The RAS Foundation Board

Michael Millner is the principal of a family farming partnership which conducts the Rosedale Charolais Stud, one of Australia's foundation Charolais Studs. The partnership also produces commercial cattle, grain, hay and summer crops on their properties in the Blayney and Dubbo regions. Michael is a Councillor of the RAS of NSW and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

David Davidson, a fifth-generation farmer with the family farm dating back to the early 1850s, was elected to the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS) Council in 2012. His family farm ‘Yarran’, west of Young, NSW, currently produces wheat and canola, beef cattle, prime lamb and merino wool.

David has a passion for agricultural production, particularly grains and wools, as well as the sustainability of farming and its impact on the environment. He is determined to bridge the divide between country and city with continual promotion of Australian agriculture.

David has been associated with his local Show society in Young for many years as well as with NSW Farmers’ Association at a grassroots level in his district.

Jocellin is a seasoned Board Member and Statutory/Executive Director with a strong background in fundraising, philanthropy, and program delivery.

Her ties to regional communities have seen her build an impressive network of government, industry, education, and community contacts, as well as a deep understanding of the issues and needs of regional Australia. 

Jocellin was involved with the establishment of the successful Ag Bag initiative and the Community Kitchen program during her time as Executive Officer of the RASF.

A cabinet maker and teacher by trade, Bruce is a firm advocate for rural families and a driving force for higher education opportunities for rural students.

His involvement with the Isolated Children's Parents' Association and his years as Rural Liaison Officer with one of Sydney's most prestigious boarding schools, have Bruce perfectly placed to work closely with the Rural Scholarship program and communication plans for regional communities.

As a Research Professor of Agriculture at Charles Sturt University, Jim has held an academic position at Wagga Wagga campus since 1972.

Jim was Foundation Dean of Science and Agriculture from 1990 until 2006 when he was accorded Emeritus Professor of the University. He completed a Ministerial Review into Agricultural Education and Training in NSW (2012-2013) and is a former President of the Australian Society of Agronomy.

In 2007, Jim embarked on a crusade to address the parlous state of agricultural education in Australia. His research and promotion resulted in a substantial improvement: industry re-imaging, career paths constructed, increase graduate remuneration and general community respectability resulting in being commissioned to undertake a Ministerial Review into Agricultural Education and Training in NSW, 2012-13. He was awarded the Cameron Archer Medal (2019) for outstanding service to agricultural education.

Jim was awarded a Fellow of the Australian Society of Agronomy (2017) and became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2019 for services to agricultural education, research and advisory.

Janie Forrest was elected to the RAS Council in 2010 and over the years has contributed to many committees including Pig & Alpaca, Youth Affairs and Horse, along with the Youth in Ag Day Support Group and the Entertainment Support Group.

Ms Forrest brings a wealth of knowledge gained as an innovative livestock and fleece producer and active supporter of indigenous youth.

Ms Forrest’s formative years were spent on the family’s sheep and cattle station bordering on the Pilbara Desert region of Western Australia’s north-west. Following her final year of secondary school, the world opened when she was selected for a Rotary Exchange to Dakota, USA. Ms Forrest then moved to Europe where she studied languages and, as a competent rider, worked show jumpers in Switzerland before commencing and training in hospitality - eventually working with Sheraton Hotels Worldwide and later with boutique hotel groups as a marketing consultant in Sydney.  

With the lure to return to the land, she established Coolaroo (now Coolawarra) with her family. It was one of the first alpaca studs in Australia. Now it’s one of the oldest in the country, known widely for breeding success in national and international show rings. To fast track the breeding program, Ms Forrest spent a year in Peru’s Altiplano conducting field research within the Peruvian alpaca population from which the species originates. The results, which she has presented in many countries, are the basis of work published with Dr Jim Watts ex CSIRO and founder of the SRS® breeding system, benchmarking follicle density and other fleece traits in the world’s alpaca herd. Coolawarra was one of two studs that were first to commercially harness embryo transfer techniques successfully in the breed.

Janie is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 

Jason Strong has been a prominent figure in Australia's red meat industry, serving as the Managing Director of Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) from 2019 until the end of 2023. Throughout his tenure, Strong has been instrumental in navigating the industry through challenging times, including a severe drought, the global pandemic, and volatile livestock prices.

His career in agriculture began early, with a deep passion for cattle, which shaped his path. A key moment in his career was winning the National Angus Breed Judging Competition, which earned him a scholarship to the USA, where he taught livestock judging at the University of Illinois. This experience broadened his perspective and sharpened his skills in livestock evaluation and decision-making.

During his leadership at MLA, Strong was known for promoting a "fewer, bigger, bolder" approach to research and development, aiming to double the value of Australia's red meat sales by 2030. He also championed the industry's commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, a major goal set by his predecessor that Strong actively pursued. His hands-on approach to leadership and regular engagement with regional stakeholders was widely respected across the industry. 

Jason is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and currently  a Meat and Livestock Industry Consultant.