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 two large 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.
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.
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.
CHARLETON GLENN (Part time) Policy Officer - Productivity and Industry Affairs cglenn@rga.org.au Charleton joined the RGA as Policy Officer in October 2019.