Meet the RFCS Project Board

Loretta is a senior executive, recognised for her strategic leadership, expertise in governance, financial stewardship, and her ability to drive organisational growth and community engagement. Currently, serving as Executive Officer for the Victorian Strawberry Growers Association, Loretta leads advocacy efforts, oversees budgets, and drives member engagement strategies. 

Loretta is deeply committed to her local community where she volunteers as Deputy Controller with the State Emergency Service (SES), is an active member of Rotary and serves on the local Municipal emergency Management Planning Committee.

High level involvement in farming, business and community roles have rewarded David with not only a long service history but also deep connections and a sound understanding of rural life.

Overseeing strategic and financial performance as well as managing the very important interaction between employees and stakeholders for more than 30 years are other valuable assets he brings to his board position.

Anita Sutherland is a strategic board member at AgBiz Assist and currently serves as an Agribusiness Relationship Manager at Bendigo Bank. With over 15 years of experience in rural economic development, financial counselling, and marketing, she brings a strong focus on governance, sustainability, and stakeholder engagement.

Anita is committed to strengthening AgBiz Assist’s strategic direction and long-term impact, supporting resilient outcomes for farming communities and regional small businesses across Australia.

After growing up in the Western District and starting working life as a banker in a small country town, Patrick gained experience 25+ years of experience in the Information Technology sector working throughout the APAC region. Life has brought him full circle where he now lives in Shepparton and is keen to bring his passion for technology innovation to assist the rural communities.

He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and brings a wide range of business and technology skills to the board.

Fiona farms with her family in the Rennie area north of Mulwala. They are broadacre, dryland grain growers also operating a prime lamb enterprise.

Fiona is a life-long learner with a background in applied science and education. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the NFF Diversity in Ag Leadership Program, the Grains Social Leadership Program and most recently, the Farmers for Climate Action Climate Smart Agriculture Scholarship. Fiona is the Chair of Riverine Plains Farming Systems Group, is currently serving on the Grain Growers National Policy Group and is very involved in her local community. She is passionate about building skills and capacity within rural communities.

A Chartered Accountant and partner in Belmores Accounting Yarrawonga, Chris provides a range of accounting and business advisory services to farming and regional businesses in North East Victoria and South West NSW. He was the inaugural treasurer of North East Agcare Rural Financial Counselling Service. Chris has a broad acre farming background and is involved in many community organisations.

Lachlan is a senior agribusiness manager dedicated to delivering best outcomes for primary producers and post farm gate businesses. He holds a Bachelor of Agribusiness from the University of New England and a Master of Agribusiness from Marcus Oldham, and is involved in agricultural advisory groups and committees around industry innovation.

Lachlan’s passion for agriculture comes from his upbringing, influenced by family farming businesses, and is sustained through his ongoing work in the agribusiness sector. 

Chartered Accountant with over 13 years of experience supporting small to medium enterprises, particularly in the agricultural sector. As a Director at Belmores, he specializes in digital transformation, governance, and strategic advisory. Raised on a farm, Ben is passionate about rural communities and actively contributes through leadership roles in local organizations.

His expertise spans financial solutions, IT implementation, and social enterprise, aligning with his commitment to regional economic and social wellbeing.

Stephen spent 30 years as a dairy farmer including 9 years as secretary of the local Landcare group and 17 years on the Board of an agricultural co-operative. He now lives in Tatura and runs a retail business while continuing a long history of community involvement as Chair of GV Agcare and representing the Goulburn Valley on the Board of AgBiz Assist.