The Board
RFCS WA is governed by a board of management consisting of representatives from all over Western Australia and from a variety of specialised fields.
Chris WheatcroftExecutive Officer Chris Wheatcroft has the role of Executive Officer for both RFCS WA and NEFF, this encompasses the management and administration of both groups Chris has a varied work history which allows him to bring a great deal of industry specific knowledge to RFCS WA. He has been linked to farming till his late 20's and has had experience and ownership in a number of different small businesses including a surf shop; breeding of fish, mealworms and water plants for pet shops, the zoo and marketed across Australia. Chris also has a community services background including his work with teenagers with emotional and behavioural problems and he himself has worked as a Rural Financial Counsellor.
Chris's tertiary studies include; Sustainable Development (understanding and integrating economic, social and environmental factors), Counselling, Community Services , Training and Assessment plus 2 years Psychology/Philosophy (incomplete) and continuing MBA studies
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Julian KriegChair |
 Julian is the son of a farmer, husband of one wife, father of three sons and grandfather of nine and last of all father-in-law to three independently spirited women. In spite of this he maintains a relatively independent spirit and has a passion for improving the opportunities for people to understand and cope with their changing circumstances. Currently Julian and Glenys reside on a 1 acre block on the outskirts of York where they are enjoying the country lifestyle.
Julian has a background in education (he was Director of Agricultural Education for many years). Julian has extensive experience working with people and has a wealth of experience in educating and understanding boys and men. Julian works specifically in men's holistic health and suicide awareness. He has developed a successful range of programs and strategies for rural men, their families and communities to counteract some of the negative effects of drought and declining terms of trade in agriculture. Currently employed by Wheatbelt Men's Health (Inc) as a Community Educator, his programs provide community people with skills and information to recognise signs and triggers associated with despair and information about who to contact regarding intervention strategies. Julian was recognized for his work in drought affected WA in 2007 by being awarded the Royal Agricultural Society Rural Achiever of the year in Western Australia. Julian is also
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Pam Batten
Pam Batten, along with her family has been farming in the marginal community of Yuna for the past 39 years. 11 years ago they saw the need to diversify and have since developed a successful Dorper Stud.
Pam has been heavily involved in the CWA for the past 39 years and has held positions as finance officer and more recently as the State President. During Pam's time as State President WA farming communities have experience very adverse seasonal conditions and the CWA has distributed over 1 million dollars to those in need. It is Pam's involvement during these hard times that has encouraged her to use her skills to assist RFCS WA.
Pam is also involved in a number of local groups including Yuna branch of CWA, ‘Yuna P&C‘ Creating a better Yuna Group', Steering Group for ‘Yuna Farmlands Water Scheme' which successfully bought a water supply to 49 farming families.
Karen Chappel
Karen Chappel, along with her husband Lindsay, farm property West of Perenjori in the North East Agricultural Region and is also a heavily involved community member in both Perenjori and Morawa.
Karen currently holds the position as Chair for Northern Districts Community Support Group which is responsible for bringing a family counsellor to over 6 local shires. Karen is also a Councillor on The Shire of Morawa, Councillor on Midwest Regional Council, committee member of Perenjori Telecommunications and Resource Centre and is strongly involved within the Morawa and Perenjori Anglican Parish. Karen has recently been sworn in as a Justice of the Peace and gained her qualifications to act as a Marriage Celebrant.
In 2007 Karen was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Shire of Perenjori.
Karen's relationship with Rural Financial Counselling began with Northern Districts Community Support Group and continues with her involvement with NEFF, including the application to become the new service providers of RFCS WA.
Andrew Clark
Andrew Clark was born & bred on his family farm in the central wheatbelt of WA. His studies include a Bachelor of Business Degree in Agriculture, and a Bachelor of Commerce (both obtained at Curtin University).
Having spent a few years working for the family farm Andrew was also employed by Australian Poultry before entering the world of banking where he spent almost four years with Commonwealth Bank, and the next Seventeen years with National Australia Bank.
Andrews’s roles varied from Agribusiness Advisor to more senior roles such as Agribusiness Management positions to more recent role as State Manager of Agribusiness WA.
William Colbourne
William (Bill) Colbourne is a recently semi retired primary producer from Kulin. Bill was the owner operator of his property in Kulin for 41 years and during this time has also run a local auto business and Contract Shearing team. Bill has also worked within TAFE running a program which placed urban unemployed youth into farming properties. Bill has been and is still involved with a number of committees and volunteer groups including being a foster carer, coaching local sporting groups and leading youth camps . Bills association with Financial Counselling came through his involvement with Central Ag Care where he held the position of Vice Chair.
Paul McKenzie
Treasurer
Paul McKenzie has 16 years experience as a management consultant and is the founder of Agrarian Management, a leading specialist independent farm management consultancy, in both Geraldton and Katanning.
Paul has firsthand experience with primary producing with his wheat and sheep property in Toodyay and has been involved with various Agricultural advisory committees including Dry Seasons advisory committee and Dry season response group.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture through University of WA, a Bachelor of Commerce through Murdoch University and a Company Directors Diploma through AICD.
Paul has a keen interest in surf life saving and is a volunteer surf life saver in North Cottesloe and Geraldton and has previously been president of the Geraldton Club.
John Mudie
John Mudie is the owner occupier of a farm business in Ravensthorpe, he has had 49 years practical farming experience and has also been involved in a large amount of local voluntary work.
John was the President of the Jerramungup shire for 4 years and has been a shire counsellor for 9 years. John's involvement with Rural Financial Counselling has come through his association with the Southern Agcare committee, Southern Agcare which employs psychologists, social workers and counsellors for the southern regions.
In 2003 John was awarded the Local Government distinguished service award.
Andrew Thomas
Andrew Thomas is the Chair of North East Farming Futures Group NEFF which are the new service providers of RFCSWA.
Andrew, along with his wife Tarleah have property South East of Mullewa which they have been farming for the past 23 years. Over the past few years Andrew has seen the effects that drought can have on a region, both primary producers and the local businesses, and therefore as both primary producer and chair of NEFF he has seen the importance of ensuring the RFCS WA service develops and expands.
Andrew has been involved with a number of different groups and councils including NEFF, WANTFA- WA No Till Farming Association,Shire of Mullewa Council and Mullewa Bush Fire Brigade.
Christine Thompson
Gavin Treasure
Gavin Treasure is the Chief Executive Officer for the Shire of Morawa. Gavin commenced this position in Morawa during September 2004.
Prior to this appointment, Gavin held a Finance & Commercial Management role with the Geraldton Port Authority, a position in which he held for 10 years. Gavin also acted as Chief Executive Officer of the Geraldton Port Authority at various times during this period.
Gavin holds two post graduate qualifications. A Master of Commerce (MCom) conducted through Deakin University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) completed with the University of Western Sydney. Gavin is also a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) and a Fellow of the National Institute of Accountants (FPNA).
Peter Trefort
Peter manages his family property in Narrogin Western Australia. He developed an on farm processing works for lamb products for both Domestic and Export markets.
Peter has worked closely with Murdoch and U.W.A. in research of all facets of sheep meat eating qualities. His Directorships includes Meat and Livestock of Australia, Ausmeat Pty Ltd, Elderstone Nominees Pty Ltd, as well as actively being involved in Agricultural Education.
Peter was awarded an Honorary Doctor in Science for research work with the Australian Sheep Industry.