About Riverine Plains

Who are we?

Riverine Plains Inc is a not for profit, farming systems research and extension organisation that services cropping and mixed farmers in north east Victoria and southern NSW.

We have a membership base of over 315 farming families spread across a wide geographical area. Our members farm as far north as Lockhart and Henty in NSW and as far south as Euroa and Shepparton in Victoria. The majority of our members are dryland farmers though a number also have access to irrigation.

The geographical area we service is known as the Riverine Plain, and it is from this that the group takes its name.

What we do

Riverine Plains Inc was established in 1999 as a way to improve the productivity of crop production systems on the duplex, acid soils of northeast Victoria and southern NSW. Improving productivity can only be achieved with good quality information, and one of our greatest strengths is providing timely information to our members.

Riverine Plains hosts numerous field events, seminars and discussion groups throughout the year (see our events page). Riverine Plains Inc also undertakes research projects on behalf of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and the results are published and communicated to group members and the public. We aim to conduct research and extension which addresses the challenges and issues faced by our membership, either by our own trial work or through our involvement with other researchers.
Riverine Plains Inc publishes a regular newsletter and provides an ‘in-season grower bulletin’ service to keep members informed.

Committee

Caption: 2011 Committee Members. Top row, left to right: Barry Membrey, John Bruce, Ben Bailey, Cameron Swann, Andrew Godde. Middle row: Joe Corrigan, David Cook, Denis Tomlinson, Mark Harmer, Evan Ryan. Front row: Fiona Hart, Andrew Russell, Ingrid Inchbold, Dale Grey, Peter White, Jan Davis and Michelle Pardy. Absent: Steven Dore, Allison Glover, David Wolfenden, Janet Walker and Craig Sharam. New photo to come soon.

Riverine Plains Inc is overseen by a voluntary committee of grower and agribusiness representatives, with executive support provided by DPI in Victoria and Industry & Investment in NSW. Riverine Plains Inc also employs one part-time staff member to administer the group and assist the committee where required.

The committee meets bi-monthly. Sub-committees covering Research, Extension, Administration, Sponsorship and Membership ensure the workload is divided amongst committee members while also streamlining the way recommendations are made to the general committee.

Committee Members are:
Chairman: Evan Ryan, Yarrawonga
Immediate Past Chair: Andrew Russell, Browns Plains
Treasurer: Jan Davis, Corowa
Research Subcommittee Chair: David Cook, Pine Lodge
Extensions Subcommittee Chair: John Bruce, Barooga
Administration Subcommittee Chair: Ingrid Inchbold, Yarrawonga
Membership Subcommittee Chair: Steve Dore, Urana
Sponsorship Subcommittee Chair: Peter White, Yarrawonga
Public Officer: Jan Davis, Corowa

Charlotte Aves, Dookie
Ben Bailey, Brocklesby
Andrew Goode, Culcairn
Clare McDonald, Thurgoona
Barry Membrey, Albury
Michelle Pardy, Barooga
Mark Thompson, Seymour
Ian Trevethan, Corowa
David Wolfenden, Rand

Executive Support is provided by

Dale Grey, DPI Victoria, Cobram
Lisa Castleman, NSW DPI, Lockhart
Janet Walker, NSW DPI, Albury

Staff

Fiona Hart, Executive Officer
Allison Glover, Project Officer