About Ruralbiz Training

About RuralBiz

RuralBiz Training offers good quality, good value training for farmers and rural communities. We are part of the national training agenda with our own registered training organisation, Kreate Pty Ltd, offering nationally accredited training to Advanced Diploma level. Our current training scope includes all units of competency in Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diplomas of both Agriculture and Agribusiness Management.

Flexible delivery is our speciality with courses available in interactive online mode, distance education and traditional face-to-face workshops (groups of 10 or more). You can train with us without leaving home, or you can get a small group together and we will come to you. Our trainers are well qualified and experienced, and live in our rural communities.

Please phone or email us if there is some training you would like for yourself or your community. We will work with you to make sure your needs are met – either with us or another suitable training provider.

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Our Staff

Kathy Sims

Kathy (CEO) is a former rural financial counselor in Dubbo and Rural Skills Development Manager for NSW Farmers Association . She has worked extensively with farmers in both business and education/training. Kathy's qualifications include a Master of Accountancy, a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Education and TAE40110 in Training and Assessment.

Sarah Mosley

Sarah joined RuralBiz in 2015 and has recently been promoted to Administration Manager. Sarah handles all aspects of administration such as enrolments, reporting, funding and administrative compliance. Sarah has future plans to travel overseas, undertake further study and eventually own her own business.

Melanie Moeller

Melanie joined RuralBiz in 2016. Melanie's early years were spent on a dairy farm but she grew up to follow her interest in visual arts. With a degree in Fine Arts and extensive experience in administration, customer service and an aptitude for technology Melanie is our Marketing Manager.

Sarah Barton

Sarah grew up on a family property in Central West NSW where she developed skills in livestock management and horticulture. Following her passion for agriculture into higher education saw her graduate with a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management from Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. Sarah joined the RuralBiz Training team as an Administration Officer in 2020.

Dipa Shrestha Lama

Originally from Nepal Dipa holds a Bachelor of Education and a Masters in Business Administration . Dipa joined our team as an Administration Officer in 2020 and is enjoying learning more about the Australian agricultural industry.

Our Trainers

Alison Hamilton

Alison is an independent consultant with experience in the beef and cattle industry; she runs a small cattle trading operation with her husband near Wagga Wagga in the NSW Riverina. Alison's qualifications include Bachelor of Rural Business Administration, NSW Department of Primary Industries Cattle Livestock Assessment course and TAE40110  Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.  Alison was named the 2011 NAB Agribusiness Beef Industry Rising Champion, representing Australian beef producers at the young Five Nation's Beef Alliance forum held in Denver, Colorado in January 2011. Alison was also a runner up in the RIRDC NSW Rural Women's Award in 2010 and was a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, course 18.

Angela Stewart

Angela is a highly experienced Agronomist with a mixed farming enterprise at Warialda. She is also an experienced Agriculture teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science (Plant and Soil), A TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and has partially completed a Bachelor of Farm Management. Angela is not only a trainer but also provides individual support and encouragement for our students as one of our 'Guardian Angels' and since 2019 has fulfilled the role of Training Manager.

Anthony Wright

Ant has a strong background in Agriculture having managed various properties and operated his own livestock contracting business. Based in Armidale Ant holds a Diploma of Agriculture and the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Danielle Andersson

Danielle has experience in natural resource management and community engagement from her roles with Private, Not For Profit and Public Sector organisations in NSW and overseas.She has a strong background in facilitating practical NRM, and in particular biodiversity conservation, on farm and through the landscape. Danielle grew up in Central West NSW and now lives outside of Armidale with her family.She holds a Bachelor of Natural Resources (Honours) and is working towards her TAE.

David Worsley

David is a sheep and beef farmer from Inverell, NSW. He presents our Chemical Card Plus, Property Management Planning, Farm Safety, and other farm related workshops. David is well known across northern NSW as a gifted trainer who relates well to farming groups. David's qualifications include Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture), Diploma of Education and TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Elizabeth Brown

Elizabeth has been working with farm families across central and western NSW for nearly 20 years to assess their financial position and identify options. Elizabeth is well trained in negotiation, counselling and facilitation. She has a keen interest in agriculture and the financial performance of a wide range of enterprise types. Elizabeth's qualifications include Advanced Diploma of Rural Business Administration with distinction, Diploma of Community Services (financial counselling) and TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Emorfia Cutler

Emorfia is a beef producer from the Mid North Coast. She grew up on her properties and is passionate about the Beef Industry. She loves working on the farm, and with her horses and crew of dogs. Emorfia has been teaching Agriculture and Primary Industries in a high school on the Mid North Coast for the past 6 years and is passionate about encouraging youth to pursue a career in Agriculture. She studied a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching (Technology). She currently holds her updated TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Greg Murtha

Greg runs a blueberry farm at Korora a few kilometres from Coffs Harbour, NSW. Greg was a high school teacher for 30 years teaching Agriculture and Science specialising in Chemistry and Biology in latter years. Greg and his wife formerly ran a small banana plantation and business (Nana Culture) producing 250,000 plants per year, supplying tissue cultures to banana nurseries, government research bodies and farmers Australia wide and in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Greg's qualifications include Diploma of Teaching (Science), Diploma of Agriculture and TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Karen Harper

Karen is experienced in the on farm “people issues” related to communication, management and succession, and operates her own consultancy, high resolutions. Karen’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Business in the Field of Real Property Valuation and Administration and TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Kristy Youman

Kristy is a highly experienced in Environmental Science and Agriculture having worked in this field for more than 10 years in roles ranging from on farm experience, research, agronomy and mentoring. She holds a Bachelor of Natural Resources (Honours) and the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

Kym Wilkinson

A highly experienced Business Owner and Farmer known for expertise within a variety of specialisations such as Agriculture, Staff and Financial Management. Recognised for business acumen, resolving complex issues and supporting the strategic growth of an agricultural business. Kym is engaged as a Consulting Tutor working with students enrolled with us at Muresk Institute, WA. Kym's qualifications include a Bachelor of Applied Science - Psychology.

Maureen Devine

Maureen is a well known, innovative educator with more than 30 years experience in teaching and administration. She has worked in a range of schools in the Northern Territory, and has a wealth of practical knowledge of strategies to support students and teachers for good educational outcomes. Central to this is the value of effective education support workers who work with teachers in a classroom situation or remotely in home tutoring. Her understanding of the education assistant role has been gained both as a classroom teacher, and as a principal of schools where students had very significant support needs. Maureen is not only a trainer but also provides individual support and encouragement for our students as one of our Student Progression Manager. Maureen has a Bachelor of Education and TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Milton Curkpatrick

Milton operates his own precision agriculture consultancy for farmers in northern NSW. He is an highly experienced, practical farmer having operated his own properties in South Australia for nineteen years and managed rural property portfolios for Bird Cameron, Perpetual Trustee Co. and University of New England over a twenty year period. He holds an Advanced Diploma of Agriculture and a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment.

Rebecca Ballard

Bec is a beef and fine wool producer from Tenterfield, NSW. Bec is highly experienced in Natural Resource Management and Agriculture having worked in this field for more than 10 years throughout NSW and Qld. She has worked extensively in the government, not-for-profit and private sectors in roles ranging from invasive species management, water management, sustainable agriculture and environmental management, research, governance and community facilitation and engagement. Bec’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Rural Science, Diploma in Pest Management, Certificate IV in Frontline Management and TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Reg Kidd

Reg is extremely well known across NSW in many capacities and is a farmer in Orange, NSW. As a trainer, he presents our Chemical Card Plus, Farm Safety, Farm Planning and other farm related workshops. He is also the well known presenter of ABC local radio's Saturday morning gardening show, board member of the Central West Catchment Authority, Executive Councillor NSW Farmers Association and member of numerous government committees related to pesticide use and weed control. Reg's qualifications include Bachelor of Science (Agriculture), Graduate Diploma in Education and a TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.