INDUSTRY & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
We see a strong industry and local community being vital to our business, clients, employees and family
Andrew
Andrew has and continues to be very involved in multiple community and industry roles. Some of his activities include:
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Chair of Kangaroo Island Landscapes (formally NRM) Board (2019 - Present)
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Former President of the Australian White Suffolk Association
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President of KI Football League (seasons 2014 to 2019)
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Kangaroo Island Fire Recovery Committee 2020 (Landscapes Representative)
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Former Chair of Agriculture Kangaroo Island
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Former Chair of SuperWhites genetics group
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2007 Nuffield Scholar (subject: Objective measurement in the prime lamb industry)
Photo: Andrew with Belgium Blue cattle carcasses in Europe during his Nuffield Scholarship, showing what extreme genetic selection can result in.
Jamie
Jamie is also very involved in multiple industry roles. Some of his activities include:
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Sheep Producers Australia Board (2017 to present)
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Current Chair of Agriculture Kangaroo Island (on the board since 2016)
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Sheep Sustainability Framework Board (2019 to present)
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Meat and Livestock Australia Board Selection Committee (2019 to present)
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28 National Board - Lambex Parent Company (2022 to present)
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Kangaroo Island Fire Recovery Committee 2020 (Agriculture Representative)
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Livestock SA Board (2016 to 2020)
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He was a 2017 Nuffield Scholar, studying 'attracting and retaining young people in the sheep industry' which took him to 17 countries over 20 weeks.
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In late 2014 Jamie was selected as the Youth Ambassador for the Sheep Meat Council of Australia, and since then attended 5 American Sheep Industry conferences, plus Washington DC representing Australia sheep farmers.
The photo to the left is of Jamie at the US Department of Agriculture in Washington DC.
Tracie
Tracie has continuously been involved in the local community, especially with sport and dance. This includes:
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Working as a FaB (Farm and Business Advisor) since early 2020 for PIRSA, individually supporting local farmers that have been affected by the fires and other challanges.
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Rock Eisteddfod teacher/coach for many years. Still the reigning state champions (as the competition sadly ended).
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Calisthenics teacher and mentor for over 3 decades. (Life Member)
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Former player, coach and umpire at the Parndana Netball club. (Life Member.)
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Former Landcare coordinator
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General amazing support for our whole team and family! Keeps us all sane.
Tracie and Andrew were also winners of the 2010 Virbac Proud Achievers Award. This gave them the opportunity to do a study tour/holiday in the USA. Focusing on 'worm resistance in sheep', 'livestock health practices' & 'genetics', paved the way to gaining new friendships, contacts, knowledge, appreciation, and motivation to move forward in our industry. Andrew and Tracie would like to thank Virbac for this opportunity.
Photo on right is of Tracie Heinrich and Bev Turner after Kangaroo Island took out 1st place in the state for the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge.
Sheep Expo & Other Sponsorship
Ella Matta Pastoral along with Ag KI sponsor the full cost of travel and enrolment for two Kangaroo Island students to attend the SA Sheep Expo each year in Adelaide. Kangaroo Island Community Education - KICE through a selection process awarded the 2019 scholarships to Eliza Havelberg and Nick Mumford. Congratulations guys, we hope you had a great few days! We are looking to continue this every year, so to any KI high school students interested in a future involving sheep, keep an eye out. Well done to the SA Sheep Expo team for putting together another awesome event for more than 140 young Sheepies!
Ella Matta also sponsors multiple local Kangaroo Island sports clubs, including the calisthenics club.