 Jim Osborne - Presiding Member
Jim is a retired businessman who has a wealth of experience in business management, strategic planning and financial and project management. Prior to commencing his appointment on the Board, Jim was the Presiding Member of the South East Catchment Water Management Board.
He believes that the sustainable management of all natural resources is the key to on-going wealth and profitability of the South East region and considers community involvement as crucial in the management of natural resources.
Jim enjoys spending his time in his own backyard or tasting the reds of the Coonawarra wine region. He is often found restoring mid 19th century Australian furniture, which his wife kindly brings home on a regular basis.
 Di Ashby
Di is a farmer on South Taunta, which is due west of Keith and south west of Tintinara, and is well acquainted with the natural resources management issues of dryland salinity, farming within land capability, water resources management and the USE drainage scheme.
Her passion for people, farming and managing natural resources for the very long term has lead Di to serve on the Board. She continues her deep involvement in programs in the upper south east, such as land and water management planning, water allocation planning and implementation of on-ground initiatives.
Di's favourite places alternates between the sea air of Robe, pursuing golf balls on the beautiful golf courses of the upper South East and spending time with her children and their children in the region and in Western Australia.
 Pip Rasenberg
Pip Rasenberg is a property manager who has spent her entire life farming. She has also worked extensively in animal health and was involved in the second live shipment of Japanese Wagyu’s into Australia, and ran many embryo transfer programs.
A lifelong interest in the environment with the everyday practicalities of farming life has also generated a special interest in the management of natural resources, including significant tracts of wetlands. Whether in an effort to reduce salinity, revegetate degraded land and encourage native flora and fauna, the management of natural resources is an issue that has been a high priority for her for many years.
Pip has spent a significant amount of time along the Coorong fishing with family and friends and lists this area along with Parrakie Wetlands as her favourite places to visit in the region.
On the weekend, She is usually found either working on their property or enjoying the pristine environment at Parrakie Wetlands. Pip also admits she can be found dreaming of being in either Queensland or Canada with her children and grandchildren.
 Chris Johnson
Chris is a partner in the family farming enterprise with her grandsons the fifth generation of her family to be raised on the farm. As a founding member of the South East Natural Resource Consultative Committee (SENRCC) and a member of the first South Australian Natural Resource Management Council, she has always had an interest in natural resources management and strongly believes that it is vital to ensure future generations can continue to farm the land.
Chris describes her favourite place as her own farm near Lucindale and is often seen on weekends playing, sport, gardening or simply relaxing.
 Richard Vickery
Richard is a Keith sheep grazier, involved in predominantly wool and prime lambs and has a broad understanding of natural resource management issues. Having had involvement in water allocation planning, membership on Animal and Plant Control Boards and the view that we are all responsible for leaving the planet in a better state, has lead Richard to become a board member.
He believes that decisions regarding agriculture, towns and cities were not sustainable in the past and that today we all must consider the impact that agriculture and development has on our natural resources.
The Naracoorte Caves and the typically Australian mallee scrub are Richard's favourite places in the region. He is often found working, playing tennis or socialising with friends. 
Robert Mock
Robert is a farmer in the Tatiara district of the South East and a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Prior to his appointment to the Board, Robert spent five years as a Board member on the South East Catchment Water Management Board.
He believes that our natural resources will be damaged if we fail to undertake practical management programs.
Robert lists the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse platform as his favourite spot in the region. He also enjoys Ewen's Ponds, with its spectacular underwater scenery. On the weekend Robert can be found making wine on his Tatiara property, diving for lobsters or trekking at high altitude.
 Stuart West
Stuart has worked in the forestry industry in the South East for 17 years. He is responsible for facilitating forestry and industry development for the State Government, and is the PIRSA Forestry representative on the Board.
A self confessed ‘greenie’, Stuart has an appreciation for the land and a desire for each generation to leave it better than they inherited it.
The relaxing sights and sounds of the Robe seashore is at the top of the list of his favourite places in the South East. Stuart also enjoys travelling north to the Coonawarra and Padthaway wine regions to taste the local product. Stuart and his family are often seen cycling around Mount Gambier taking in the city's sights.
 Peter Alexander
Peter has had a passion for the environment and natural resources management from an early age and worked for the South Australian Government in various capacities since the late 1970’s. He has formal training in science, ecology, education, systems analysis, management and business administration and has been fortunate to be involved in the development and management of a wide range of land and wildlife management, infrastructure development and community development projects across South Australia. At different times Peter has served on State and National boards and committees overseeing or developing policy on natural resource issues such as kangaroo management, threatened species recovery, wildlife and park management, animal and plant control, soil conservation, Landcare, pastoral lands administration, NRM policies and programs and national biodiversity decline.
His appointment as Regional Conservator South East from early 2007 involves him working across the Environment and Conservation portfolio and providing leadership to the regionally based programs of both DEH and DWLBC and working closely with the EPA and NRM Board staff.
Moving to Mount Gambier has given Peter the opportunity to more closely acquaint himself with the abundant natural resources of the region. Away from work, he is passionate about the wetlands of the lower South East, the long stretches of wild seas and coastline, the extensive coastal lakes and vast expanses of woodlands and forests. Peter is excited about living and working with the people of this region over the coming years to help ensure a healthy and dynamic future for a special part of the world.
 Adrian Gargett
Adrian is the Department for Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation representative on the Board. He is the Director of Infrastructure and Business for the department.
He has a close interest in the South East through his responsibility for major projects such as the Upper South East Dryland Salinity and Flood Management Program and the Lower Lakes, Coorong and Murray Mouth sites.
Adrian believes that the sustainable management of our natural resources is not an option, but a necessity and believes that people can make a significant difference to benefit future generations as well as the environment.
Holidaying in Robe is Adrian’s favourite South East destination. Adrian enjoys either walking the wild coastline in winter or exploring the rock pools in summer. On the weekend, Adrian enjoys catching up with family and friends and gardening.
 Brian Bartsch
As the PIRSA representative on the Board, Brian brings skills in strategic planning and knowledge in the economic development of livestock industries. Brian is currently based in Adelaide as the Manager of Industry Development, Livestock Industries and is involved in strategic planning with industries and the implementation of plans for economic development.
Although Brian does not live in the region, he has had a strong association with the South East as he has spent considerable time working on a number of dairy and grazing projects in the region.
Having a background in dairying and in the wider livestock area, Brian sees the need for a close relationship between these industries and the natural resources to ensure sustainable industry growth.
In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on his Adelaide Hills beef cattle property and in his vineyard.
 Jen Lillecrap
Jen Lillecrapp and her husband Charlie farm in the Struan district south of Naracoorte. The farm is diverse and includes grazing (sheep and cattle), cropping and viticultural enterprises. In her role as a “Farmer’s Wife” and mother of three young children life is challenging but very rewarding.
Jen has previously worked with PIRSA for ten years as a Landcare Officer and Agronomist. Since 1996 Jen has gone onto providing research and extension services for high rainfall cropping to the MacKillop Farm Management Group and a seed production company. Projects she has been involved with range from stubble management systems and the impact on soil and water parameters, evaluation of seed dressings for the control of root diseases, variety evaluation and irrigation scheduling for white clover seed production.
Jen’s vision is for innovation to improve sustainable agricultural systems for the South East. Innovation, research and adoption of new technology and practices will be the key to the future of primary production and the management of the regions’ natural resource base. It is imperative that the farming systems are both economically and environmentally sustainable. |