James is passionate about connecting people with things they can do to help our future. He 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 organisations by managing fundraising and supporter engagement campaigns on their behalf. James 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.
Azalea grew up in Malaysia and is passionate about creating a climate for effective climate action in Australia as well as being part of such a hope-giving movement. She believes that hope-generating actions can sometimes just be meaningful words exchanged with another person and thus is excited to apply her training in communications in her current role. Azalea brings with her experience in public interest litigation, alternative dispute resolution, client and stakeholder engagement as well as fundraising.
Rose is originally from a small farm on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula. Now based in Melbourne, she hasn't fully adjusted yet to the city life, but she certainly loves the coffee! Rose is currently undertaking a Bachelor in International Relations and Anthropology. She is excited to bring her skills in fundraising to the team as an Engagement Officer at Farmers for Climate Action, and to work in the climate action space as a cause close to her heart. She has worked at a variety of not-for-profits before this, spanning causes from youth solidarity to education equality, and is passionate about using her time and effort to make the world a little better. When she is not at Farmers, you can find her swimming or at her local park with a book.
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.
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.
Charlie lives in North East Victoria after emigrating to Australia from the UK in 2017. In recent years, Charlie has been thoroughly involved in climate activism, engaging with local and federal governments to discuss crucial climate policy. Coming from the Federal electorate of Indi, he has developed a deep appreciation for political issues affecting rural Australians, as well as grassroots movements.
Charlie id studying a Bachelor of Law (honours) and Arts at Monash University, providing him with a fantastic opportunity to see how environmental and legal challenges overlap.
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.
Atienne grew up in Lamington, Queensland, and is passionate about finding positive outcomes for farmers and rural communities whilst creating a more robust and sustainable food system. Atienne has extensive experience in event organising, education, and project management which he brings from 8 years of experience within the creative arts. He comes to FCA having considerable experience with community outreach within the environmental non-for-profit sector.
Atienne has a Masters of International Relations where he studied the intersection between Climate Change, Agriculture, and Politics. He is constantly trying to further his understanding of farming practices and often spends time in Queensland on the family farm. He is currently based in Melbourne.
