Board of Directors

The Board’s overarching objectives are to represent and serve the interests of members, guide and monitor the business and affairs of Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Limited, and implement good corporate governance structures consistent with relevant ASX governance principles.

President & Chair - Matt Coleman

Matt is the President and Chairman of Melbourne Royal, elected in 2016, having been a Director since 2011. Matt owns and lives on a commercial dairy farm in Gippsland with his wife Jo. He has an extensive background in government and private enterprise and holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, Master of Science in Agricultural Economics (Marketing) and a Graduate Diploma in Agribusiness. He is also a Board Director of Showgrounds Nominees an Unincorporated Joint Venture (UJV) between the Victorian State Government and Melbourne Royal.

Deputy Chair - Dr Catherine Ainsworth

Catherine has considerable executive and board experience, having held senior management roles in government, agribusiness, pharmaceuticals and specialist equine veterinary practice throughout her career. Catherine is currently Deputy Chair of Harness Racing Victoria and Non-Executive Director of Racing Analytical Services, a member of the Victorian Animal Welfare Advisory Council, a member of the National Association of Testing Authorities Advisory Committee and the former CEO of Pony Club Australia Ltd. Catherine holds both Bachelor and Masters degrees in Veterinary Science, an MBA from the University of Melbourne and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Catherine joined the Board in 2017 and was elected to the role of Deputy Chair in March 2020. Catherine is also both the Chair of the Performance and Culture Board Sub Committee and the Veterinary, Biosecurity, Animal Welfare and Traceability Advisory Group.

Darrin Grimsey

Darrin is Partner with EY’s Infrastructure Advisory team in Melbourne and a leading adviser on capital investment projects in Australia. Darrin has been Partner with EY for 18 years and before that he was Partner at PwC where he worked for 10 years. Darrin graduated in engineering from the University of Nottingham UK and has a Master of Science degree in management from the University of Manchester UK. He is an affiliate member of the CPA. He has 37 years’ experience working in infrastructure, specialising in the delivery of infrastructure projects including commercial, strategic and financial advice, project structuring, risk identification and contract negotiations. Darrin joined as a Director in 2015 and is a Board Director of Showgrounds Nominees an Unincorporated Joint Venture (UJV) between the Victorian State Government and Melbourne Royal.

Noelene King OAM

Noelene operates two farms in South Gippsland breeding Stud Charolais at one and fattening commercial Angus and Hereford at the second. A Life Member of the Berwick and Dandenong Show Societies, which association led to her being elected as a Councillor of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Limited in 1995. She served on various committees and held the position of Cattle Chair for twelve years. Life Membership was awarded for her contribution in 2017. In 2008, Noelene was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to primary industry through the agricultural show movement in Victoria, and as a mentor to youth within the rural sector. Noelene joined the Board of Directors in 2011 and is a member of Melbourne Royal’s Performance and Culture Board Sub-Committee.

Jason Ronald OAM

Jason has a beef cattle property in the Tallarook region in Central Victoria and is President of the VASL Central and Upper Goulburn Group, Past President of the Seymour Agricultural and Pastoral Society and former President of the Pakenham Agricultural & Horticultural Society. In the past, he has worked for the University of Melbourne, Federation University in Ballarat, Federal and State Governments and Qantas. In 2007, Jason was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to the community through a range of social welfare, cultural, political and agricultural organisations. He is a Life Councillor of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria Limited, elected to Council in 1991, and elected as a Director in 2009. Jason is a member of the Performance and Culture Board Sub-Committee, Chairman of the Garryowen Hall of Fame and is a Member of the Heritage Committee.

Dr Peter Hertan

Peter has worked as a senior executive and Director in the Victorian Government including as Head of Sport and Recreation Victoria, Veterans Affairs and the Energy Efficiency Authority. He has a BSc (Hon) degree from Melbourne University, a PhD from Monash University and an MBA from RMIT University. Peter currently works as a consultant supporting Government, sports and community organisations, on strategic planning, governance and major construction projects. He is presently a member of a number of Boards in the community and sport sectors. Peter joined the Board in 2019 and is the Chair of the Audit and Risk Board Sub-Committee.

 

Robert Millar

Robert has a long history of accounting and taxation knowledge and has been a CPA for over 25 years. He is a director and secretary to over 60 companies. His interest in agriculture stems from the family cattle farm at Gruyere in the Yarra Valley region of Victoria. Robert has a deep understanding of the economics of agriculture and its social and economic importance to Victoria and Australia and wants to see its importance grow. Robert was elected to the Board in August 2019 and is a member of the Audit and Risk Board Sub-Committee.

Tina Savona

Tina Savona is an experienced commercial general counsel, heading up the legal function in Australia for leading agricultural business Nutrien Ag Solutions. Tina was the lead counsel for the Australian Cargill Incorporated businesses across the malt, grain and oilseed crush sectors and has also worked at Elders Limited. She commenced her career as a tax lawyer at King and Wood Mallesons. Tina is a member of the Melbourne Royal Audit and Risk Committee, serves on the Board of Governors and Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee for Ivanhoe Grammar School, is a Food + Drink Victoria Corporate Governance Committee member and Non-Executive Director of Food + Drink Victoria. Tina graduated with a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws (with first class honours) from La Trobe University and Master of Laws degree from the University of Melbourne. Tina is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association.

Kate O'Sullivan

Kate is a professional Executive General Manager and CEO with extensive experience managing all aspects of a business. Kate has held both State and National roles in the gambling, wagering and entertainment industry including as the former CEO of the Pegasus Leisure Group (a fully owned subsidiary of the Melbourne Racing Club). Kate has a background in agriculture, growing up on a farm in Seymour, with cropping, wool production and a beef cattle stud. She has an Associate Diploma in Farm Management and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration.

Kate is the Managing Director of a consulting organisation (Portishead Pty Ltd) specialising in executive coaching for women in the corporate sector. Kate is the Chairperson at the Prahran Market Pty Ltd, is a Board Member at the Moonee Valley Racing Club and is a Board Director of the Essendon Football Club and a Member of the Finance, Risk and Integrity Sub-Committee. She is a Council Member of the Marcus Oldham Agriculture College and Melbourne Girls Grammar School Foundation. Kate is a member of Melbourne Royal’s Performance and Culture Board Sub-Committee.