About Us

Grain Producers SA is the peak industry body representing 4,500 grain farms in South Australia.

About Us

Grain Producers SA is the peak industry body representing the 4,500 grain farming businesses in South Australia.

South Australian growers plant more than 4 million hectares of cereals, pulses and oilseeds annually.

SA produces an average of 7.9 million tonnes of grain each year, which contributes more than $4 billion to Australia’s gross food revenue. This is made possible by grain growing businesses and farming communities across the state.

 

POLICIES & PROJECTS

GPSA develops and implements policies and projects that promote the economic and environmental sustainability of South Australian grain growing businesses. We represent the interests of growers through:

  • Advocacy. GPSA advocates for SA producers on grain-related issues beyond the farm gate, representing SA’s 4,500 grain producing businesses to industry and government decision-makers.
  • Information. GPSA informs industry stakeholders of the policies we believe will promote the economic and environmental sustainability of the grain industry.
  • Industry Development. GPSA informs grain producers on matters of importance to their business and champions the contribution our industry makes to the South Australian community by engaging positively with the public.

For SA grain growers, GPSA is your opportunity to influence the policies and projects that impact you and the people who represent you beyond the farm gate.

Established in 2012

Grain Producers SA was established in March 2012. It was formed out of the need for an organised and well-funded lobby group to be a voice for South Australian grain growers beyond the farm gate. GPSA succeeded the former South Australian Farmers’ Federation Grains Council as the peak representative body for the state’s grain producers.

GPSA is one of six peak commodity groups in South Australia. These groups feed into an overarching policy council called Primary Producers SA (PPSA), which in-turn holds membership of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) on behalf of South Australia.

At a national level, GPSA is a member of the peak body Grain Producers Australia (GPA), while it works closely with GrainGrowers Limited on matters relevant to South Australian producers.

Our Direction 2020-2021

GPSA’s purpose, objectives and direction for 2020-21 is outlined in Working to Improve the Profitability and Sustainability of SA Grain Producers – Our Direction 2020-21. This document is designed to provide South Australian growers with a clear understanding of GPSA’s purpose and to provide insight into the work we do to ensure the future profitability and sustainability of the grain industry in South Australia.

For SA grain growers, GPSA is your opportunity to influence the policies and projects that impact you and the people who represent you beyond the farm gate.

Download PDF here

Directors

GPSA Directors bring skills, knowledge and experience from many parts of the grains industry, including crop production, research, merchandising, marketing, storage, transport and logistics. The Board determines GPSA policy in consultation with grain growers, farming systems groups and other grains industry bodies. GPSA Directors participate in regular regional and state forums to gain input from all sectors of the industry.

The Board is comprised of seven non-executive directors and its members can also appoint up to two independent directors, as outlined in GPSA’s Constitution.

John Gladigau

John Gladigau

Chair

Alawoona
John is a third generation farmer in the Northern Mallee region of SA and was a partner in Bulla Burra, a collaborative farm which crops 8,500ha annually to cereals and legumes until 2023. He is also the Creative Director at ifarmwell and works with a number of mental health initiatives across South Australia including Vocal Locals. John is also a 2007 Nuffield Scholar and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

 

Peta Willmott

Peta Willmott

Director & Vice Chair

Koongawa
Peta and husband Dean farm between Kimba and Wudinna. She is a well-respected member of the grains industry and regional community and has an enormous wealth of experience and expertise, particularly in the area of governance. Peta is also president of the Kimba Country Education Foundation.

 

 

Nick Hillier

Nick Hillier

Director

Hynam
Nick has operated a mixed family farming business in the South East for nearly 30 years. The Hillier farm utilises irrigation and runs 2,000 Merino ewes and a prime lamb enterprise. With tertiary qualifications in agricultural science and his own independent consulting business, Nick brings technical skills and expertise in RD&E activities, and agricultural chemical regulation.

 

Chelly Litster

Chelly Litster

Director

Minlaton

Chelly is a broadacre farmer with her husband based in Curramulka on the Yorke Peninsula. She is a seasoned business director with a strong focus on capability, governance and operations. Chelly has a breadth of experience working in and/or managing and operating companies in a multitude of environments such as engineering, health, energy, legal, banking and manufacturing both here in Australia and the UK. Chelly has a Masters in Business Management from Adelaide Uni and a Bachelor of Business (Strategic HR) from the University of Southern Queensland.

 

Dylon Kay

Dylon Kay

Director

Lock

Dylon is a fifth generation broadacre and livestock farmer in Lock on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula, farming with his family and two brothers. Experiencing the millennium drought first-hand promoted a focus on reliance and sustainability in agriculture. This has guided Dylon to share his experiences and strive to continue to improve the agriculture industry across South Australia.

 

 

 

James Heaslip

James Heaslip

Director

Appila
As a sixth-generation farmer, James is passionate about the agricultural industry and the opportunities it provides. Through his pathway into the agricultural industry he has developed a broad range of professional and technical skills, which will be highly relevant to serving on the GPSA board. James brings sound financial literacy through three years spent working as an external auditor and attaining a Diploma in Chartered Accountancy.

 

 

Deanna Paech

Deanna Paech

Director

Murraylands
Deanna and her husband Steen Paech operate a 4500ha grain and sheep property in SA’s Murraylands region. Her career started as a journalist, writing for the former Fairfax Rural Weeklies across Australia, before becoming editor of Stock Journal. Deanna is the Managing Director of AgCommunicators, a consultancy which coordinates communication, marketing and event projects for rural and regional Australia, based in Adelaide.

Dave McKeon

Dave McKeon

Independent Director

Dave McKeon is a skilled agribusiness professional with proven track record in both organisational and industry leadership.

Dave is Head of Thomas Elder Sustainable Agriculture at Elders Ltd, where he leads innovation activities across major themes such as AgTech, Carbon Farming, Research and Extension.

Staff

The GPSA team is led by the Chief Executive Officer and works to implement the Board’s strategic direction and deliver measurable outputs from GPSA’s investments. Staff members bring a range of skills and experience in project work, commercial operations, compliance, finance, stakeholder relations, communication and administration.

Brad Perry

Brad Perry

Chief Executive Officer

Brad started with GPSA in January 2022. He has experience in working with farmers through roles in politics and journalism, recently working as Senior Adviser to South Australia’s past two Ministers for Primary Industries and Regional Development, as well as a newspaper editor and journalist in regional South Australia. Brad has been very close to industry policy and decision-making over a number of years, which means he has a deep understanding of the key issues, from grassroots right through to broader-scale agribusiness and sector-wide issues.

Shane Gale

Shane Gale

Regional Field Officer

Shane brings experience in supply chain, procurement, logistics and transport to GPSA. His previous roles include consulting to mineral exploration and mining, transport and logistics companies and managing operations. He worked with former South Australian companies SA Cooperative Bulk Handling, Ausbulk and ABB Grain as transport manager for nearly 10 years before managing national logistics for Cheetham Salt, part of the Ridley Corporation.

Rowan Thomas

Policy and Communications Manager

Rowan is an experienced policy and communications expert, having held senior roles in economic, trade and investment policy in State Government, most recently as Senior Advisor for the Minister for Trade and Investment. Rowan was born and raised on a mixed farming property near Wolseley in the South East.

Kavya Manjanna

Policy and Projects Manager

Kavya has joined GPSA, with a strong focus on policy and project management. Her diverse experience with more than seven years including IT and non-profit organisation, working with corporate and government entities across different global locations have endowed her with a wealth of experience, contributing invaluable perspectives to her repertoire.

Kavya possesses a versatile skill set encompassing software engineering, data science, business analysis, project management, Ag-Tech, circular economy, and policy advocacy. Her resolute commitment lies in leveraging these competencies to drive advancements within the Grain Industry in South Australia and across the nation. With a keen inclination towards research and development, Kavya holds a high distinction in both of her Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Global Project Management. She also holds the title of Accredited Australian Certified Economic Developer (ACEcD).”

Careers

Job opportunity – Office Manager

The Office Manager will organise and coordinate office administration and procedures, to ensure organisational effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. The Office Manager reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for streamlining administrative procedures, inventory control, event organisation and work, health and safety protocols.

The Office Manager is an energetic professional who has the ability to multi-task and think quick on their feet. Experienced in handling a wide range of administrative duties and executive support-related tasks and able to work independently with little or no supervision or with the team. This role fits someone who is well organised, flexible, and enjoys the administrative challenges of supporting a small but dedicated team of staff.

Office manager responsibilities:

  • Point person for maintenance, mailing, shipping, supplies, equipment and errands
  • Work with the CEO to maintain office HR policies as necessary
  • Organise office operations and procedures
  • Coordinate with IT department on all office equipment
  • Manage relationships with vendors, service providers, and landlord, working with the Finance Officer to ensure that all items are invoiced and paid on time
  • Manage contract and price negotiations with office vendors, service providers, and office lease
  • Assist where needed in booking appointments/travel for the CEO, staff and Board Directors
  • Responsible for managing office services by ensuring office operations and procedures are organised, correspondences are controlled, filing systems are designed, supply requisitions are reviewed and approved, and that clerical functions are properly assigned and monitored
  • Establish a historical reference for the office by outlining procedures for protection, retention, record disposal, retrieval, and staff transfers
  • Responsible for developing and implementing office policies by setting up procedures and standards to guide the operation of the office
  • Plan and execute GPSA events such as Field Day Tent Hubs and the AGM, support the organisation of Growing SA and organise industry webinars/forums
  • Design and implement filing systems
  • Ensure filing systems are maintained and current
  • Establish and monitor procedures for record-keeping
  • Ensure security, integrity, and confidentiality of data
  • Design and implement office policies and procedures
  • Oversee adherence to office policies and procedures
  • Analyse and monitor internal processes

Office manager requirements:

  • Proven office management, administrative, or assistant experience
  • Knowledge of office management responsibilities, systems, and procedures
  • Excellent time management skills and ability to multitask and prioritise work
  • Attention to detail and problem solving-skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong organisational and planning skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office
  • Knowledge of accounting, data, and administrative management practices and procedures
  • Knowledge of clerical practices and procedures
  • Knowledge of human resources management practices and procedures
  • Knowledge of business and management principles
  • Computer skills and knowledge of office software packages

Salary range: $70k to $80k plus superannuation – depending on experience.

Please forward a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and a copy of your CV, together with the name and contact details of three referees. Your written application should be forwarded to:

ceo@grainproducerssa.com.au by COB Friday, 5 January 2024.