Peter Scholefield is an Agricultural Science graduate from the University of Adelaide with a PhD from Melbourne University.  He has had experience in R&D with grapes and avocados in the Sunraysia region, mangoes and tropical fruits and nuts in the Northern Territory with CSIRO and extension work with grapes and nut crops in the central region of SA with the SA Department of Agriculture.  Since 1989, Peter has had a senior role at Scholefield Robinson Horticultural Services Pty Ltd, providing clients with one-on-one consulting services and as a participant in teams both in Australia and internationally.  He has been active in the development of the agricultural science profession through committee work with AIAST, AAAC and other professional organisations.

Charles Drew has a distinguished background as an agricultural and farm management economist, strategic planner and advisor to agribusiness firms, industry and government.  He joined Scholefield Robinson in September 2001 after 12 years consulting with AACM/Dames and Moore/URS.  He has widespread experience and recognised skills in litigation support as an expert witness, and in alternative dispute resolution as a graded arbitrator and accredited mediator.  His skills complement the more technical farm management capabilities of the Scholefield Robinson team and enable us to offer clients a wider range of professional services.

Garth Swinburn is Managing Director of Scholefield Robinson Mildura Pty Ltd.  He graduated in horticulture from Lincoln and Canterbury University and has post graduate qualifications in agricultural economics from the University of New England.
Since 1982, he has worked in production horticulture in temperate crops, primary industry development and fresh produce marketing in New Zealand, Chile and Tasmania. 
Garth joined Scholefield Robinson in 1998 and has built the capacity of the Mildura business in the warm irrigated horticultural regions of Victoria, NSW and SA.  He provides technical support in property management, expert reports for legal cases and investment projects, economic viability analysis of horticultural industries, loss assessment and Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) registrations. His expertise are in wine, table and dried grapes plus tree crops such as citrus, stonefruit and almonds. Garth is a member of AIAST and AAAC.

Prue McMichael graduated in Agricultural Science from the University of Adelaide.  Her PhD is from the University of California, Davis. She worked as a Vegetable Crop Extension Specialist in California before returning to Australia. She joined Scholefield Robinson Horticultural Services in 1994.  Prue's speciality is in Plant Pathology and she provides advice on disease management with special emphasis on nursery and vegetable production. Her other interests include industry development, field research, research reviews, Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) trials and quality management.  Prue is currently the Project Manager for the National Vine Health Steering Committee (NVHSC).  For more information about NVHSC, please visit the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC) website: www.gwrdc.com.au

Lauren Thompson graduated in Agricultural Science from the University of California.  She has experience in both California and Australia with a wide range of horticultural crops.  Her work with corporate horticultural, agribusiness and irrigation companies in Australia and California, together with the role of Research, Development and Extension Leader for the processing tomato industry in Victoria and NSW, demonstrates the broad expertise that Lauren can provide to industries, projects and growers.

Mary Retallack is a graduate of the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia. Previously Vineyard Manager at Mountadam Vineyards in Eden Valley, her past experience as Program Leader with the CRC for Viticulture on their Research to Practice program, and her work with TAFE providing training in McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and the South East regions has given Mary a good understanding of the training requirements of the wine industry. She also has a specific interest in the environmental issues facing the viticultural industries. Mary has travelled extensively within Australia and overseas and has worked in the USA and Canada.

Ben Thomas graduated with honours in Agricultural Science from The University of Adelaide. His PhD is also from the University of Adelaide for which he investigated the role of soil fungi in plant nutrition. He joined Scholefield Robinson in 2003 after working at the University of Western Australia investigating the efficiency of fertiliser use and optimal fertiliser placement for crop production. Ben has expertise in soil chemistry, soil biology and plant nutrition and is equipped to provide expert advice on fertiliser management, soil management issues and crop production for a range of plant species. Ben is a member of the Australian Society of Soil Science Inc. (ASSSI) and AIAST.

Alison MacGregor is a graduate of the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University and comes to Scholefield Robinson after 17 years with the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria. Alison initially held the role of Regional Chemical Standards Officer, followed by 15 years in Research and Development, principally in viticulture. She has specialised skills in issues relating to chemical efficacy and residues, disease and pest management, spray application, assessing or minimising off-target contamination and residue traceback.

Kate Delaporte completed her PhD at the University of Adelaide, and spent 7 years managing the UA Ornamental Eucalypt Development Program, focussing on the development of ornamental eucalypts for amenity horticulture. She has a special interest in floriculture, as well as the utilisation of Australian plants in all areas of horticulture.  Kate's background and experience adds another horticultural facet to the skills available at Scholefield Robinson.  In addition to working in project teams, Kate will be responsible for trial work for PBR submissions and other technical work.

Sarah Kivi has recently completed a Bachelor of Science (Viticulture) at the University of Adelaide and was the 2007 recipient of the prestigious Jacobs Creek Viticulture Scholarship.  She has a specific interest in soil management and efficient water use within vineyards. Her current work at Scholefield Robinson includes Agronico GLP trials, and general technical support to senior consultants.

Cheryl Jenkins provides administrative support to the team and manages the clerical and financial side of the business. She joined Scholefield Robinson Horticultural Services in December 1998. Her accounting, computing and secretarial skills have been developed in the field of sports management.

 

ANNE-MARIE BROUGHTON
BA (Libr&InfMgmt)
Librarian/Admin Assistant
annemarie@srhs.com.au

Anne-Marie Broughton provides administrative support to the team and maintains our in-house reference library.  She joined Scholefield Robinson Horticultural Services in 2001 and has a degree in Library and Information Management from the University of South Australia.