CRC for Plant Biosecurity - staff profile

Marcia Murray

CRICHTONA — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:40:13 +0000

My name is Marcia Murray and my role at CRC for National Plant Biosecurity is Management Accountant.

I am originally from Canberra, Australia.

Living in Curtin, ACT is great, as it’s nice to raise a family (6 year old triplets) with husband Daniel in a central area that has good cycling and running tracks whilst still being close to the rest of Canberra’s happenings.

My favourite or ideal holiday destination is overseas because I enjoy experiencing other cultures. In the past two years I’ve travelled to both Hawaii & Thailand & have loved planning a variety of activities on each holiday. For me, a great holiday includes lots of shopping, fine dining, sightseeing, water sport and a pool or beach to relax by at the end of the day.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, exercise and playing the piano.

My favourite movie is… I don’t really have a particular favourite. I enjoy going to the movies regularly with my husband and also with my children so enjoy most genres.

At the moment I am reading… I am not currently reading anything but do enjoy reading a good mystery.

If money was no option, I would love to take an extended holiday with my family to enjoy the sights of the world in style.

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is being a kind and helpful person.

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Staff Profile - Bill Roberts

CRICHTONA — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:44:14 +0000

My name is Bill Roberts and my role at CRC for National Plant Biosecurity is Principal Scientist.

I am originally from Canberra but I did live in various Australian cities and overseas for almost 20 years before returning.

Living in Canberra is great – a very convenient city with plenty to do and great bike paths.

My favourite or ideal holiday destination is Italy because it is the perfect mix of chaos, culture, a relaxed approach to life and great food.

In my spare time, I enjoy bicycling and making things in metal and wood.

I am not a great movie fan so I don’t have a favourite.

At the moment I am reading the biography of Steve Jobs – what a bastard but he was brilliant!

If money was no option, I would promote world peace – well what else is there!

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is an ability to get along with everyone.

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Max Knobel - Communications Manager

CRICHTONA — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:26:48 +0000

My name is Max Knobel and my role at CRC for National Plant Biosecurity is the Communications Manager.

I am originally from the UK (but please don’t hold that against me) and the thing I miss the most is, apart from my family and friends, the British pubs as they have their own distinctive feel and atmosphere.

Living in Murrumbateman is very peaceful and it has wonderful big night skies due to the lack of light pollution. If you don’t know where Murrumbateman is, it’s a small village about 40mins from Canberra CBD and has about a dozen wineries - of course I try and support the local industry as much as I can!

My favourite or ideal holiday destination is either a ski resort overseas because the runs in Australia are too short and overcrowded, or a touring holiday where I can combine something cultural with some fine eating, sight-seeing and shopping. However, it must be a holiday I’ve planned and booked myself as I’m not into organised package tours.

In my spare time, I enjoy trading the financial markets, in particular, currency markets. Enjoy is actually an understatement. My way of relaxing in the evenings is analysing charts of the major currencies and trading them. It’s not the money aspect that attracts me (although that’s nice, too!), but rather the analysis process and the psychological aspects of trading. I also mentor some newbie traders in the hope I can help them avoid the mistakes I made when I started.

My favourite movie is Slumdog Millionaire because the story is, ultimately, very uplifting and the movie is visually stunning. Having said that, I’m also partial to Chinese epics or anything based on Jane Austen books!

At the moment I am listening to (I don’t have time to read, so hence I listen to audiobooks when I’m driving) The Levity Effect by Adrian Gostick and Scott Christopher which shows the remarkable power of fun and humour in the workplace and that organisations incorporating laughter and fun are more effective and have lower staff turnover. You’ll be glad to know that the CRCNPB staff in Canberra have been following this practice for a while...

If money was no option, I would spend as much time as possible travelling and seeing/doing the things that are still on my long bucket list.

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is my positive nature and joie de vivre. I believe life is for living and should never be viewed as a dress-rehearsal.

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Angela Hagedorn

K.Scott — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 00:01:41 +0000

Hi to everyone and good luck on the Melbourne Cup!

My name is Angela and I took on the Executive Assistant position here way back in March 2010. Lucky me, this was just as the rebid was gearing up so I’ve had quite a baptism of fire.

Being originally from Canberra and still in Canberra, the thing I miss the most is warmth, sunshine, lush green vegetation and water. But, as they say, blood is thicker than warm ocean currents...

'My' (or more correctly, my dogs’) favourite holiday destination is Tomakin on the NSW South coast. Why? For all the things missing above.

In my spare time I am a volunteer dog obedience instructor. I am also ‘raising’ my 16 month old Border Collie, Pepper (a full time job in itself) and older sister, Rosie, who have a full weekly schedule of Flyball, Agility, Obedience and Dances with Dogs. In the remaining 5 minutes of the week I dabble in artistic pursuits including mosaics, jewellery making and pastels.

My favourite movie is simply one I haven’t seen before because I can never watch something twice – life is too short. Having said that I prefer to watch a TV series where you can get to know the characters – Lie to me, CSI, Sherlock Holmes, Bones and Castle are all on the weekly ‘recording’ list (no, I’m not a psychopath, I like the science and deduction!).

At the moment I am reading Plant Biosecurity: Collaborative Research Initiatives (okay, that was just for brownie points). I am an audio book convert (it works with walking dogs) and have several books on the go ranging from interrogation techniques to Alan Dean Foster’s Pip and Flinx adventures in the Humanx Commonwealth.

If money was no option, I would rule the world and make it a better place (at least I’m honest).

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is benevolence (a good trait for Ruler of the World one would think?). Okay, let’s go with humour.

Christine Campbell

VANMEURSA — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 01:08:16 +0000

Christine Campbell recently stepped down as the Executive Chairman of the Twynam Agricultural Group, based in NSW, a position she held for over 10 years. Twynam's agricultural interests are in both dryland and irrigated farming, principally producing beef, wool, cereals, rice and cotton.

Christine has 30 years experience in both financial and corporate management in the Australian agricultural, resource, manufacturing and investment industries and has held numerous industry positions, including with Cotton Australia and the National Farmers’ Federation.

She has been a member of CPA Australia since 1969 and a Fellow since 1990.

I am originally from Sydney and continue to reside in Sydney.

In my spare time, I enjoy outdoor activities, not that I am very good at any particular one, I enjoy long distance walking, kayaking and bike riding in particular.

At the moment I am reading Mao’s Last Dancer

If money (and time) was no option, I would love to travel more, see the world with the locals and enjoy the pleasure of sharing the many beautiful cultures that exist.

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is the ability to influence those around me to reach out and achieve beyond their perceived boundaries.

What I find most valuable about being a Board Member is firstly, we are in a forward thinking environment. We bring together diverse skills and outlooks which enable us to participate as a Group that listens and actions being conscious that the investments we make today should be of value for generations to come.

The CRC is a challenging environment, it has a national unity, bringing together scientists, educators, government and the community to achieve long term solutions to some of the most complex problems to protect the integrity of our crop production and plant life in Australia.

Pat Collins

VANMEURSA — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:34:11 +0000

My name is Pat Collins and my role at CRC for National Plant Biosecurity is Program Leader for the Post-Harvest Integrity Research Program.

I am originally from Sydney and the thing I miss the most is my family, brother and sisters and cousins, and old friends, whom I don’t see as much as I’d like to.

Living in Brisbane is getting more and more hectic but it still has an open, relaxed feeling.

My favourite or ideal holiday destination is either in a natural setting or historical site where I am travelling and learning something. Probably the most beautiful place I have ever been to is Jiu Zhai Gou in western China.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, walking my dog, woodworking, bush walking, gardening (under supervision), a little cycling, reading and I am involved in local Land for Wildlife, Bush Care and wildlife urban solutions.

My favourite movie is The Big Lebowski because it has everything and I can identify with the main characters.

At the moment I am reading Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz.

If money was no option, I would travel a lot more and spend the rest of the time helping to solve environmental problems and alleviating poverty. Finally, I would buy that 18 inch bandsaw I’ve been wanting and a trip to the Antarctic would be nice.

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is making a positive contribution to everything I am involved in.

Kate Scott

VANMEURSA — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:50:28 +0000

My name is Kate Scott and my role at CRC for National Plant Biosecurity is Communications Manager.

I am originally from Melbourne and the thing I miss the most is the Greek fish and chip shops!

Living in Brisbane is a long way from the Canberra office but has a fabulous lifestyle, weather and not as many politicians!

My favourite or ideal holiday destination is almost anywhere in the world because travelling and experiencing other cultures is such an amazing past time.

In my spare time, I enjoy travelling, distance running and supporting the viticulture industry.

My favourite movie is Braveheart because there are men running around the Scottish highlands in kilts!

At the moment I am reading Wild Fire by Nelson De Mille.

If money was no option, I would travel a lot more and also try to save the animals that are having their environments destroyed by the actions of humans – especially the polar bears, pandas and tigers. Unfortunately they are silent sufferers with no voice to speak out.

A quality I would most like to be remembered for is being a fun person to be around.

Photo caption: Kate with her two boys, Guinness (left) and Arthur (right)