Our Team

Ricegrowers' Association is serviced by a small team comprising the Executive Director, Policy Manager, Environmental Projects Manager, Communications Manager, Communications Officer and Office Manager and Leadership Program Coordinator. The Executive Director is also responsible for the management of external projects, eg Rice Extension, Landcare.  Read more about our team below.

GRAEME KRUGER
Executive Director
gkruger@rga.org.au - 0467 661 655
Graeme took over the position of Executive Director in 2016.

Graeme has a post graduate qualification in conservation management and has extensive General Management and Governance experience ranging across, operations management, marketing & sales management, project management and people management. His work history has spanned National Park Management, Marketing, Property and the Development sectors. He is well versed with working in competitive commercial environments through to membership and volunteer based organisations in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Graeme is currently chairman of large two body corporates and is also on the board of Can Assist in NSW where he is also the Chairman of the Finance and Audit Committee.

Graeme's philosophy.

CARMEL CRISTOFARO
Office Manager
ccristofaro@rga.org.au - 02 6953 0433
Carmel joined the RGA in 2014 as the Office Manager.

Prior to commencing with RGA, Carmel worked in a range of administrative roles and most recently worked as the Office Manager for GetSet Inc in Leeton for over four years.

Carmel currently holds a Certificate IV in Business & Bookkeeping & Financial Skills Certificate among others.

CLAIRE MILLER
Acting Policy Manager
cmiller@rga.org.au
Claire joined the RGA as acting Policy Manager in September 2019.

 She is a specialist in public policy, strategy and communications, with particular expertise in water, climate, agriculture and environment.

 

Claire worked as a journalist on The Age newspaper for more than 20 years, before switching careers as the senior water policy adviser to the then Victorian Water Minister Tim Holding.

 Most recently, she was the policy strategy manager with Dairy Australia for seven years, and now runs an independent consultancy.

 

Claire has a Masters Degree in Environmental Studies, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors course, and a director on the board of the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

 

 

BELINDA LAMBERT
Communications Manager
blambert@rga.org.au - 0488 071 165
Belinda joined the RGA team in 2018.

Belinda has a Bachelor of Science in Computing and extensive experience in the roles of Communication and Change Manager for IBM. Previous experience in Project Management, Resource Management and Quality Assurance has equipped her with a solid grounding in business and stakeholder management.

For the past 3 years Belinda has been involved in cattle farming on the Edward River, and has an interest in farm diversity potential (just add water).

Belinda is a staunch supporter of diversity in the workplace and served on the VicICT for Women board for 3 years and more recently, various community groups in Deniliquin.

NEIL BULL
Environmental Projects Manager
nbull@rga.org.au - 0428 603 557

Neil joined the RGA in 2008 as the Murray Regional Coordinator for the Environmental Champions Program and since that time has worked on a range of projects including the On Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program and the Environmental Champions Program. Today Neil manages a range of Environmental Projects for the RGA.

Prior to commencing his tenure with the RGA Neil owned and operated irrigation and dryland farm businesses in the Deniliquin area, his farm management involved the implementation of sustainable land management practices and biodiversity enhancement projects.

Neil holds an Advanced Diploma of Agriculture and has training in Project Management and Facilitation.

ERIKA HEFFER
Landcare Coordinator /Communications Officer
eheffer@rga.org.au - 0438 719 628

Erika began her employment as Landcare Coordinator hosted by the RGA Environmental Champions Program in 2016 after completing the Rice Industry Graduate Program in 2015.

Erika’s role is supported by the Local Landcare Co-ordinators Initiative funded by the Australian Governments National Landcare program and NSW Government and Landcare NSW.

Erika has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Charles Sturt University and has recently obtained a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

 

AINSLEY MASSINA
Leadership Program Coordinator
amassina@rga.org.au - 0428 859 214

Ainsley joined the RGA in 2018 in the role of Leadership Program Coordinator. 

Ainsley has a Bachelor of Management and had extensive experience in Human Resources and Learning and Development. Previously Ainsley has worked with several organisations in Human Resources including; Murray Irrigation Ltd, PGG Wrightsons in New Zealand and the Australian Football League. 

Ainsley is a rice grower with her husband and 3 children west of Jerilderie and is heavily involved with the local community through school and sporting groups.

RACHEL KELLY  (Leave until march 2020)
Policy Manager
rkelly@rga.org.au - 0437 767 289
Rachel joined the RGA in 2015 in the role of Policy Manager.

Rachel has a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (Business Management) from the University of Canberra. Rachel is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, which she completed in October 2018.

Prior to commencing with the RGA, Rachel practiced law with a local Echuca law firm, working predominantly within the areas of agribusiness, water law and litigation. Rachel’s most recent role was with Murray Irrigation, where she held the role of Legal Officer for the PIIOP project. These positions have enabled Rachel to develop a thorough understanding of the complex political and regulatory frameworks influencing the rice industry.