Our Team

Ricegrowers' Association is serviced by a small team comprising of the Executive Director, Water Policy Manager, Policy and Project Manager, Communications and Membership Manager, Office Manager and Leadership Program and Events Manager. The Executive Director is also responsible for the management of external projects, including Landcare.  Read more about our team below.

GRAEME KRUGER
Executive Director

[email protected] - 0467 661 655
Graeme took over the position of Executive Director in 2016.

Graeme is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a post graduate qualification in conservation management with extensive General Management and Governance experience ranging across, operations, marketing & sales, project and people management. His work history has spanned National Park Management, Marketing, Property and the Development sectors. He is well versed with working in competitive commercial environments through to membership and volunteer based organisations in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Graeme is also chairman of two large body corporates in New Zealand representing property interests for approximately 120 owners.

Graeme's philosophy.

 

CARMEL CRISTOFARO
Office Manager
[email protected] - 02 6953 0433
Carmel joined the RGA in 2014 as the Office Manager.

Prior to commencing with RGA, Carmel worked in a range of administrative roles and most recently worked as the Office Manager for GetSet Inc in Leeton for over four years.

Carmel currently holds a Certificate IV in Business & Bookkeeping & Financial Skills Certificate among others.


 

PIP CONNOLLY
Communications Manager
[email protected] - 0488 071 165
Pip joined the RGA in October 2022 as Communications Manager.

Previously Pip was the Marketing & Promotions Coordinator for Visit Griffith, the Griffith City Council tourism initiative. In addition to this she has a strong background in the wine industry, having worked with the Endeavour Group, Riverina Winemakers’ Association and Casella Family Brands.

Pip holds a Bachelor of Industrial Design and a Graduate Diploma in Project Management.

Pip is passionate about the agriculture industry and is excited to be a part of the Australian rice industry.


NEIL BULL
Policy and Project Manager
[email protected] - 0428 603 557
Neil joined the RGA in 2008 as the Murray Regional Coordinator for the Environmental Champions Program and since that time has worked on a range of projects including the On Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program and the Environmental Champions Program. Today Neil manages a range of Environmental Projects for the RGA, based out of Deniliquin.

Prior to commencing his tenure with the RGA Neil owned and operated irrigation and dryland farm businesses in the Deniliquin area, his farm management involved the implementation of sustainable land management practices and biodiversity enhancement projects.

Neil holds an Advanced Diploma of Agriculture and has training in Project Management and Facilitation.

 

 

LINDA CHRISTESEN
Water Policy Manager

[email protected]
Linda joined the RGA as Acting Policy Manager in July 2021 before joining the RGA permanently in February 2022.

 

Linda has extensive experience in the water and public policy space, having worked in water for the Victorian government for many years, and having more recently worked as Water Policy Manager for Murray Irrigation.

 

 

AINSLEY MASSINA (One day a week)
Leadership Program and Events Manager
[email protected] - 0428 859 214
Ainsley joined the RGA in 2018 in the role of Leadership Program Coordinator. 

Ainsley has a Bachelor of Management and had extensive experience in Human Resources and Learning and Development. Previously Ainsley has worked with several organisations in Human Resources including; Murray Irrigation Ltd, PGG Wrightsons in New Zealand and the Australian Football League. 

Ainsley is a rice grower with her husband and 3 children west of Jerilderie and is heavily involved with the local community through school and sporting groups.

 

 

 

JANET MANZIN (Part time)
Local Landcare Coordinator 
[email protected]
Janet joined RGA in 2021 as acting Landcare Coordinator, covering a maternity leave position in the Deniliquin Office. Janet’s role is supported by the Local Landcare Co-ordinators Initiative funded by the Australian Governments National Landcare program and NSW Government and Landcare NSW.

Janet has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) and many years of experience in landholder engagement through her involvement with the implementation of the On Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program (OFIEP) and her work with Murray Irrigation in customer engagement. 

Janet is a rice grower in the Morago area with her husband and three daughters, and is passionate about her local community.