Deb Hailstones

My name is Deb and my role at CRC for National Plant Biosecurity is Program Leader for Diagnostics Research. I am employed by the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and in this role I am the Research Leader, Production Horticulture. This role involves managing 45 staff at eight locations around New South Wales. I am based at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute which is on the outskirts of Sydney. As a researcher, I have been involved in molecular detection and differentation of horticultural pathogens and fruit flies.

I am orginally from England and the thing I miss most is the English country side and extended family.

I live in the Southern Highlands on 26 acres with my husband and menagerie of dogs, horse, chooks, alpacas and fish.

My favourite or ideal holiday destination is New Zealand because of the mountain scenery, walks, friends and wildlife.

In my spare time, I enjoy hobby farming, our animals, yoga and bushwalking.

My favourite movie is Lord of the Rings because it's a faithful telling of a quality and world-changing book.

At the moment I am reading One book, many Brisbanes which is a collection of stories by amateur writers including my sister!

If money was no option I would breed horses and teach yoga.

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is promoting/ensuring equality.

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