The Holbrook Landcare Network Board
Marcus Richardson, Chairperson
Marcus is a farm business owner and manager on a 900 hectare property at Table Top. He brings to the Board experience gained over a number of years in variety of businesses. Before returning to the family property he was previously employed off-farm in banking, accounting, grain trading and logistics, all located around the Riverina area. During the transition to being a full time farmer, he worked part time for Wodonga TAFE conducting recognition of prior learning assessments with farmers across north east Victoria. He completed tertiary studies at the University of New England in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Science and then completed an accounting degree at Charles Sturt University while working in that industry. Marcus has been involved in the Grasslands Society of Southern Albury Wodonga branch, for many years. He has a keen interest in Landcare and birdwatching.
Angela Avery, Deputy Chairperson
Angela has worked in R&D related to pasture agronomy and grazing management across a range of industries. She was the national leader of the EverGraze project which had a focus on improving productivity and sustainability outcomes for the high rainfall grazing zone. Angela also led research funded by the Murray Darling Basin Commission that assessed the environmental, economic and social sustainability of current land management practices in three catchments across the Basin: Goulburn Broken (Vic), Billabong Creek (NSW) and Condamine (QLD). She also is the author of “Pastures for Horses a Winning Resource”. Angela is the Centre Director for the Red Meat Innovation Centre led from Hamilton and manages a research group in the Future Farming Systems Research Division (DPI Victoria). This group has 110 scientists across research disciples including lamb production science, soil science, hydrology, hydrogeology, catchment modelling, farming system economics and spatial information. She is also involved in the development of Victoria’s red meat RD&E program.
Dougald Frederick, Company Secretary
Dougald is a retired Chartered Accountant who lives on a 85 hectare property at Ettamogah. He was previously a partner in KPMG having worked in Melbourne, London, Sydney and Port Moresby prior to transferring to Albury in 1988. Having been raised on a dry land sheep/beef property at Caniambo (between Benalla and Shepparton) he has continued his interest in agriculture throughout his working life. Dougald is involved in a number of local community organisations including Hot House Theatre, MAMA Art Foundation and Parklands Albury Wodonga Public Fund. He has a keen interest in Landcare and is a passionate birdwatcher.
Lucinda Corrigan, Director
A successful Independent Director with a deep understanding of innovation in the Australian Agribusiness sector. She is Co-principal of a family agribusiness in Southern NSW, which produces high quality beef genetics for Australian and international markets. She is an experienced Non-Executive Director with expertise in livestock systems, in supply chain innovation, productivity and sustainability. She has high level communication skills and is an experienced mentor. She has chaired a number of organizations including the Advisory Committee to the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation at Charles Sturt University, the Meat & Livestock Australia Donor Company, the Primary Industries Ministerial Advisory Council (for Min Hodgkinson) in NSW, the Animal Welfare Science Centre at Melbourne University and the Agricultural Genetics and Breeding Unit at the University of New England (current).
Edwina Hayes, Director
Edwina Hayes is a seasoned rural strategist and governance expert with a deep commitment to sustainable agriculture, inclusive leadership, and community resilience. As the founder and principal of Grounded Futures consultancy, she brings over two decades of experience spanning regional development, environmental stewardship, and health leadership. Edwina’s career includes pivotal roles such as CEO of RDA Murray, Board Director Murray Local Land Services, Director of Greater Murray Area Mental Health and Alcohol and Drugs Service and Regional Landcare Facilitator with Holbrook Landcare Network. Her work has shaped policy, driven behavioural change, and empowered local organisations through evidence-based frameworks and strategic planning. Known for her collaborative spirit and clarity of purpose, Edwina has led major initiatives during bushfires, floods, and the pandemic, consistently delivering practical solutions across complex stakeholder environments. She is passionate about embedding scientific insight into local practice and mentoring emerging leaders in regional communities. Edwina’s current focus includes strengthening governance, government relations and amplifying the voice of rural Australia connecting researchers and policy makers with country communities. Her leadership on the Holbrook Landcare Network Board reflects a heartfelt gratitude for community driven landcare values, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stewardship.
Nicola Herbert, Director
Nic is a farm business owner and manager on a 950 hectare property north of Holbrook. Nic grew up on a flood irrigated mixed farming property on the Niemur River, where she developed a keen interest in both agriculture and the environment. Having lived and worked in rural communities her whole life, Nic understands the value of connectivity and resilience in local communities. Together with husband Andrew they raised five children and owned and operated a 1600 hectare rice and livestock enterprise in the Wakool district before relocating to the Holbrook area 12 years ago. They now run a commercial self-replacing fat lamb operation. The property is managed grazed with a focus on animal welfare, a thriving environment and economic prosperity. Nic will bring to the Board of the Holbrook Landcare Network qualities such as curiosity, equanimity and a commitment to the respectful understanding of a range of perspectives.
Melinda McCrohon, Director
Mel is a lecturer in Literacy Studies at CSU, having spent many years working as a specialist literacy teacher, and is also kept busy running a beef cattle business together with her husband. Mel is originally from the New England region but moved to the Holbrook district about 3 years ago with her husband and 3 children and enjoys being actively involved in her local community. She is passionate about creating a profitable and sustainable beef production business which may be passed on to the next generation. Mel sees HLN as an opportunity to continue to develop her leadership capabilities around influence and advocacy and looks to extend new and authentic networks.
Sandy Middleton, Director
Sandy has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree from Charles Sturt University and a Bachelor of Business (Agricultural Commerce) from the University of Sydney. He has been involved in the Agri-business sector for 16 years, with 10 of those as an agronomist in the Holbrook region. In 2017 Sandy established Southern Slopes Agronomy, an independent agronomy business servicing the Holbrook and Upper Murray areas in Southern NSW. Together with his wife Felicity and children Ben and Anna, Sandy also operates a family beef business in the Mannus and Tumbarumba district.
David Watson, Director
Based at Charles Sturt University where he leads the Environmental Programme at the Gulbali Institute, Professor Dave Watson is an ecologist committed to evidence-based strategies to boost biodiversity. With a background in studying bird communities in fragmented landscapes, his current research programme encompasses historic biogeography, landscape ecology and wildlife monitoring across arid, temperate and tropical systems. Originally from Melbourne, Dave completed his PhD in the USA, studying birds in Central American cloud forests, returning to Australia to teach ornithology and set up his research programme in regional NSW. Mistletoe has long been a focus, revealing those ecological interactions and landscape features most critical to maintain diverse and functional ecosystems. Research highlights include establishing the Australian Acoustic Observatory, demonstrating the role of mistletoe as a keystone resource, and discovering plenty of new species on isolated tropical mountains. As a board member of the Great Eastern Ranges and a founding member of the Slopes-to-Summit regional hub, he works with landholders, Indigenous partners and philanthropists to connect people to country.