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, including Stock and Land, and developed a broad toolkit of skills in strategy, stakeholder engagement and project management during her years at respected consultancy, Currie Communications.
While at Currie, she supported agricultural and environmental clients, including Citrus Australia, Australian Wool Innovation and the Victorian Government. Fiona particularly enjoyed helping University of Queensland scientists publically share their research into issues relating to global change, including renewable energy. Fiona has a PhD in history from the University of Melbourne and recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Australian Catholic University. She has enjoyed returning to agriculture, and directing her research and analytic skills at the promotion of climate action, a cause close to her heart.
While at Currie, she supported agricultural and environmental clients, including Citrus Australia, Australian Wool Innovation and the Victorian Government. Fiona particularly enjoyed helping University of Queensland scientists publically share their research into issues relating to global change, including renewable energy. Fiona has a PhD in history from the University of Melbourne and recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Australian Catholic University. She has enjoyed returning to agriculture, and directing her research and analytic skills at the promotion of climate action, a cause close to her heart.
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.
Ursula lives on a farm in West Gippsland with her partner and their young family.
She spent over 5 years as the Lock the Gate Victorian Coordinator and played a key role in the successful gasfield free campaign which lead to a permanent ban on all unconventional gas mining and fracking in Victoria.
She is passionate about empowering farmers and regional communities to have a leading voice on climate, securing our food & water security and driving ambitious climate change policy.
Siobhan is currently in her final year studying a Bachelor of Agriculture/Business. Throughout her time at university, she has been the President of the RSUS Agricultural Society and an NSW RAS Rural Achiever Finalist. Inspired by the era of agricultural innovation she is witnessing, Siobhan believes this is the most exciting time to be a young woman in agriculture. Through her roles working on the family farm in the South Burnett as well as Ceres Tag and, newly, Queensland State Co-Ordinator for Farmers for Climate Action, her goals for the future include promoting sustainability, innovation and future farming opportunities. Her determination to push the industry benchmark to new heights has her perfectly positioned with an incredible drive to succeed, and a firm focus on what’s next.
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 Campaigns 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.
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.
James grew up in Wagga and has experience in campaigns, communication and fundraising. He was most recently 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, and is currently studying a Masters in Climate Change.
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, and is currently studying a Masters in Climate Change.
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.
Tam was born and raised on pastoral properties in north-west W.A and NSW, and until recently was a sheep farmer in the Wheatbelt of WA. She completed a Bachelors degree in Conservation Science and Animal Biology and recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Climate Policy. She comes to FCA with almost of 20 years experience, having worked in diverse agricultural and environmental roles, in many levels of the private and public sectors within W.A and overseas.
Her passion is bridging the divide between the city and the bush. Supporting farmers in their journey for future sustainability, through having conversations and connecting people with one another, to ensure no one need to face the challenges in agriculture alone. She is motivated every day by her young family, who she hopes will witness a thriving future in Australian agriculture in their lifetime and beyond.
