Graeme Mitchell General Manager
After graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wool and Pastoral Sciences from the University of New South Wales, Graeme was employed by the NSW Department of Agriculture conducting special projects and then in 1976 as the District Beef Cattle Officer in Albury. In 1987 he accepted the appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Shorthorn Society of Australia and moved to Armidale NSW, a position held until 2003. In that time Graeme represented the beef industry on many committees and has made numerous presentations at conferences worldwide. In 1989, Graeme co-established ANF Agritours and has been a Director since its inception and then Managing Director of Quadrant Australia from 2006 until 2015 when there was a Board restructure and now holds the position of General Manager. Graeme was the President of Agricultural Tour Operators International (ATOI) from 2011 to 2015 and is currently a Life Member of the Albury Wodonga Rugby Union Football Club and of the Shorthorn Society of Australia.
Colin Beckett Inbound Manager
In 1985 Colin co-established AgTour Australia, and was totally involved in the development of the company until its incorporation into Quadrant Australia on 1st July 2006. Colin now manages our inbound programs and has been instrumental in establishing agricultural travel programmes across Australia and around the world. His agricultural knowledge and networks are one of his strengths. He has travelled extensively throughout Australia and the world but now spends much of his time working remotely from his home office which is on a maize and cattle farm outside Kroonstad in the Free State of South Africa.
Kerry Moss Outbound Operations Manager
Growing up in Northern NSW, Kerry began her career in the tourism industry more than 25 years ago. She has vast experience in many facets of the industry including roles with retail travel, special interest groups, Ansett Airlines, and both the Northern Territory and Western Australian Tourism Commissions. She joined the Quadrant Australia team upon returning to her roots in Armidale in 2007 before relocating to the North Coast and opening our Coffs Harbour office.
Kerry has travelled extensively to more than 45 countries across 5 continents and as our Outbound Operations Manager, she is directly involved with our international programs including leading our South American Beef and Agricultural Tour in 2010, our 2013 Ireland and UK Agricultural Tour and our Italy and Spain Tour in 2016.
Jeanette Lapham Travel Specialist
Jeanette’s travel career started in the mid 70’s when she was employed with one of Sydney’s largest corporate travel agencies; this provided an excellent training platform, learning from some of the most respected in the business.
Jeanette continued to work within the retail travel industry until a position became available as Operations Manager for Bill Peach Journeys/Aircruising Australia where she remained for a period of 11 years. Her position was the management of both the domestic programmes utilising the company’s aircraft and the international touring programme. In 2001 the family moved north to Coffs Harbour. After a short break from the industry she returned and is a part of the Quadrant Team as a Retail Travel Specialist and Groups Co-ordinator.
Jacqui Bradley Travel Specialist
Born and bred in Wagga Wagga country New South Wales, Jacqui’s first travel experience to the inaugural Country Music Festival on Norfolk Island introduced her to the world of travel. From here she headed off to the UK for a working holiday for 12 months opening her eyes to cultures and sights all across UK and Europe. On returning to Wagga Wagga and eventually relocating to Coffs Harbour it was this passion for travel that lead to a 14 year career with Flight Centre enabling her to see over more than 30 countries to date. Whether it be cruising, trekking, shopping up a storm or just relaxing on the beach she enjoys all types of travel with her favourite destinations being Egypt and the USA.
It is her knowledge and experience, combined with her desire to help, that makes Jacqui the perfect person to assist you plan your next trip, be it a quick weekend getaway, or your dream bucket list journey.
Georgina Battese Travel Specialist
Georgina grew up on a mixed farming and grazing property near Quirindi where her family still reside with the focus now mainly on cropping – Corn, Soybean, Sorghum and Barley. Georgina attended Williams Business College in Sydney where she completed her Advanced Certificate in Travel and Tourism and has now been in the travel industry for over 25 years, working for travel agencies in Narrabri, Coffs Harbour and Armidale. She also spent some of this time in the airline industry working in both administration and flight check in for Qantaslink. Georgina started with Quadrant Australia in 2004 to introduce leisure travel to the companys already successful group tour departments. Travel is one of her passions with Scotland still being her favourite destination, however she has also travelled to the UK and Ireland, Europe, Vietnam, Bali, Singapore, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, China, Fiji and Thailand. She looks forward to one day getting to Africa and America.
Sharon Walker Inbound Group Specialist
Born and raised in Central Queensland, Sharon’s first taste of ‘working’ in the tourism industry came about whilst completing a Bachelor of Arts (Tourism) and Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management and Communication) at Central Queensland University. Chosen to assist with a major tourism project in the region, Sharon got the travel bug and hasn’t looked back since. Since completing her Degrees, Sharon has continued to work putting together both inbound, outbound and domestic tour arrangements for a number of travel companies. With 3 young daughters now keeping her busy at home as well, challenges are a plenty juggling both work and family life, however the rewards of putting together a group’s “trip of a lifetime” gives great personal satisfaction for Sharon.
Martha Saw Inbound Co-ordinator
Martha grew up and lived in Canberra from where she travelled to Asia, Europe, South America and the Middle East. She has lived in Rome, high in the Andes where she taught English and in the heat of Saudi Arabia for several years. Back in Australia, Martha has lived in Melbourne, Brisbane and is now happily settled in Armidale. She holds University qualifications in Agriculture and Project Management – both of which provide her with considerable knowledge of the agricultural industries of Australia. Martha owns a cattle fattening property on the outskirts of Armidale and is an amateur apiarist in her limited spare time!
Alex Hunter Business Development Manager
Growing up in Armidale NSW and hands-on with the family’s livestock grazing property, Alex comes from a strong rural background. Passionate about agriculture, Alex completed her Ag Degree at Hawkesbury Agriculture College, pursuing a career in ag marketing. Alex started with Elders Merchandise before transferring to their Stud Stock department. Her career path followed opportunities in the beef industry including three years with the Poll Hereford Society. Over the past 15 years she has held various senior roles including Membership Manager with Royal Agricultural Society, rural property marketing, and manager of the 2012 Australian Year of the Farmer Roadshow. Prior to joining Quadrant in August 2013, Alex led Quadrant’s Ireland & UK Agricultural Tour in May 2013. As Manager of Inbound Programs, I can honestly say I have the world’s best job, showcasing the best of Australian agriculture to international visitors”.
Kees van Haasteren Tour Manager
Born and educated in the Netherlands, Kees began his working career with the Curacao Trading Company in Amsterdam. At the age of 24 he emigrated to Australia and immediately became involved in agriculture, ultimately managing a large Merino wool, prime lambs, beef breeding/fattening and cropping property in the Central West of N.S.W. Kees has obtained an Advanced Diploma of Farm Management (Orange Agricultural College now part of the Charles Sturt University) and developed strong interests in Landcare and balancing of production/sustainability. Having been a Tour Manager with AgTour Australia / Quadrant Australia since 1997. He is able to combine his international background, skills in Australian Agriculture and language capabilities (English, Dutch, Spanish, German, plus working knowledge of French and Portuguese) to provide Quadrant Australia with a unique resource for the benefit of international visitors.
Moira Lloyd Project Manager
Moira has over 30 years experience in the travel and tourism industries in Australia and overseas. She commenced her career in London in the 70s working for a large tour wholesaler and held a variety of managerial positions before returning to Australia in 1988. Working as Tours and Groups Controller, she was responsible for the company’s European coach touring program and as Product Manager for French Life (a niche program utilising country cottages in France) she was responsible for all operational aspects of the program, as well as research and brochure production. Moira later spent seven years as Marketing Manager with the National Wool Museum in Geelong and then went on to establish a tourism program at the Gordon Institute of TAFE. She moved to Armidale in 1999 and spent four years in the position of Tourism Manager before joining the team at ANF Agritours, now Quadrant Australia. Moira has travelled extensively and uses this knowledge in her current role preparing brochure itineraries, tour books and Quadrant’s annual catalogue.
Bruce Eagle Information Technology
Bruce assists with information technology requirements including database programming, web development, system administration, graphic design and brochure production. He has an extensive background with over 30 years IT experience within military, government and private enterprise organisations and has an Arts Degree (Military Studies) and a Graduate Diploma (Information Systems). Bruce has worked in both a part-time and full-time capacity with Quadrant Australia since 2003.
Terri Raymond Accounting
Terri has maintained Quadrant/AgTour’s accounts and bookkeeping since 2003. With 20 years in the banking industry, followed by 6 years working as an accounting professional, Terri has a broad range of experience to bring to Quadrant Australia. She maintains the Quickbooks accounting package in all areas of invoicing, accounts payable and receivable, and payroll. She has degrees in both Information Technology and Business (Accounting).
Board of Directors
Bryan Johnston Chairman
Bryan Johnston has over 45 years experience in agriculture including public and private sector organisation management. Bryan worked as a Beef Cattle Advisory Officer in New South Wales, and specialised in livestock handling & transport as well as beef feedlot management. He held Program Leader management roles in NSW Agriculture and represented the NSW Feedlot Advisory Council on the inaugural Feedlot Industry Accreditation Committee. In 1997 Bryan became General Manager of the Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society and was responsible for breed research, development and marketing. He developed a supply alliance program and was an executive member of the Australian Registered Cattle Breeders Association. Bryan currently works as a consultant providing feedlot course development and training for New England TAFE and facilitates environmental management system training and auditing for Australian Land Management Group. Bryan has a continuing involvement with agriculture and interest in quality assurance systems, environmental management and ecosystem services.
Colin Beckett Director
A graduate of Marcus Oldham Farm Management College in Victoria, Colin initially worked for a seed company in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, and then managed cattle properties in Northern NSW and Central Queensland. In 1985 Colin co-established AgTour Australia, and was totally involved in the development of the company until its incorporation into Quadrant Australia on 1st July 2006. Colin has travelled extensively and established agricultural travel programmes across Australia and around the world. During the 1990’s Colin played a pivotal role in the creation and establishment of Agricultural Tours Operators International (ATOI) and was the inaugural President of that organisation. In 1999 Colin was awarded the Marcus Oldham Graduate of Excellence’, for his achievements within agribusiness since leaving Marcus Oldham College. Colin nowadays spends much of his time working remotely from his home office which is on a maize and cattle farm outside Kroonstad in the Free State of South Africa.
Ross Keane Director
Ross comes from a fourth generation sheep and cattle grazing family, with commercial operations located between Bourke and Cunnamulla. After 15 years in Queensland’s Stock and Station Agency sector, he joined Australia Meat Holdings (AMH) in 1990 as Livestock Manager for the company’s feedlot operations. Over a career spanning 20 years with AMH, Ross progressed to the position of General Manager Livestock, where he was responsible for the purchase and logistics management of the company’s ten abattoirs and five feedlots. In his last two years, and following the purchase of AMH by JBS Swift, Ross also served as a Director on the company’s Board. Since retiring from Swift in 2009, Ross continues to contribute significantly to the red meat and livestock industry, chairing the industry’s peak representative body, the Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) and the industry-government food safety partnership, SAFEMEAT. Also on his list of responsibilities, is the Chairmanship of the Government agency, Safefood Production Queensland, (responsible for regulation across a wide range of agricultural commodities – meat, eggs, dairy and some horticulture). Ross has led successful tours for Quadrant, to South Africa, South America, Russia, Finland, Canada, USA, as well as Ireland and the UK. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Scott Perkins Director
Scott grew up on a sheep property near Winton in Queensland and in Townsville. During a long army career he served in many parts of Australia as well as overseas. He left the Army to take up a position as General Manager of a Correctional Centre which, in addition to the normal range of activities, included a dairy and irrigated pasture. Scott completed an MBA while working both part and full time with AgTour before taking up management positions in the sugar industry, mining and government. He was appointed Chairman of the AgTour Board in April 2004 and continued in the role with Quadrant Australia when it was formed from AgTour and ANF Agritours. Scott retains a lifetime interest in agriculture and brings a wealth of experience in management, strategy and administration to Quadrant.