Council
4 December, 2025
Mortlake farmer named among new directors
THE operator of a historic Mortlake beef property has been named among the new directors to lead a peak representative body for agricultural businesses.
Mortlake’s David Allen was named as a new director for Food and Fibre Great South Coast at last week’s annual general meeting, in a celebration of a year of solid progress and new initiatives which focused on growing the value of the region’s agricultural sector.
The occasion also saw the addition of two new directors whose skills and experience will ensure the organisation continues its forward-thinking momentum and advocacy for the sector.
Chair Oonagh Kilpatrick, who was re-elected unopposed, welcomed Mr Allen and fellow incoming director Stephen Rafferty to the organisation.
She noted the duo brings with them a combination of hands-on production and agribusiness experience.
“We are absolutely delighted with the appointment of David and Stephen to our board of directors, each bringing with them a strong set of skills and experience that will serve our organisation well into the future,” Ms Kilpatrick said.
Mr Allen is a third-generation beef producer operating ‘Boorook’ near Mortlake which has been in his family for 118 years, now sharing responsibility with his son, Nick.
As a business, they are focusing on reducing their carbon emissions by improving livestock efficiency through genetics, nutrition and health, carbon sequestration via pasture management, reducing fossil fuel requirements and investing in renewable energy.
Mr Rafferty is also an accomplished agribusiness professional with over 35 years’ experience in rural finance, sustainability strategy and regenerative agriculture.
He is a former senior banker with Commonwealth Bank’s specialised agribusiness solutions division who now leads innovative circular-economy and soil-health initiatives with Ocean2Earth and Red Dirt Fert.
Their work with environmental management and animal welfare has led them to be nominated as one of McDonalds’ Flagship Farms – the only one in Australia and amongst about 40 scattered around the world.
“David and Stephen bring with them a focus on long-term, sustainable, innovative and profitable practices as well as experience in governance, all cornerstones of our organisation,” Ms Kilpatrick said.
In addition Greenham livestock supply chain manager Jessica Mitchell and Glenelg Shire Council director of infrastructure Aaron Moyne were elected joint deputy chair.
Rhonda Henry of Westpac Agribusiness was re-elected treasurer.
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