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Leadership Through the Ages - Presenters

DR GUS HAMILTON – FARMING SYSTEM SCIENTIST

Bachelor Agricultural Science (UQ), Masters Science (Agricultural Knowledge Systems) (WU) & PhD (Extension and Environmental Science) (WU)

Gus is a systems scientist with over 30 years experience, who, until recently, was the Chief Extension Officer for the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F). As a private consultant he utilises his expertise in program and project management, engagement strategies and monitoring and evaluation to provide support to government and non government organisations with emphasis on profitability and sustainability issues.

His extension credentials are grounded in his post graduate training (both a Masters of Agricultural Knowledge Systems and a PhD in Extension and Environmental Science) through the Wageningen University in the Netherlands.

He has continued to develop his skills through delivery of postgraduate training in contemporary extension models and theories through the Centre for Rural and Regional Innovation - Queensland and subsequently through the University of Queensland (Gatton College).

He developed and maintained international and national networks in the extension profession through (a) his supervision and examination of post graduates, both Australian and International, in collaboration with the University of Western Sydney, the University of Queensland and Wageningen University. He was also a member of the Senior Extension Leaders Network (the Chief Extension Officers or equivalent of the State Government departments of Agriculture).

DR BRIAN SCHAFER – SOIL SCIENTIST

Bachelor Rural Science, Master of Rural Science PhD (UNE) (Soil Formation, Distribution and Classification for Agricultural Production)

Brian has spent the larger part of his career lecturing at the University of New England and also at the University of Queensland at the Gatton and St Lucia Campuses in Pedology and Soil and Land Suitability aspects of Agricultural Land Resource Management. In the latter part of his career and besides his teaching obligations he undertook professional consulting in soil assessment besides running related commercial interests.

Since leaving the University employment in 2002, he has continued with his commercial interests and private consultancy work which are covered in the following topics:

Assessment of soil and land suitability for agricultural land use
Soil and plant response to agricultural management technology
Management of industrial effluent for agricultural production
Currenlty, Brian is acting as a private consultant for landholders and large companies largely in the area of soil assessment to formulate advice for soil and water management for agricultural production and to meet ERA compliance standards.

GARY ALCORN – RURAL COMMUNICATIONS

Bachelor Arts (Journalism) (USQ), Certificate for Rural Technician (Soil Conservation), Graduate Certificate Professional Communication (USQ) Certificate IV is Training and Assessment (TAFE)

Gary’s career started out as a Soil Conservation Officer in Roma and Miles for the Dept of Primary Industries and then he switched to journalism and became the manager of the Western Star newspaper. He then joined Queensland Country Life as a rural journalist for 12 years reporting from all over Australia. Gary started his own PR business in Toowoomba, specializing in rural communications for clients such as the Australian Grain magazine, Pacific Seeds, The University of Queensland Gatton College, and the Dept of Primary Industries. Gary was appointed as a journalist and the Communications Manager at the University of Southern Queensland. He then made another career change to academia, and lectured in Journalism and PR at the University of Southern Queensland. Altogether, Gary has had 31 years experience in rural and regional communications.

DR JEFF CLEWETT – AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATE SCIENTIST

Bachelor Agricultural Science (Hons) (UQ), Ph D (Climate impacts on farm dam water supplies and grain production) (Griffith University)

Jeff is currently the Director and Principal Scientist at Agroclim Pty Ltd, Toowoomba and an Adjunct Professor at USC. Previously, Jeff was a Program Leader at the Queensland Centre for Climate Applications for the Department of Primary Industries. The focus of Jeff’s work has been on research, development & extension regarding the management of climate risks especially impacts of El Nino, La Nina and climate change and the implications for rainfall, temperatures, runoff, grain, pastures, fodder, and grazing in natural resource management and agriculture. Jeff’s recent projects include;

Developing and rolling out the Grains Best Management Practice module “Managing Climate Risk” for the Northern Grains Industry
Development and application of climate analysis and education tools such as Rainman and DroughtPlan
Research on the likely impacts of climate variability and climate change on native pasture grazing systems using the GRASP pasture production model
Assessing impacts of climate change on fire risk and water planning
Building capacity to manage climate variability and climate change via a continuing series of 80 training workshops with landholders.

DR DON YULE

Bachelor Agricultural Science (Hons), Masters Science & PhD

Don has spent 35 years working with State Government Research and Development specializing in soil physics, soil water, runoff and erosion and farming systems leading to the development of Controlled Traffic Farming Systems (CTF). Don has been instrumental in the implementation of participatory action learning programs to develop CTF on-farm, and by understanding that each farm/ farmer combination is unique has contributed to widespread adoption across Australia of the CTF systems.

Don is currently the CEO of CFT solutions and has spent 9 years as a private consultant providing services such as;

Research & Development in high resolution guidance, remote sensing, topography for CTF, farming system development across all cropping industries, automated measurement and processing tools and adoption strategies
Training for accredited workshops, conferences and field tours

ANDREW VAN DER REEST

Andrew is a co-founder of Discoveries. A fully qualified and registered psychologist, Andrew is passionate about the topics that he presents and loves to help people find the keys to their success. Andrew has a wealth of experience in training and coaching people and helping them achieve their full potential. He combines this with his personal experience in business and his insights gained from many years counselling individuals and teams to create a unique approach that motivates people to make long term changes for the better in their workplace and personal relationships. Those who have attended Andrew’s seminars or talks have found the experience enlightening, educational, refreshing and thoroughly entertaining - read what others have said.

Due to his success in helping other organisations, Andrew has also been invited to contribute to a series of books called ‘Secrets Exposed’, contributing his unique insights into ‘Secrets of Top Business Consultants Exposed’. Contributing authors in previous titles include Simon Reynolds (Advertising Expert), Jim Penman (Jim’s Mowing), Brad Sugars (Action International) and Justin Herald (Attitude Gear), to name a few.