Fiona grew up on a dairy farm in northern Victoria and began reporting on agriculture while still at high school. She honed her writing skills working at regional and agricultural newspapers, Country News in northern Victoria, and Victoria-wide agricultural paper Stock and Land. She developed a broad toolkit of skills in strategy, stakeholder engagement, and project management during her years at Melbourne-based strategy and public relations consultancy, Currie Communications, supporting agricultural, environmental and governmental clients, including the University of Queensland's Global Change Institute, Australian Wool Innovation, and the Victorian Government. She was awarded a PhD in history from the University of Melbourne in 2011, and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Australian Catholic University in 2018.
As Farmers for Climate Action's Deputy Director between 2018 and 2021, Fiona was responsible for assisting the CEO to meet the objectives in Farmers for Climate Action’s strategic plan and operational plan. In particular, Fiona took the lead on the organisation's internal and external communications, operations, and people and culture. Today as CEO of Farmers for Climate Action Fiona is excited to lead 6000-strong farmer-led movement into its next exciting phase.
James grew up in Wagga and has experience in campaigns, communication and fundraising. He was previously an Account Manager and Campaign Facilitator at Community Shapers, where he supported a number of climate groups by managing fundraising and supporter engagement campaigns on their behalf.
James is extremely passionate about climate action - especially where it involves groups affected by the impacts of climate change. He holds a Bachelor of Development Studies and a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from the ANU.
James is extremely passionate about climate action - especially where it involves groups affected by the impacts of climate change. He holds a Bachelor of Development Studies and a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from the ANU.
Peter is a third-generation farmer in south east NSW, growing crops such as canola and wheat, as well as running sheep for wool. Peter is also a member of the Climate Kelpie – a central location for farmers after practical information and tools with which to manage climate change risk and impacts. Peter has an extensive knowledge and first hand experience with the strategies farmers can use to manage and adapt to climate change.
Andy grew up in rural Victoria and has close to a decades experience working with remote Indigenous communities in the Kimberley, Western Australia.
His postgraduate studies in Anthropology have assisted him when advocating for Indigenous children’s rights to a culturally safe education and campaigning for Indigenous communities' wishes to have their Country respected and cared for, ensuring the land and river systems can continue to provide for future generations.
Andy’s previous role was Principal of Yakanarra Community School on Walmajarri Country. Here he developed his passion and skillset in fundraising and campaigning for positive change on social and environmental issues such as forced closures of remote Indigenous communities, funding cuts to Indigenous language teachers, gas fracking on Indigenous land and mass irrigation of the Fitzroy River.
Cam is a communications and engagement professional with experience in designing and executing successful multi-platform campaigns.
Cam was instrumental in Cathy McGowan’s two successful campaigns for the federal seat of Indi and he has worked with a number of advocacy groups.
Cam was instrumental in Cathy McGowan’s two successful campaigns for the federal seat of Indi and he has worked with a number of advocacy groups.
Cam also has experience working for federal parliamentarians and he uses that, along with his extensive knowledge of community based campaigns in his role as Strategy Director at FCA.
Emily is passionate about connecting and empowering farmers to build resilience to, and drive action on, climate change. She is experienced in community organising, campaigning and advocacy, having supported campaigns for a variety of organisations as well as co-founding ANU Intrepid Landcare and Canberra Students for Fair Work. She has a Bachelor of Science (Resource and Environmental Management) as well as a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the ANU. Emily has enjoyed learning from a diverse range of farmers during her time as President of ANU Intrepid Landcare, as well as from her time spent on her partner’s family farm in Jamestown SA. She is currently based in Canberra.
Ellen and her husband live on the family property in the arid lands of South Australia near Lake Eyre. With her family they run cattle and sheep on the pastoral rangelands. Before moving back to the property Ellen worked as a mixed animal veterinarian and was passionate about herd health and helping farmers with their animal health issues. After moving back to the station Ellen completed a masters of sustainable agriculture and a Nuffield agricultural scholarship where she studied the effects of climate change on pastoralism in the arid rangelands. The global travel associated with this scholarship highlighted the fundamental importance of effective policy frameworks in creating efficient and effective agricultural production systems. Ellen hopes to help position agriculture as the solution to mitigating and adapting to climate change and she believes this starts with engaged farmers.
Georgia grew up in northern Victoria and brings 15 years experience in non-profit management, advocacy, campaigns and politics to the role of General Manager at Farmers for Climate Action. As GM, she applies a broad set of skills in strategy development, people & culture, governance, communications, project management and stakeholder engagement. She uses these skills to support our staff, board, and farmer-driven movement to ensure our smooth running and organisational success. Georgia currently splits her time between Melbourne and her small farm near Tallarook in central Victoria, with her partner and young child.
Claire grew up on a mixed cropping and sheep farm near Birchip and has long held a passion for action on climate. Claire completed a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in History and Politics from the University of Melbourne. In early 2020 Claire completed a Juris Doctor at Melbourne Law School. Claire splits her time between Melbourne and the family farm, trying to learn about the business.
Tryphena joins Farmers for Climate Action with over 20 years of experience in office coordination and administration-based roles within the media and marketing industry in Adelaide as well as most recently in the community sector in Canberra.
Most recently Tryphena was the community development manager for a local community centre in Canberra, fulfilling her passion for developing and fostering community.
Based in Canberra, Tryphena loves the family lifestyle and opportunities offered by living in the bush capital.
Most recently Tryphena was the community development manager for a local community centre in Canberra, fulfilling her passion for developing and fostering community.
Based in Canberra, Tryphena loves the family lifestyle and opportunities offered by living in the bush capital.
Sophie is passionate about the intersection between climate science and politics, which has been the focus of her studies. She joins Farmers for Climate Action with experience in grassroots climate advocacy and a deep appreciation for Australian biodiversity
