Meet the AWI Extension NSW staff
The AWI Extension NSW team work in part time roles coordinating network activities.
Meet the AWI Extension NSW Producer Advisory Panel
The AWI Extension NSW Producer Advisory Panel (PAP) provides strategic advice to the project management team and AWI about the direction of the network. The role of the PAP is to provide insights into local issues that exist in their area, which is in turn communicated to the project team, and implemented in the most appropriate course of action. You can get in touch with your local PAP member if you would like to see some activities in your area. Alternatively, contact a member of the AWI Extension NSW team to discuss local extension needs in your area.
Peter McCrabb, PAP Chair
Western Riverina and Pastoral - Booroorban
Based in the south-west pastoral zone of NSW, 70km south-west of Hay, Peter operates a family-run, self-replacing, non-mulesed Merino enterprise across 16,000 hectares. Together with his wife, Lisa, and daughter, Emma, the business joins 5,000 Merino ewes annually, maintaining an all Merino flock. Peter joined the PAP to engage with woolgrowers, assess their needs in extension and ensure that it is delivered. Drawing on a lifetime in the wool industry, along with extensive experience across the wool buying, exporting and processing sectors, he brings valuable industry knowledge, strong networks and practical insight to the panel.
northbundy@activ8.net.au
0429 930 643
Georgia White, PAP Member
Central West - Coolah
Georgia and her brother run a self-replacing dual-purpose Merino flock, a first-cross sheep enterprise and an Angus breeding operation on their family property near Coolah, NSW. Their focus is on breeding low-input, high-output sheep that complement their native pasture systems. Since joining the Producer Advisory Panel in 2020, Georgia has brought fresh energy and a practical perspective to industry challenges. She believes that keeping things simple, focusing on the fundamentals and tackling the "low-hanging fruit" often delivers the best outcomes for both farming businesses and the wider wool industry.
georgia.talbragar@gmail.com
0429 774 540
Nigel Roberts, PAP Member
Central West - Elong Elong
Nigel and his wife, Emma, together with their three children, are located in Central West NSW, between Dubbo and Dunedoo. Their business is centred on Merino sheep, running 7,000–10,000 head across both commercial and Merino/Poll Merino stud enterprises, alongside cropping programs of canola, barley and oats. Nigel is passionate about the opportunities Merino sheep provide through dual income streams and wool's minimal environmental footprint. A University of Sydney Agricultural Science graduate, he joined the Producer Advisory Panel to help shape the future of the wool industry, combining science-based thinking with practical experience to deliver meaningful outcomes for producers.
nigel_roberts@hotmail.com
0439 866 147
Manning Doughty, PAP Member
Western Plains - Nyngan
Manning manages a stud and commercial sheep and cattle grazing operation near Nyngan on the NSW Western Plains, joining 1,200 stud ewes and 10,000 commercial Merino ewes alongside a Poll Shorthorn herd. Prior to this, he spent 10 years working in corporate agriculture around Hay and Deniliquin. Manning joined the Producer Advisory Panel to represent the interests of wool growers in the North-West and to become more involved in collaborating with producers across the industry.
mullengudgerystud@gmail.com
0499 196 934
Barrick Parker, PAP Member
Southern NSW - Muttama
Barrick is the General Manager of Corio Ag, a corporate agriculture business operating across southern NSW. The business runs composite prime lamb enterprises at Cootamundra and Young, alongside a self-replacing Merino flock at Goulburn. He joined the Producer Advisory Panel as an opportunity to network with like-minded producers from across the state while helping deliver relevant programs and tools for wool growers. Barrick values the collaborative nature of the panel and appreciates being part of a group that is willing to challenge ideas, share experiences and work together to create positive outcomes for the broader wool industry.
parkerbarrick@gmail.com
0455 537 487
Jamie Swales, PAP Member
New England - Torryburn
Jamie and his wife, Angela, along with their family and team, run a self-replacing Merino wool enterprise on "Woodlands", a 4,200-hectare property west of Uralla in northern NSW. Their flock averages 16-micron wool, with around 5,000 ewes joined annually, seasonal conditions permitting, while retaining wethers as wool growers. Jamie is passionate about Merino sheep, their farming business and its heritage, and strongly believes in the future of the Australian wool industry. He joined the Producer Advisory Panel to encourage greater producer engagement with AWI Extension services, recognising the important role they play in improving productivity and profitability.
jamie.swales71@gmail.com
0428 789 185
Miranda McGufficke, PAP Member
Monaro - Cooma
Home for Miranda is the mighty Monaro - brisk mornings, treeless plains, where Merinos are plentiful and wool runs deep. Her family operates a commercial Merino and seedstock enterprise near Cooma, NSW, where she works closely alongside them in the day-to-day operation while leading data strategy and genomic analysis. Her interests centre on profitable production systems, genomic measurement and supporting the next generation of wool growers. Through the Producer Advisory Panel, Miranda is eager to learn, collaborate and contribute to proactive solutions that address both the challenges and opportunities facing the Australian wool industry.
0457 190 366
Emily King, Australian Wool Innovation
National Extension Manager
Dubbo NSW
emily.king@wool.com
0437 523 036
