South – Leading Sheep

Committee Details

	Name: Noel O’Dempsey Role: Coordinator & Producer Rosenthal Heights Phone: 07 4661 3559 odempseyn@gmail.com	Veterinarian and sheep producer Noel O’Dempsey has taken on the role of regional coordinator for Leading Sheep South region. Mr O’Dempsey runs fine wool sheep at “Linallie” in the Traprock country between Texas and Inglewood, and within that business he puts special emphasis on selecting sheep for worm resistance. He is an accredited facilitator and will work with the Leading Sheep South regional committee in pursuing knowledge and skills to help develop more profitable and productive sheep enterprises. Mr O’Dempsey was previously a sheep husbandry officer with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries for more than 20 years and also now runs a vet consultancy.
	Name: Arun Philip Role: Extension Officer DPI Charleville Phone: 0400 256 427 arun.philip@dpi.qld.gov.au	I am an Extension Officer based in Charleville, with a lifelong passion for agriculture, having grown up in a goat-rearing family in rural India. After completing a Master of Agribusiness at UQ Gatton, I am excited to work with sheep producers in South and Southwest Queensland. I am a strong advocate for wool as one of Australia’s most iconic and sustainable natural fibres, I am honoured to play a small part in contributing to the efforts played by wool producers and support providers in strengthening the nation’s wool innovation and sharing best farming management practices.
	Name: Bruce Toms Role: Producer “Beltana” Stanthorpe Phone: 07 4685 6075 flockscan@gmail.com	Bruce Toms along with his wife Melinda and sons Clancy and Dougal own “Beltana”, a 4600 acre sheep property west of Stanthorpe. They run 2000 Merino and Merino/SAMM cross ewes using Dohne rams. A graduate of Longreach Pastoral College, he has worked on Merino studs in the Riverina and in Western Australia. Bruce has also held sheep and wool positions with Elders and landmark. , In 2011 he started Flockscan, a sheep ultrasound pregnancy scanning business and is the Queensland wool representative for Fox & Lillie Rural. Bruce is a professional wool classer and Dohne assessor for the Australian Dohne Breeders Association and has been appointed to the Traprock Group sheep committee.
	Name: Don Perkins Role: Producer “Nelyambo” Dirranbandi Phone: 07 4625 8686 dbperkins@bigpond.com	Don Perkins runs a woolgrowing and breeding property at Dirranbandi with his wife, Belinda and sons Tom, Lachie and Nicholas. His main focus is to improve the productivity of the property through pasture improvement and genetic gains. He is also particularly interested in investigating ways to improve the communication between woolgrowers and their customers with a view of better supplying what the customer requires. Don thinks that Leading Sheep has a role to play in boosting the morale of Queensland sheep producers.
	Name: Debbie Cowley Role: Producer “Munda” Goondiwindi	Debbie and husband John run a mixed grain, pulse and sheep enterprise at “Munda” Goondiwindi. Debbie loves to embrace new technology for sheep handling, data management, animal health and so on. Debbie’s background includes 8 years as a Rural Financial Counsellor for the Goondiwindi district and she is a Chartered Accountant. Given her background, Debbie loves to crunch data on every individual sheep on Munda to assist with decision making.
	Name: Sarah Prior Role: Producer “Allendoone” Yelarbon	Sarah has always been keen to explore soil regeneration further and feels this can improve resilience in both livestock and cropping enterprises. Sarah has been able to implement changes to their sheep management system by obtaining the knowledge and skills to run a profitable livestock business. Leading Sheep is a fantastic network to be involved in with such passionate people and Sarah jumped at the opportunity with work with Leading Sheep!
	Name: Luke Murphy Role: Producer “Alanko” Goondiwindi	Luke Murphy is co-principal and stud manager at Karbullah Poll Merinos north of Goondiwindi, particularly focussing on grazing management and Sheep Genetics data management. Luke has been on the committee of the local Landcare group, having a keen interest in sustainable agriculture. Luke is keen to bring new ideas to the table and help shape the future of the Queensland sheep industry.