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.

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.

CRC for Plant Biosecurity - Board member

John Sandow

Christine Campbell