has worked for BCG sporadically since 2007. She returned in July this year, part time, in a trials admin role. Claire and her husband Chris operate a mixed cropping and sheep farm 5km west of Watchem. Claire is kept busy chasing their four young children: Ruby, Hannah, Harry and Ollie. She is a keen hockey player. She is heavily involved in the Birchip-Watchem Hockey Club and a plethora of child-related organizations.

Angela Liston - Membership Officer (P/T)

Angela is a remnant of the Jurassic age of BCG and is the longest serving member of staff. Her responsibilities are divided between the provision of exceptional service for members and supporting the role of Finance Manager. Angela believes that the sustainability and liveability of small rural communities is the responsibility of those who choose to live within them, and is therefore involved with a number of committees to help facilitate this end.Angela is passionate about her children, loves reading, gardening and a tidy desk! She is proud to bask in the reflected glory of the plethora of enthusiastic and exuberant staff who strive to improve the prosperity of farmers and agricultural communities

Claire Browne - Trials Coordinator

Claire has been working for BCG since March 2007. Originally on the Flexible Farming Systems project at Jil Jil, she has spent the last two years co-ordinating the research team at BCG. Claire also works on the Water Use Efficiency project located at Hopetoun. Claire grew up in South Australia’s mid north on a mixed cropping and sheep farm at Marrabel. After completing a Bachelor of Agriculture in 2006 at the University of Adelaide, Roseworthy campus she made the move to Birchip and has since never looked back.  Claire is an imperative member of the BCG team, and will be seen co-ordinating the research staff, ensuring that none of the trials are overlooked and she also has an active role in the field work at the various trial sites. Outside of work, in what’s left of her spare time, she is actively involved in the Birchip/Watchem Netball Club and can often be seen assisting with duties at various community functions. 

Dannielle McMillan - Research Officer

Dannielle grew up on a dairy farm at Waaia in Northern Victoria and completed a Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne's Dookie Campus in 2009. Dannielle worked for Rivalea Australia in Corowa in the graduate program as a production officer. Dannielle has been working as a Research Officer with BCG since relocating to Birchip in May 2011. Dannielle works on a variety of trials at BCG, including a Grain and Graze project, members’ trials such as canola varieties and stem rust and the Integrated Pest Management trial. Dannielle is diligent in collecting dry matter cuts, trial monitoring and all aspects of the trial-related activities in the field across all BCG sites. Outside of BCG, Dannielle is actively involved with the Birchip Netball Club, and socialising with the great people of the Birchip community.

Skye Gabb - Research Officer

Skye joined BCG in October 2011 in the role of Research Officer. Skye has completed a Bachelor of Rural Science at the University of New England, Armidale, and has worked for the Sheep CRC and, most recently, volunteered for 10 months on an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research project in Eastern Indonesia. Skye grew up on a family farm at Skipton and is looking forward to getting involved in the local community and sporting clubs. 

Rachel Ferrier - Casual Trial Support

Rachel joined BCG in October 2010. She was born and bred on a mixed cropping and sheep farm west of Watchem, and moved to Birchip in 2005 when she married local farmer, Cameron Ferrier. They have a daughter called Gracie. Rachel provides the essential backup support for the BCG trials team, with duties including processing grain samples, weighing soil, data entry and also helps out in the field wherever she is required. Outside of BCG, Rachel volunteers for the CERT team and is a sports trainer and umpire for the local football and netball clubs respectively.

Alison Frischke - Grain & Graze Systems Officer (P/T)

Alison joined BCG in March 2010. Based near Bendigo, she is working on the Northern Victorian Grain & Graze 2 Program and BCG livestock activities. She has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons) majoring in animal science at Adelaide University, and is currently studying a Grad. Certificate of Rural Science (Ag. Consulting) at the University of New England. Alison grew up on a low rainfall, mixed cropping and sheep farm near Ceduna in South Australia. She previously worked for many years at SARDI’s Minnipa Agricultural Centre on Eyre Peninsula, conducting research, extension and project management which focussed on ways to improve farm production, efficiencies and exploring flexible farming system options. Alison and her family are really enjoying Victorian life; exploring the beautiful state and learning the history, making many new friends, and despite the lack of whiting holes in central Victoria they keep trying to catch a fish!

Daryl Burdett - Technical Officer

A born and bred Mallee boy and ex farmer Daryl’s experience is invaluable to the BCG trials team.  Daryl gives a practical perspective on BCG trial work which ensures the outputs are relevant and applicable to farmers. Daryl is great with his hands and has a great attention to detail which means he is often called upon to repair damaged machinery or to build a new contraption to improve trial operations. Daryl’s abilities as a BCG employee are equalled by his enthusiasm for social activities. Past his foot-balling prime Daryl is now more suited to the bowling green where he can match it with the best of them.  

Tim McClelland - Yield Prophet Co-ordinator

Tim joined BCG in July 2008 to coordinate the service and delivery of Yield Prophet® across Australia. He grew up on a mixed enterprise family farm north of Birchip. He attended the Birchip P – 12 School and completed a Bachelor of Agriculture/Commerce at the University of Melbourne.  After a 10 year absence, Tim, with his wife, Julie, has moved back to Birchip. He is managing two trials examining the phenology and grain filling characteristics of 8 wheat and barley varieties. The data collected from these trials will be incorporated into the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator and Yield Prophet and will help to increase the accuracy of simulations. Tim’s role also involves the financial analysis of BCG trials and projects. At weekends, he might be seen hacking his way around a golf course, controlling two badly behaved dogs or taking on an enthusiastic role in the local hockey club.

Ciara Cullen - Extension and Communication Officer

Ciara joined BCG in January 2011.as the Extension and Communication Officer. She grew up on a potato farm in West Gippsland, and completed a Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne in 2010. As part of her role at BCG she is involved in the extension team of BCG’s project work. Projects that Ciara works on include; GM Canola Agronomy, Web2.0 technologies, Integrated Pest Management and SPAA (Precision Agriculture). Aside from this, she also compiles the BCG newsletter, writes articles for local newspapers, assists with compiling the annual Season Research Results book and works together to organise events, among other various jobs! Ciara loves to get out in the field and learn as much about as possible about each of the trials. She is passionate about efficient and sustainable farming systems to maximise profitability of mixed farming operations. Outside of work you’ll find Ciara on the sidelines of the local netball, footy and hockey fields, driving across the state to catch up with friends and/or enjoying a good social outing!

Rose Jones - Website Development and e-Communications Officer

Rose commenced at BCG in March 2011 after moving to Birchip in January 2011 with her partner and 3 y/o son. Her role at BCG involves maintaining the website, uploading new information, assisting with the application of website changes and creating and sending out the BCG eNews. She enjoys the challenges her role involves and working in such a dynamic and productive environment. Rose grew up in Geelong, starting her working career in the racing industry as a strapper and trackrider. She worked for 18 months on a cropping and sheep farm in Cummins, South Australia, before returning to the horses. She loves living and working in Birchip, and getting involved in community events and sports organisations. In her free time, her little boy, two other part-time jobs and owning two horses keep her very busy!! 

Stephen van Rees – Yield Prophet Web Programmer

Stephen is based in Sydney and is responsible for maintaining and further developing the Yield Prophet web interface and associated technology. Stephen is a RMIT student in his final year of an Engineering and Business degree. He is also winner of the 2005 Microsoft Windows Embedded Student Challenge competition, beating finalists from around the world. 

 Dr Cherie Reilly - Research Support (maternity leave)

Cherie returned from maternity leave in April 2009. She provides scientific research support to various projects including the Landcare Delivery Sites, Perennial Pastures, Wheat Phenology and Women's Agronomy Group. Cherie has been a team member since 2002 and also farms with her husband and young daughter at Corack.

Ben Jones - Consultant 'Flexible Farming Systems' project

Ben provides research services to BCG in the Flexible Farming Systems project. The project aims to 1. find new ways of making decisions about what crop to plant where and when, 2. confirm whether no-till works on heavy soils with subsoil limitations, in a variety of systems, and 3. improve farmer skills in managing no-till systems (with Vic No Till). Ben is interested in nearly everything, and aims to bring a global outlook to research in the Mallee via his company, Mallee Focus. Previous work includes the 'novel farming systems' project (using GPS-guidance to change Mallee crop agronomy, with DPI Walpeup), and a PhD project on predicting protein in wheat at flowering time. Ben and wife, Noreen, enjoy the Mallee lifestyle, living on the family farm in Manangatang and growing up with their kids.

Bill Long - Yield Prophet Champion

Bill is principal consultant with Ag Consulting Co based on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia, providing agronomic and economic advice to a large number of farm businesses across the northern cropping districts of the state. Ag Consulting Co has initiated the development of critical soils characterisation required for the adoption of Yield Prophet in South Australia and Bill and his team are active users and promoters of the Yield Prophet program.

Dr Lauren Rickards - Social Research Consultant

Lauren Rickards joined the BCG team in July 2008 as Thinker in Residence to lead the Group’s ongoing social research. Currently a Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne with the Primary Industries Adaptation Research Network, Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Research and the Melbourne Sustainable Societies Institute, Lauren was previously Associate Partner at rural consulting firm RMCG and a Rhodes Scholar. Lauren has a wide range of experience in studying rural and social issues and leads the Critical Breaking Point social research. As Thinker in Residence, she is extending the insights developed through the Critical Breaking Point research and working to identify the research directions and practical measures that are needed to better understand and respond to rural pressures. Originally from Bendigo, Lauren is passionate about rural communities and their prosperity.

John Stuchbery (JSA Independent)

John is a consulting agronomist with BCG for the Flexible Farming systems project, the Water Use Efficiency Project and the Profit Risk project. He has had a long association with BCG as a general committee member up until 2001 and involvement in trial sowing and operations in the early BCDS days. John is a senior consultant at JSA Independent (formerly John Stuchbery and Associates), providing independent agronomic and management advice to clients throughout western Victoria. He is based at Donald, Victoria and has been consulting since 1993.

 Kate Burke (JSA Independent)

Kate has been a consulting agronomist to BCG since 2001, stemming from her involvement with Wimmera Farming systems. She is a senior consultant with JSA Independent (formerly John Stuchbery and Associates) and is based at Murtoa, Victoria. Kate was the statewide project manager of the barley agronomy project from 2008-2009 administered by BCG. She also lends her research and extension expertise to the Flexible Farming Systems project. She is a regular speaker at BCG events and contributes regularly to the BCG technical bulletin. She also provides support for BCG research sites.