Our Staff
Dr Alison Southwell
Alison joined HLN in 2021 after a 19 year career as an agricultural scientist and lecturer at Charles Sturt University. Alison completed a PhD in native grassland ecophysiology before turning her attention to teaching and researching pasture management, agricultural systems and extension, workplace learning and curriculum design. In addition to HLN, Alison manages a commercial finewool Merino enterprise and is mother to two little girls.
Paula Sheehan
Paula has a Bachelor of Forest Management Science from Melbourne University, and has worked in natural resource management in Victoria, Tasmania and NSW. As a natural progression from this Paula became involved in landcare as a Project Officer, then as Local Landcare Coordinator, and is currently the Regional Landcare Coordinator in the Murray Region.
0407 873 396
Sandy Dellwo
Sandy is a passionate advocate for natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, and the Landcare movement, and has recently started with HLN, sharing the Regional Landcare Coordinator (RLC) role with Paula Sheehan.
As an RLC, sandy works closely with local groups and organisations, supporting their efforts in the Murray region. Sandy brings extensive community engagement experience, including her previous role as Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator. With a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and a Diploma of Education (Primary), Sandy combines her knowledge and experience to empower Landcare initiatives.
Outside of work, Sandy enjoys life on a mixed farming property in Deniliquin with her husband and three sons.
0429 120 679
Rachael Daniel
Rachael Daniel is our Local Landcare Coordinator. Coming from Tumbarumba, Rachael is part of a family farming enterprise, comprising of a self-replacing, fine wool Merino flock and an Angus breeding herd.
Rachael has her Bachelor of Environmental Science with two minors in Indigenous Studies and Interpretation from CSU, and previously worked for NPWS as a Discovery Ranger/interpretive guide at Yarrangobilly before coming to work at HLN.
0428 992 607
Judy Kirk
Judy is passionate about Landcare, the environment, biodiversity, and community engagement. Judy is in the final stages of completing a Bachelor of Science (Plant Science major and Conservation Biology minor) with Charles Sturt University and has completed studies in Land Management – Natural Area Restoration, Facilitation and Project Management.
Judy comes to us with a Landcare background and has been working as a Local Landcare Coordinator, Community Support Officer, and Project Officer for the past 8 years in the Murray Region. Prior to this, Judy worked in natural resource management and community engagement, she is also the co-founder and coordinator for the local Woomargama National Park Volunteer Group.
0427 043 097
Nick McGrath
Nick has a mixed farming background. He has a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Conservation and Management) from Charles Sturt University (Albury) and is currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Agriculture. Nick has worked in the soil science field for the past 13 years for both private and government sectors in NSW and the Northern Territory and joined HLN in 2020.
0488 155 101
Steph Cowley
Steph graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science in 2020, and has worked as an agronomist (specialising in pastures) in southwest Victoria, and as property overseer in the Holbrook area. A key component of this latter role included optimising pasture production through rotational grazing and managing seasonal feed deficits.
Steph is passionate about improving natural resources and sustainable pasture outcomes, which is why she is managing our Testing Tropical Pastures and Resilient Pastures projects.
0467 025 777
Jo Scobie
Jo joined HLN mid 2021 to increase capacity of engagement for Landholders in the Mountain Landcare area and assist with delivering projects within the scope of Bush Fire Recovery Projects. Jo is local to Tumbarumba and is passionate about increasing awareness of and improving biodiversity in the area.
0458 482 323
Rita Bowler
Rita has always been a Holbrook local and is active in a wide range of community groups. She has a Diploma of Applied Science (Ag), Bachelor of Arts (with majors in History & Geography) & DipEd (Ag & Science) from Charles Sturt University. She has worked as a woolclasser and other rural contracting jobs and is also involved in running a family farm at Holbrook.
(02) 6036 3181
Jenn Pryor
Jenn has recently moved to Wodonga and is finishing her Environmental Science degree at CSU, following a couple of decades working in the corporate sector in Sydney. She is also working on HLN’s Refreshing Rivers program.
0425207578
Mark Dodd
I am a proud Aboriginal man from Central Queensland area. My mob is “Jiman” on my Mum’s side (fresh water long neck turtle totem) and “Wadga Wadga” on my Dad’s side (black crow totem).
I have a cross-cultural Bachelor of Arts Degree with majors in Aboriginal studies and Communications. I have worked in a number of professional roles, including engineering/motor mechanics, station hand, painting and decorating and in the public sector for over the past 27 years, working within the three tiers of Government.
I have experience in policy advocacy, program management, project management and community development.
I believe I bring my sound engagement and relationship management skills to complement Landcare projects and to ensure Aboriginal communities have an opportunity to have a voice in nurturing mother earth in parallel with current land management practices. I am a peoples centric person with a social inclusion lens.
Uncle Dozer Atkinson
A proud Bangerang Elder, Uncle Dozer is the director of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Education (ACHE), a family-run business delivering on-Country tours and cultural education programs across the Murray and nearby regions. He’s based on Bangerang Country which stretches from the Ovens River in the east to the Campaspe River in the west, covering ground both north and south of the Murray River and towns including Cobram Barooga, Echuca Moama Corowa and Shepparton.
Uncle Dozer’s work spans land and language, education and ecology, with one clear goal: to share stories that honour the world’s oldest continuous living culture. His deep connection started from learning the stories of Country and the river, carrying on an oral history stretching back tens of thousands of years.
Imogen Hickey
Imogen has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. She has previous experience working in agronomy and soil carbon farming and is passionate about sustainable agriculture and the environment. Imogen has lived in Holbrook for four years and is looking forward to working in the community.