At the NHIA Board meeting held following the thirtieth Annual General Meeting of the Association on 30th July 2024, the following Board positions were confirmed as:
- Ms Cathy Bourke – Chairperson
- Mr Nick Brasher – Deputy Chair
- Mr Paul Kenny – InterimTreasurer
- Mr Adam Daniel, Director
- Mr Ronnie Hibma, Director
- Mr Chris Kendall, Director
On behalf of the Board and members we welcome the newly elected Directors Ronnie Hibma and Chris Kendall and look forward to their expertise in the board room.
NHIA Welcomes Cathy Bourke as appointed Chairperson in 2024
The National Herd Improvement Association of Australia (NHIA) is delighted to announce Cathy Bourke as its new Chairperson. Cathy has been a valuable member of the NHIA Board since 2019 and brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this role.
The Chair's Vision for NHIA
Cathy is committed to leading NHIA's role as the industry body that offers comprehensive support, education, training, and stability for all members within the herd improvement industry. She aims to continue encouraging the professionalism of everyone in the industry through the continuation of regional forums and the inclusion of industry speakers.
Promoting Youth and Professionalism
Encouraging young people to join the herd improvement industry is a priority for Cathy. She also believes in challenging current industry professionals to give back by attending industry events and participating with industry organisations. Mentoring, mental health care, and recognising industry achievements through awards are essential aspects of her vision.
Leadership and Accountability
"I believe in NHIA and our community," says Cathy. She highlights the exceptional knowledge and diversity of the board, along with the leadership of CEO Sara Merckel and assistant Karen Eastop, which she believes will ensure accountability. Cathy's extensive industry experience, approachable leadership style, and keen interest in members' ideas are key strengths she brings to her role as Chairperson. Additionally, maintaining a strong financial position for NHIA is a top priority for her.
Engagement and Continuous Learning
Cathy encourages all members to actively engage with NHIA and promote participation in forums across all levels, ensuring that staff in every area of their businesses have a platform for feedback and discussion. She values continuous learning within this small but essential community to foster business growth and social networking. Members are urged to ask questions about all industry areas, such as RGTAG and the beef working group, suggest new working groups, and provide feedback.
Future Planning and Training
Succession planning within businesses is crucial to ensuring future success and providing a suitable lifestyle for all involved. Cathy also invites members to start using NHIA’s LMS training platform, which will continue to evolve with relevant information based on member feedback.
NHIA looks forward to continued growth and success under Cathy Bourke's leadership. Her vision and dedication are expected to bring significant benefits to the herd improvement industry.
Sara Merckel, CEO, describes Cathy as a people person who embodies the member-centric spirit of NHIA. "This is an ideal time for NHIA to welcome new thoughts and ideas from our members," says Sara. "We encourage everyone to get involved in your Association. We look forward to hearing from you."
NHIA Acknowledge the support of its current established working groups:
The Ruminant Trade Genetics Advisory Group (RGTAG)
The Ruminant & Genetics Trade Advisory Group (RGTAG) is a critical entity within NHIA, focusing on advancing the international trade of ruminant genetics to the benefit of the wider industry and members.
NHIA's long-term commitment to the Ruminant Trade Genetics Advisory Group (RGTAG) is a testament to our dedication to the success of Australian genetics on the global stage. RGTAG plays a crucial role in:
- · Representing the industry in setting import and export protocols
- · Advising the government on genetics trade issues
- · Acting as a conduit between the industry and the Department of Agriculture
- · Keeping RGTAG informed of current trade and protocol issues and events
- · Presenting the Australian ruminant genetic industry to international audiences
Without the contributions of the RGTAG, our industry would face significant challenges, including limited industry consultation, a lack of prioritised trade partnerships, and an absence of critical input during essential protocol negotiation stages. RGTAG plays a pivotal role in facilitating practical and effective communication between the government and the industry, significantly influencing Australia's genetic trade landscape.
The RGTAG committee members are:
Chair Person: Penny Welch GAC, TLG
Dairy Ruth Barber GAC, TLG
Embryo Transfer Dom Bayard Global Reproduction Solutions
Dairy, Beef Rob Derksen GAC, TLG
Southern Beef Debbie Mills Holbrook Breeders Australia
Sheep/Goat Michylla Seal Genstock
Beef Caitlin Warner Australian Premier Genetics
Northern Beef Adam Wise Wise Repro
The newly established Beef Working Group exemplifies NHIA’s continued support for sector-specific needs. This group aims to unify the beef industry's voice and address collaborative needs.
The newly established group has three founding pillars:
- · Effective Representation: Strength in collective action, ensuring the beef industry's voice is heard in discussions, negotiations, and decision-making.
· Promoting Awareness: Disseminating crucial information, sharing best practices, and educating stakeholders about industry developments to drive informed decisions and facilitate growth.
· Strong Advocacy: Collaborating with industry organisations and stakeholders to create policies and initiatives that benefit the beef industry.
Chair: Nigel Semmens (ST Genetics)
Organisation Representatives: Fletch Kelly (ABS), Chris McIlroy (AgriGene), Andrew Medhurst (Alta Genetics), Damien Thomson (Genetics Australia), Vaughn Johnston (Semex), Geoff Wood (WWS)
Vet Representative: Ced Wise (Ced Wise AB)
NHIA Board Representation: Nick Brasher (Farmwest), Adam Daniel (NuGenes)
Secretariat: Sara Merckel (NHIA)
We look forward to the work of the NHIA Beef Working Group (NBWG) as their work progresses.
The current Board and CEO, Sara Merckel, extend their gratitude to Mike Rose and Anthony Shelly for their dedicated service, as they retired from their roles at the AGM. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours and look forward to their continued involvement as members.