Role of BBIFMAC
Current Management Committee Members (2011-2012). Elections for 2012-2013 committee will take place at our AGM in November. In order to nomiate yourself or another person, you must hand in a completed nomination form to Julie at the BBIFMAC office.
You can download a nomination form HERE.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the BBIFMAC commitee, you may find this information interesting.
Doug Sockhill - BBIFMAC Chairman
CSR dsockhill@csr.com.au
I have been involved with production in sugar mills since 1983, mainly in the Burdekin and Herbert districts. I have also had a role in environment management at a group level for CSR sugar mills and now Sucrogen. In this environment role, the main aspects have been liasing with DERM on our licensing arrangements and doing internal reports for the mills. I have been involved in doing environmental audits for sugar mills, and have recently finished SHE auditor training. My interest in the environment stems from the perspective that good environment management normally leads to better financial results, it’s a win win.
Gerry MacManus - BBIFMAC Vice Chair
Tracy Jensen - BBIFMAC Treasurer
Burdekin Shire Council tracy.jensen@burdekin.qld.gov.au
I have completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Health and have worked in a variety of Environmental Health positions across Queensland based in Local Government for the past 15 years. I am currently the Manager of Environmental Health at Burdekin Shire Council.
I have been a representative on the Burnett Mary NRM LG NRM advisory committee, Woongarra Marine Park Monitoring and Education Project, and currently Burdekin Dry Tropics Pest Management Steering Group.
Coming from a grazing and cropping background in western and central Queensland, I have always had a keen interest in the environment and in particular trying to help primary producers to improve their practices and gain recognition for the positive changes they are making to their business and in turn the environment.
Con Christofides
I have been in the business of farming sugar cane in the Burdekin since 1991.
Prior to that I was employed on the family farm and have had a long involvement in agriculture in the district.
Over time I have come to appreciate the importance of good environmental stewardship and how it can deliver improved financial and social outcomes and often by making very small changes.
I have a history of involvement in water related projects from both crop production and environmental perspectives and at the present time I am a director of the North Burdekin Water Board.
David Beneke
I come from a farming and grazing background in North Western New South Wales. I attended school and university in the New England district of New South Wales.
My professional career has centred around education. I have been involved in rural education in Northern Australia in practical agricultural education.
Ivan Garrod
Born London 1936 Arrived Bowen 1950 worked on farms tomatoes pumpkins etc and tobacco both in Bowen and Clair 'and Cane in Home Hill Worked at the meat works as a boner in the season and other jobs in the slack season. Owned a charter boat in the 60s charter fishing. master grade1V became a tug skipper in Bowen 1974 worked in Brisbane then back to Bowen meatworks then construction first stage Abbott Point then line boat master and casual mate at Abbott Point.
Stuart McCubbin
I was born on to a cane farm at Buthurra supplying Farleigh mill. My father became a cane inspector at Marian, North Eton, Racecourse, Fairymead, Marian, and Inkerman
where I began farming and married.
After leaving school, I worked at Crebers cane farm; they cut their cane green in 1952 and ever since.
I was reintroduced to trash and Organic Matter in 2000, meeting Elaine Ingham. I went to a number of Organic and Biological farming Courses, also composting course and a Carbon Farming course.
Bill Lucas
I was born in Home Hill in 1934. I was educated at Osborne School outside of Home Hill and Thornburgh College in Charters Towers.
I was apprenticed to be a fitter and turner at Home Hill Engineering Works in 1951. In 1956 I started work on the family cane farm in the Osborne area and purchased it in about 1964. I am now retired and my son runs the cane farm.
I have served on the South Burdekin Water Board for six years until I passed the farm over. I served in executive positions at the Osborne Primary School and the Home Hill High School P & C.
My main interest is in irrigated agriculture and to make sure we can develop the north to its maximum potential.