About Us

Supporting Farmers with Local Solutions

As a grower-owned organisation founded in 2013, Tablelands Farming Systems has quickly established itself as a credible provider of localised farming information and delivers training and workshops to improve the way farms operate. We are focused on supporting farmers of all size and shape and we work closely with government agencies, agribusiness and local agricultural service providers to offer the latest industry information direct to our members.

Core to the organisation’s mandate is that our members directly influence the type of projects we run and these respond to specific challenges in our region and/or enhance our members’ overall farm business and land management.

Since commencement TFS has run a large number of successful initiatives that have directly benefited our members’ bottom line, including Soil Club which focuses on fertiliser efficiency, worm egg count testing, regular Field Days and the Farming Forecaster tool, a seasonal forecasting tool specific to our region.

The farming systems model is proving to be hugely successful right around Australia; particularly because of the role the groups play in directly addressing farmers’ needs in a timely and practical way. Our overall success is inextricably linked to the level of engagement of the Tableland Farming Systems Board and members to shape the types of research, development and extension activities that are undertaken.

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Our Team

Alex Wheelwright

Chair

Alex is a 6th generation farmer, running a super fine wool operation over a couple of properties. Alex has also worked on properties in both Ireland and the UK.

He is passionate about the future and sustainability of agriculture and believes that TFS is a great way to gain information on all aspects of agriculture in order to move forward.

John Klem

Vice Chair, B.A.(Ed), HDA

John has 50 years’ experience in the Agricultural Industry and a Diploma of Agriculture from Hawkesbury Agricultural College and a Bachelor of Arts – Adult Education. He and his wife Kathryn currently farm at Bannister near Crookwell producing vealers and fat lambs. John was head teacher of Rural Studies at Goulburn TAFE for 15 years and has been involved in a number of agricultural extension groups and Landcare.

John has been chair of the State Catchment Committee, a Board Member of the Sydney Catchment Authority, a Member of the Natural Resources Advisory Committee, a NSW Representative on the Australian Landcare Council and chair of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority. John has formal training in Corporate Governance and has completed the Company Director’s course. John has a keen interest in supporting and encouraging the next generation of young farmers and believes the TFS group will be a major contributor to this cause.

Mikayla Keith

Treasurer

Mikayla Keith is a dedicated and passionate accountant with Boyce Pty Limited, situated within their Goulburn team. Growing up on a sheep and cattle property in Taralga, NSW, Mikayla demonstrates a strong understanding of agribusiness, complemented by her extensive expertise in finance, governance, and risk management.

Her commitment to regional communities is evident through her leadership roles with Australian Women in Agriculture, Women in Cotton, Taralga Show Society, and Taralga Rodeo.

Mikayla’s passion for regional communities and strong professional acumen has positioned her as a trusted advisor and advocate for the agribusiness sector in Goulburn and surrounding regions.

Felicity Wheelwright

Director

Felicity is the 4th generation to manage her family’s fine wool sheep and cattle grazing operation at Roslyn. Felicity holds a Bachelor of Business Agricultural Commerce (USYD) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance (FINSIA). She is a Certified Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma (process improvement methodology) from University Of Technology Sydney. Felicity has utilised these skills in her 16-year banking career at Rabobank where she is currently the Head of Middle Office, working from Roslyn.

Felicity believes that the diversity of scale, geography, ecology, and background of TFS members and the farming systems that they operate, enables TFS to be a valuable knowledge-sharing forum for all its members.

Lucy Neverman

Director

Lucy Neverman is a Rabobank Rural Officer based in Goulburn, having relocated from New Zealand in January 2025. She studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) at Lincoln University in New Zealand. With a background in sheep and beef farming, Lucy brings practical experience and a deep understanding of rural life to her role, supporting farmers across the region systems and is passionate about strengthening rural communities.

Lucy is excited to be serving on the board of Tablelands Farming Systems, where she looks forward to contributing to the growth and sustainability of agriculture in the region, especially through initiatives that support and encourage the next generation of farmers.

Richard Hayes

Director

Richard Hayes is a Research Agronomist with the NSW Department of Primary Industries with over 20 years experience in applied research specialising in pasture agronomy, soil acidity and perennial grains. He grew up on the family farm at Middle Arm, north of Goulburn, before studying Agriculture at Charles Sturt University at Wagga Wagga, graduating with Honours, and later, a Masters in soil water dynamics. He completed a PhD at the University of Tasmania looking at managing pasture competition by altering drill row configuration at sowing. Richard has led many research projects on topics including soil carbon, soil acidity, pasture evaluation and perennial grains.

The Hayes Brothers continue to run the family farm at Middle Arm, where they predominantly run a self-replacing merino flock. They continue an ambitious pasture improvement program to underpin production, and are trialling a range of strategies to improve lambing rates and lamb survival.

Camilla Beck

Executive Officer

Camilla lives on a small property in Goulburn with her young family. Together with her husband, they lease land around Goulburn and own a farm at Laggan.

Prior to joining TFS, Camilla worked at Regional Development Australia Southern Inland for 4 years, as the Project and Communications Officer. In this role, Camilla worked closely with local community members and industry to help drive growth and development in the region. Camilla holds a Bachelor of Business with a Masters in Communication Management. Camilla also currently runs the Goulburn Young Farmers Network, established to bring local young farmers together and share knowledge.

Ruth Aveyard

Project Officer

Ruth spent almost 10 years working with farmers as a Landcare Coordinator with Upper Lachlan Landcare. She has experience in event design, organising and hosting, as well as a good understanding of the administrative processes and procedures required by not for profit, community organisations. Prior to this, Ruth worked for CSIRO for 15 years, undertaking trails, supporting research and engaging with community members on the biological control and management of weeds.

Ruth lives in Goulburn, with her family, and has a small property on the outskirts of Goulburn.

Contact us

Lets work together to innovate agriculture for a more sustainable future

Fill in the form or call Camilla Beck or Ruth Aveyard for more information.

0437 778 638
PO Box 791 Goulburn, NSW 2580