CRC for Plant Biosecurity - profile

John Sandow

CRICHTONA — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:25:09 +0000

I have enjoyed a diverse and highly rewarding career in agriculture based in Perth, Brisbane and Canberra. I retired from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) in 2007 after five years as the Crop Protection Program Manager. I have since maintained a link with many of my former colleagues through my role as a Director of the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB) and also to a lesser extent through some contract work. The lion’s share of my time is now taken up maintaining a 10 acre property in the NSW hinterland of the ACT, and local community involvement.

I am originally from Melbourne and the thing I miss most is the hectic social life that comes with living in a big city surrounded by one’s life-long friends. At least, I used to miss it – I often wonder whether I would really enjoy being that time-poor now?

Living near Canberra is a delight. I love all the seasons; but especially in Spring and Autumn I find myself driving past scenes that, were I in another country, I would pull over and take a photograph. We take it all for granted.

My favourite or ideal holiday destination is Europe. My wife Chris and I love the history, the architecture, the music, the gardens... Put us on a river vessel almost anywhere in Europe and we’ll happily seek out the antique shops at every port of call.

In my spare time I fix things. There is a lovely saying attributed to William Morris: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” To this philosophy I would add; “and restore it to perfect working order”.

My favourite movie is probably languishing somewhere among the countless movies that I have never seen. When I do go to see a movie, it is usually because I expect to be enlightened by it. I enjoyed The King’s Speech, because I knew very little about King George VI… (one of the downsides of a 100% science focused education.)

At the moment I am reading “The Geology of Australia” by David Johnson. I am a closet geologist.

If money was no object, I would do exactly as I am doing now.

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is being a tower of strength in any emergency. Regrettably this will not happen, so I shall have to settle for having a keen sense of humour.

What I find most valuable about being a Board Member is maintaining a connection with colleagues, technologies and trends in the agricultural sphere, and then applying the experience I have gained from my roles in science and commerce, both private and public. I believe that the CRC Board collectively continues to play a crucial supportive role in management’s ability to sustain the CRCNPB as one of our most effective Cooperative Research Centres.

Sama Low-Choy

VANMEURSA — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:32:24 +0000

My name is Sama Low-Choy and my role at CRC for National Plant Biosecurity is to strategically support statistical work and help build capacity for statistics, on CRC projects.

I grew up in Darwin and the thing I miss the most is being surrounded by wildlife (and insects!)

Living in Redlands, just outside Brisbane, means we can have a backyard, and be within five minutes of a 'beach', friends, volleyball and childcare.

My favourite or ideal holiday destination is anywhere, as long as it’s with family/friends and has outdoor activities, and perhaps music, wine-tasting, and relaxing.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two year old, playing volleyball, reading and listening to music.

My favourite movies currently suit kids as well as grown-ups like Wall-E, Toy Story and Hoodwinked because we don’t get to watch many other types of movies at the moment! However, I enjoy watching the 'SeaChange' series or international classics like 'Weeping Camel', 'Genghis Blues', and 'Man, Woman, Drink, Eat'.

At the moment I am reading 'Bayesian Epistemology' by Luc Bovens and Steve Hartmann, 'Biostatistics: a Bayesian Introduction' by George Woodworth, 'The Last Chinese Chef' and 'A Cup of Light' by Nicole Mones, and 'Peek-a-Poo' by Guido Van Genechten.

If money was no option, do something useful like buy up some land for biodiversity conservation or set up a town in the outback which produces renewable energy (technology and energy) and hosts lots of internet companies (location neutral).

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is doing good and sometimes useful things!

Cain Roberts

VANMEURSA — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:33:17 +0000

My name is Cain and my role at the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity is the Delivery and Adoption Officer. This role involves responsibility for the CRC's Delivery and Adoption Program, a variety of delivery activities across the research portfolio and undertaking commercialisation of CRC research.

I am originally from Melbourne and the things I miss the most are good coffee, quirky bars and going to see my beloved Cats play real football!

Living in Canberra is always ‘interesting'. Is that a diplomatic enough response?

My favourite or ideal holiday destination would be travelling the Silk Road because it weaves its way through some fascinating countries and cultures and is still relatively unspoilt by mass tourism.

In my spare time, I enjoy having a drink (or three), playing squash and spending time in the Canberra Airport departure lounge.

My favourite movie is Silence of the Lambs because I still find it very frightening!

At the moment I am reading The Great Gatsby.

If money was no option, I would spend half the year doing development work and the other half living in a big house somewhere in Europe.

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is fairness and my unyielding dedication to all things Melbourne.

Cain Roberts

VANMEURSA — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:00:23 +0000

My name is Cain and my role at the CRC for National Plant Biosecurity is the Delivery and Adoption Officer. This role involves responsibility for the CRC's Delivery and Adoption Program, a variety of delivery activities across the research portfolio and undertaking commercialisation of CRC research.

I am originally from Melbourne and the things I miss the most are good coffee, quirky bars and going to see my beloved Cats play real football!

Living in Canberra is always ‘interesting'. Is that a diplomatic enough response?

My favourite or ideal holiday destination would be travelling the Silk Road because it weaves its way through some fascinating countries and cultures and is still relatively unspoilt by mass tourism.

In my spare time, I enjoy having a drink (or three), playing squash and spending time in the Canberra Airport departure lounge.

My favourite movie is Silence of the Lambs because I still find it very frightening!

At the moment I am reading The Great Gatsby.

If money was no option, I would spend half the year doing development work and the other half living in a big house somewhere in Europe.

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is fairness and my unyielding dedication to all things Melbourne.

Melanie Hay

K.Scott — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:33:38 +0000

My name is Melanie Hay and my role at CRC for National Plant Biosecurity is Education Officer.

I am originally from Atherton, Queensland and the thing I miss the most is the warm tropical rain.

Living in Canberra is fantastic. I love that shops are open on weekends, that there is more than one café and that you can play sports other than netball or hockey.

My favourite or ideal holiday destination is a tropical island because I love to relax in the sun.

In my spare time, I enjoy playing sport or reading.

My favourite movie is any action or sci-fi movie because there's nothing better than watching a good fight scene - especially if it involves an alien.

At the moment I am reading spy books - Colin Forbes and Alistair Maclean.

If money was no option, I would buy a helicopter or small plane and learn to fly.

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is getting stuff done... eventually.

Back to The Leaflet.

Carla Tadich

K.Scott — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:17:04 +0000

My name is Carla Tadich and my role at CRC for National Plant Biosecurity is Project Officer.

I am originally from Melbourne and the thing I miss the most is great coffee.

Living in Canberra is like living in a large country town.

My favourite or ideal holiday destination is the world, because I would love to visit every country.

In my spare time, I enjoy relaxing, watching films and eating tasty food.

My favourite movie is I can't remember because there are so many great films.

At the moment I am reading The power of now by Eckhart Tolle.

If money was no option, I would make the world greener.

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is not taking myself too seriously and enjoying every day.