BCG Research Leader, Claire Browne, grew up on the family farm at Marrabel in South Australia’s mid north. Her father and brother still run the mixed farming enterprise consisting of wheat, barley, oats, canola and merinos. Claire went onto study a Bachelor of Agriculture at the University of Adelaide at the Roseworthy campus.
Claire has not only contributed significantly to the research, extension and social activities at BCG but she has been a willing community participant including holding office in the netball club and Birchip Community Forum.
Claire’s generosity and community mindedness saw her volunteer with the crop physiology team in India at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.
What lead you to be at BCG?
11 years ago, I made the move to Birchip with the intention of one year after looking it up on a map. During this time, I have been captured by the BCG ‘family’ and time has flown!
What is your role at BCG?
My role at BCG is Research Leader which consists of managing some GRDC projects and having input into day to day research activities. Day to day activities include for example sowing plots, producing a budget, plant counts, writing the technical bulletin, biomass cuts or a funding application.
What do you enjoy about working at BCG?
I enjoy working in the agricultural industry and being able to help growers in the Wimmera and Mallee regions. I enjoy the enthusiastic staff and the interaction with local growers who are producing food to feed the population. I am motivated and inspired by BCG’s farmer members. They have a willingness to learn and without that BCG would not be the success that it is.
What do you enjoy about living in Birchip?
I really enjoy the sense of community that Birchip has to offer, and there is always something to do. Living and working in Birchip has many advantages. The only small negative, sometimes there is too much on in a small community and I find it hard to say no!
Claire’s quotes to live by:
Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
Growing up my dad always said, ‘never do anything half-hearted’.
