14 August 2026
NSW Farmers has further strengthened its regional engagement capability with the appointment of four new Regional Managers.
They are:
• Cate Povey, Regional Manager - Riverina Murray, Far West
• Mel Swift, Regional Manager - Central NSW
• Greg Welsh, Regional Manager - Illawarra South East NSW
• Jason Thomas, Regional Manager - Hunter, Greater Sydney and North Coast.
They join current NSW Regional Manager based in Northern NSW, Mick Collins, bringing together a highly skilled team with extensive experience across the agricultural industry and regional NSW.
Drawing on a broad range of professional and lived experiences, the team will play a critical role in bolstering member engagement.
NSW Farmers CEO, Annabel Johnson, said that having staff directly engaging with branches is essential to make members feel represented.
"We are excited to welcome Cate, Mel, Greg and Jason to NSW Farmers," Ms Johnson said.
"With our branch network spanning communities right across NSW, having a team whose focus is on supporting and engaging with branches is essential to ensuring our members feel connected and supported, and their voices heard."
NSW Farmers says the appointments will contribute to meaningful engagement at a local level to better understand the opportunities and challenges facing farming communities across NSW and to deliver greater policy and advocacy outcomes for its members.
"Importantly, the Regional Managers will be a visible and accessible presence for our members," Ms Johnson said.
"They will also serve as a key link between members and the wider organisation, connecting farmers with expert advice, programs, services and opportunities available through NSW Farmers. This supports our focus on empowering farmers to have their say, share their stories and become more connected to the decision makers and policies that impact on them.
"The success of NSW Farmers has always been built on the strength of its members and branches across our regions, and these roles will help us continue to foster those relationships and support our branch network to deliver a stronger farming future."
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Regional Manager Bios
Jason Thomas - Jason has studied and worked in the wine and agribusiness sector for over 30 years, from farm input, vineyard development & management, through to sales and management roles with wine companies, suppliers, packaging manufacturers, and corporate businesses. He is based in the Hunter Valley and will be looking after the North Eastern regions, from Sydney to the NSW border.
Melinda Swift - Mel is an accomplished agricultural professional with over 25 years' experience across sustainable agricultural production, work health and safety, environmental management, quality assurance, stakeholder engagement and regional leadership. Mel is based at Trangie in the Central West where she is part of a family farming operation.
Greg Welsh - Greg joins NSW Farmers following his recent role managing the Bowral Co-op. He lives in the Southern Highlands and spent his early years on a cattle property in Glendon Brook. Greg has a 30 year track record running high growth companies and is currently Chair of Business Southern Highlands and a Deputy Chair of GROW Southern Highlands.
Cate Povey - With over 20 years' experience, Cate is recognised for her expertise in stakeholder engagement and her ability to drive results through active participation. She is known for building trusted relationships across community, business, and government, and for translating those relationships into practical outcomes in complex environments. Cate is based at Borambola, near Wagga in the Riverina.
