NT Farmers Team

Our Team

Paul Burke
CEO

Paul has extensive experience in the agricultural sector, working in government and non government roles advocating and supporting the agricultural sector. He worked in AgForce Queensland as the State Operations Manager and was the Chief Executive Officer for NT Cattlemen’s Association. Prior to becoming CEO of NT Farmers in 2019, he was the Director of Infrastructure Assets and Major Projects for the NT Government Department of Primary Industries and Resources.

Simone Cameron
Director of Regions and Projects

A teacher and agronomist, Simone, is a passionate advocate for agriculture in the Territory and is committed to promoting research and extension in the sector. She owns and operates a 1200 acre property just outside Katherine and has been with the Association since 2019.

Trish James
Finance Manager

Trish is passionate about the industry and worked with the NT Horticultural Association prior to it becoming NT Farmers Association. She has an immense wealth of knowledge about the association and the industry.

Rita Cadieux
Harvest Trail Coordinator

Rita assists to connect job seekers with farm work under the Harvest Trail Services Program. He has significant experience working in recruitment and training.

Aisla Connolly
Workforce Development Coordinator

Aisla assists members to source labour through a variety of channels. She has been instrumental in helping to alleviate the severe workforce shortages the industry experiences in the Territory. Aisla has qualifications in Human Resources and has a strong knowledge of issues affecting Territory farmers.

Mandy Tripcony
Projects Manager

Mandy's role at is to relieve some of the administrative load from the project officers, such as assisting with report writing, seeking funding, maintaining milestones and deadlines, to maximise their time on the ground, working with growers. Mandy will also work with the team to identify and apply for funding opportunities to support the great work of NT Farmers. Mandy has lived in the Territory for the past 11 years and has spent time in the Daly River and Batchelor regions.

Dianne Renfree
Water Industry Development Officer

Di has 18 years working in the Northern Territory agricultural sector in various roles in research, technical sales, watermelon agronomy. She has always had a keen interest in farming since growing up on a mixed family farm in NSW. Di is committed to providing the farming sector in the NT with up to date technology and information.

Iain Forrest
Policy and Communications Officer

Iain assists NT Farmers to develop and write policies for the association. Also, he works with media enquiries, applies for funding and coordinates communications to our members. Before joining NT Farmers, Iain worked in various communication roles in the public and private sectors in Darwin and Canberra.

Dominic Calder
Industry Diversification Officer

Dominic has a background in the horticulture industry in QLD. He is passionate about agriculture and the NT. His role is to promote and assist farmers with diversifying their farms and operations.

Mariah Maughan
Vegetable Industry Development Officer

As the NT Regional Development Officer for the National VegNET program, Mariah assists vegetable growers in the NT with issues they are experiencing in their business and industry through providing one on one support, facilitating workshops and running field trials. Mariah has a background in the Agricultural industry of Northern WA including 5 years with DPIRD in Broome and Kununurra.

Tisha Tejaya
Biosecurity Officer

Tisha’s role is to support growers of a Non-English-Speaking Background with accessible resources and information to prepare and respond to Biosecurity Emergencies. Tisha is an award-winning artist and lawyer with a background in administrative law. Tisha is from a migrant grower background and is committed to showcasing the resilience of people working in agriculture in the Territory.

Steph Coombes
General Extension Officer - Katherine Region

Steph is the Northern Hub Extension and Adoption Officer for the Katherine region. The Northern Hub is a consortium of regional partners is committed to building the resilience and sustainable prosperity of rural industries and communities across the region. Stephanie has a BSc Agriculture (Hons) and MSc Agricultural Education and Communication.

Tahna Jackson
Environmental Project Officer

Tahna has over 20 years’ experience in the agricultural sector, working in government and non-government roles advocating and supporting the agricultural sector. She worked at AgForce Queensland for over 11 years as a Regional manager and project manager, Prior to joining NT Farmers in April 2022, she worked as a team leader for the National Recovery and Resilience  Agency, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.