Published: 6 September 2021 Updated: 14 July 2025

About the Board

The Board comprises up to nine directors who are appointed, in accordance with sections 17 and 77 of the Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989 (the PIRD Act), as follows:

  • The Chair is selected and appointed by the Minister
  • The Managing Director is selected and appointed by the Board on terms and conditions determined by the Board.
  • The other directors are appointed by the Minister on the nomination of a selection committee. The Minister appoints the selection committee based on the nominations of FRDC's representative organisations.

Directors

  • Dr Beth Woods OAM - Chair
  • Dr Chris Calogeras - Deputy Chair
  • Dr Patrick Hone - Managing Director
  • Ms Manuwuri (Traceylee) Forester
  • Mr Boris Musa
  • Mr Alex Ogg
  • Mr Yorick Piper
  • Dr Lyndal Thorburn
  • Mrs Katherine Winchester

Directors are selected based on their expertise in one or more of the following fields:

  • commodity production
  • commodity processing
  • commodity marketing
  • conservation of natural resources
  • management of natural resources
  • science
  • technology and technology transfer
  • environmental and ecological matters
  • economics
  • administration of research and development
  • finance
  • business management
  • communication
  • government policy and public administration.

Directors are appointed for a term not exceeding three years. The Managing Director holds office at the Board's pleasure. All Directors other than the Managing Director are appointed on a part-time basis.

The Board engages regularly with FRDC stakeholders particularly around regional Board Meetings:

Upcoming Board meetings

Board # Meeting date Meeting purpose Meeting location
211 14 Aug 2025 Board meeting Teleconference
212 18-20 Nov 2025 Board meeting Canberra
213 18-19 Feb 2026 Board meeting Lakes Entrance
214 15-16 Apr 2026 Board meeting Hobart/Dover
215 10-11 Jun 2026 Board meeting Adelaide
216 19-20 Aug 2026 Board meeting Canberra
217 18-19 Nov 2026 Board meeting Canberra
218 17-18 Feb 2027 Board meeting Perth
219 14-15 Apr 2027 Board meeting Brisbane
220 09-10 Jun 2027 Board meeting Darwin
221 08-09 Sept 2027 Board meeting Canberra
222 11-12 Aug 2027 Board meeting Canberra
223 17-18 Nov 2027 Board meeting Canberra 
       
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