Board Director Candidates 2025
Fiona Marshall - Mulwala, NSW
Fiona Marshall farms with her family at Mulwala in the Southern Riverina of NSW. Fiona is a passionate advocate for Australian agriculture, with a strong commitment to advancing the profitability, sustainability, and profile of the grains Industry.
She brings a unique blend of practical farm management experience and industry leadership, underpinned by a background in applied science and education. Fiona is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the NFF Diversity in Ag Leadership Program, the Grains Social Leadership Program, and was awarded a Climate Smart Agriculture Scholarship by Farmers for Climate Action. Fiona’s governance and leadership experience is extensive.
She is Chair of Riverine Plains Inc, a major farming systems group spanning the Southern Riverina of NSW and North Central Victoria, and Deputy Chair of AgBiz Assist, which delivers rural financial counselling and business education services. Fiona also serves on the GrainGrowers National Policy Group, contributing to national policy development and advocacy, and has previously served on the GRDC Southern Panel.
A life-long learner and strategic thinker, Fiona is dedicated to building capacity across the grains value chain-from research and innovation to on-farm practice and end-user engagement. She is especially passionate about fostering educational opportunities and supporting the vital contribution of women in agriculture.
Fiona strives to ensure that grain grower interests are at the heart of every decision and is committed to delivering tangible benefits for the future of Australian agriculture.
Derek Schoen - Corowa, NSW
I have owned and operated a successful farming business since 1983 with my wife Leanne and subsequently also our son Murk and daughter-in-law Kate. I completed HSC and graduated as a qualified Licensed Aircraft Maintenance engineer with T AA (Trans Australia Airlines).
We currently farm 2500ha in Corowa consisting of winter cereals wheat, barley, canola and oats along with irrigated adzuki beans and maize along with sheep and cattle. I am currently chair of Murray local land services, sit on the boards of the RAA (Rural Assistance Authority) and Beyond Blue, along with being a councilor on the Federation Council. I am a former president of the NSWFA (NSW Farmers Association) and former director of NFF, Cattle Council of Australia and Southern Riverina Rural Co-op.
My current position of Chair of the Murray Local land Services board enables me to have wide engagement with grain growers in our region and with grain industry stakeholders. I have a sound understanding of the grains industry in Australia, supply chains and markets. The experience on the board of the RAA gives me a good insight to the difficulties agricultural enterprises experience and how many overcome these challenges to build resilient businesses.
I have completed the AICD course and the skills gained by my leadership positions have resulted in sound governance skills and the highest standards of financial accountability and probity.
The Australian grains industry needs a strong member based representative organisation with up-to-date strategic direction, sound policy development capability and respected advocacy credentials.
I feel I have the skill set to contribute to the board and ensure members are proud to belong to GGL
Ash Brooks - Dimboola, VIC
I’m Ash Brooks, and together our family operates a broadacre cropping business in Victoria’s Wimmera region, where we grow cereals, canola, and pulses.
My role is predominantly business finances, and with an agronomic background, I am also actively involved in crop management. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Hons) degree from the University of Western Australia and am a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course.
Alongside farming, I have worked within the grains industry for over 20 years, including national marketing and strategy positions. Through these roles, combined with industry board and committee involvement, I have developed extensive capabilities in governance, financial oversight, sustainability, market development, and strategy. These broad experiences, supported by my practical understanding of farm operations, regional communities, and grain supply chains enable me to contribute diverse perspectives to GrainGrowers’ future-focused strategy.
As the grains sector navigates the complexities of climate variability and a challenging operating environment, I offer the board passion and continued dedication to GrainGrowers’ thriving grower and vibrant community vision reflected through innovative solutions to key issues, effective policy and targeted advocacy via government and industry engagement.
I have been a director at Grain Growers Ltd since 2023 and as an actively involved industry and community member I am also a:
- Chair – By Five Wimmera Southern Mallee Children’s Innovation Hub,
- Grains Councillor - VFF (Elected West Wimmera Representative),
- Member - Longerenong Agricultural College Advisory Committee and
- Former director - Rural Financial Counselling Service – Victoria West.
The GrainGrowers voice is integral to grain farming businesses, families, and our rural communities. In seeking re-election to the board, I bring collaborative and proven capability, underpinned by extensive industry networks and a commitment to innovatively and sustainably strengthening our industry’s future