The Publishing Services team

Catriona has a background in agricultural science and education and brings more than 13 years experience in project management, science writing and editing for farming audiences. She has been the deputy editor of Kondinin Group’s Farming Ahead and has also been responsible for the writing and production of the Kondinin Group’s award-winning Workboot Series of educational books. Catriona is currently responsible for the production of The Workboot Series and managing key external client relationships including Future Farm Industries CRC.

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Prior to joining Kondinin Group Laureta worked as senior journalist on regional newspapers in New South Wales and Western Australia. Her role with Kondinin Group sees her apply her writing skills to the Group’s  flagship publication Farming Ahead and across the products of external publishing clients including the Future Farm Industries CRC and the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA. As the Farming Ahead editor Laureta also plays an integral part in developing Kondinin Group’s online presence. She hails from her family’s beef, sheep and wool enterprise, on the Monaro, New South Wales. Laureta is the secretary of the Rural Media Association of Western Australia.

Ben White is Kondinin Group’s Research Manager and has the overall responsibility for the production of Kondinin’s Farming Ahead magazine. Ben has extensive experience in project management and delivery of research projects. He has overseen award-winning research reports for Farming Ahead relating to Next G phones, harvester fires precision farming and grain augers, managed the development of an NLIS training manual for Department of Agriculture and Food, WA and coordinated the development of a series of conservation farming manuals for the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority. Ben also coordinated a scoping study for GRDC regarding Agricultural Engineering in Grains Industry. In addition to his engineering qualifications, Ben is a professional photographer, who has travelled widely. Ben regularly contributes as both a photographer and writer, not only to Farming Ahead but also to Focus on Perennials and Future Farm magazine.

Kondinin Group Engineering manager, Josh Giumelli, has extensive experience in writing case studies, articles and books for a farmer audience. Josh has authored some of Kondinin Group’s most well-publicised feature articles including the award-winning feature on Next-G handset performance and a harvester fires report. He also has project-managed and compiled three highly-successful practical workshop manuals for the Group. Josh has expertise in electronics and mechanical engineering and with a practical farming background is able to relate to famers on both a technical and personal level.

Research coordinator, Toni Nugent has a degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Melbourne . Toni has been the project manager of the recently completed GRDC-funded Grain market lingo — what does it all mean? and editor of the Kondinin Group’s manuals Stalk to Store and Spraying Solutions. Toni is responsible for a coordinating the research content of Farming Ahead and has contributed a wide range of research reports and articles on many aspects of the grain industry. These include an award-winning research report on Farm Labour. Toni is a partner in the family farming business, which is involved in grain, beef and sheep production.

Pamela has degrees in Science (Resource and Environmental Management) and Economics from the Australian National University. Before joining Kondinin Group she worked for two years for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and a year on her family farm.  Since joining the Group eight years ago, Pamela has written research reports, articles and farmer case studies for Farming Ahead and Made in Australia on a wide range of topics within the agricultural industry.  Pamela also brings to the Group significant photographic skills. Pamela continues to be actively involved in her family’s farming operation, which focuses on cattle, sheep and grain production.

Fleur has a degree in Applied Science (Agriculture) from Charles Sturt University. Before joining Kondinin Group, Fleur worked for eight years with the NSW DPI as an agronomist specialising in plant pathology.  Since joining the Group Fleur has written Research Report, articles and farmer case studies for Farming Ahead on a wide range of topics within the agricultural industry.  Fleur is also actively involved in her family’s grain operation.

A Hawker Scholar, Chris has a bachelor of business in farm management from Marcus Oldham College and has been involved in the Kondinin Group research and development team since 2007. Based in the Group’s Toowoomba office, Chris authors regular sections of Farming Ahead and works closely with industry to produce R&D outcomes.

With a farming background and ties to the Wimmera region of northern Victoria, Chris has a strong interest in the grains industry. Previously involved in the development of a conservation farming manual, Chris is currently working on a long-term grain storage extension project focusing on quality control.

Megan holds a diploma in graphic design. Megan has more than 20 years experience in design and publishing in agriculture. Megan has recently been responsible for the development of a number of new design concepts for the Future Farm Industries CRC for their Prospect Statements and their new look, quarterly Focus on Perennials and Future Farm publications. Megan is also responsible for the design and production of the Group's award-winning Workboot Series of childrens educational resources. Megan has a practical agricultural background growing up on a sheep station in Western Australia.

Liz holds a diploma in Graphic design and has more than 20 years design experience.  Among Liz’s significant achievements are the responsibility for the engaging design and layout of Farming Ahead, which continues to evolve to ensure it maintains an engaging and contemporary visual impact in the marketplace.  Liz also provides design services for external clients including a range of industry reports and corporate communications such as Farmanco's new corporate identity. 

Jo joined the Kondinin Group team during 2008 and has played an integral role in the Publishing Services team. Jo has more than 10 years experience in the publishing and print industry, working on the design and publication of Australian medical and sporting journals as well as annual reports, advertising and corporate design work.  Jo’s keen attention to detail ensures each and every publication is perfect before it hits the press. Jo has not only utilised her creative flair on our internal flagship publication Farming Ahead and in-house marketing material, but also with projects such as the Group’s independent Western Australian Wheat Pools Performance Comparison Report, Riverine Plains research report and Western Potatoes 2009 Potato Pantry.

Debbie joined the Group during 2007 after working in the corporate affairs and international projects department of a registered training organisation where she was responsible for the preparation, development and coordination of specialised non-accredited training. Debbie coordinated training for both domestic and international seminars, including three which she helped deliver overseas. Debbie currently leads the marketing team at Kondinin Group and is responsible for the marketing and promotional activities for Farming Ahead, KGITraining, membership and KIS Publishing. This includes developing the communication strategies between the Group and members, coordinating field day attendance and corporate events, and developing member study tours. She also provides marketing support for external clients and projects. 

Verity joined the Kondinin Group team after completing a combined degree at the University of Western Australia, (majoring in marketing, management and communication studies). As marketing officer, Verity assists with all marketing activities for the Group including external media communications, correspondence with clients and members of the Group and arranging the Group's field day attendance. Verity is also the project officer of Kondinin Group's newly established Agricultural Information and Technology Centre. Verity hails from Dowerin, Western Australia where her family runs an intensive cropping enterprise and she is the granddaughter of one of Kondinin Group’s founding members, Bill Henderson.