Jane Bennett

Chair

Jane lives in Relbia , Tasmania with her partner Rick Wyllie and son Griffin. At the time of undertaking her Nuffield Scholarship in 2008, Jane was the founding Managing Director of a family-owned Tasmanian farm based dairy processing business Ashgrove Cheese.

Jane has extensive governance experience having served as a Non-Executive Director on a range of companies including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), CSIRO, Australian Farm Institute and Food Innovation Australia Ltd. Currently Jane Chairs the Board of Hop Products Australia and serves as a Non-Executive Director on Grain Growers Ltd and Sustainable Timber Tasmania.

Jane has served on the Board of Nuffield for the past 11 years and looks forward to continuing to work with the Board, Management, and the Nuffield Alumni to fulfil our Charitable Purpose to advance sustainable and profitable primary production in Australia through delivery of an outstanding international scholarship experience that builds a prestigious agricultural network.

Board

Don Madden

Don Madden, a 2010 Nuffield Scholar, is co-owner and director of Smithfield Cattle Company, overseeing lot feeding, exports, logistics, and property management. A former QLD State Chair, he has shaped industry strategy through ALFA and pioneered the feedlot sector’s first Trainee Manager program.

Guy Hebblewhite

Guy Hebblewhite, a 2013 Nuffield Scholar, joined the Nuffield Australia Board in 2024. He previously chaired Nuffield NSW and helped deliver the 2022 Tamworth National Conference. Formerly in chicken meat and Wagyu production, he is now developing an agri-marketplace and has held leadership roles in AgriFutures and ACGC.

Kara Knudsen

Kara Knudsen, a 2013 Nuffield Scholar from Mundubbera, QLD, runs a beef enterprise and is passionate about Australian agriculture. She has held key Nuffield volunteer roles in sponsorship, strategy, and events. Kara has shaped the beef industry through policy work, industry reviews, and leadership programs like AICD and WCF Agribusiness.

Johanna Tomlinson

Johanna Tomlinson, a 2019 Nuffield Scholar from WA’s South Coast, joined the Nuffield Board in 2024. She runs a beef enterprise with her husband and has held leadership roles in NRM, biosphere initiatives, and regional investment. A graduate of AICD and Rabobank EDP, she is dedicated to strengthening regional communities.

Nigel Corish

Nigel Corish, a 2014 Nuffield Scholar from Goondiwindi, QLD, joined the Nuffield Board in 2023. As MD of New Leaf Ag, he farms 4,500ha of cotton, grains, and pulses. A graduate of AICD, he is Vice Chair of Grain Growers Ltd, a director of Cotton Seed Distributors, and Chair of Ability Agriculture.

Donald McGauchie, AO

Donald McGauchie was appointed to the Nuffield Board in 2013 as a special skills external Director. He is Chairman of Nufarm Limited, AACo, and AWTA, with past roles including Chairman of Telstra and the Victorian Rural Finance Corporation. A former NFF President and Reserve Bank Board member, he was named Rabobank Agribusiness Leader of the Year in 2001 and awarded the Centenary Medal. In 2004, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.