Phil, his wife Amber and their 3 teenage sons live and work on the 13000 Hectare property ‘Oakbank’ on the lower end of the Anabranch. The family run operation is predominantly Dorpers but can include cattle and Merino’s when seasons permit.

“The property has been in the family for five generations, my neighbour is my brother and we have various in-laws and outlaws further along the creek, so we are definitely local to the area”

Phil makes a return to full-time farming in 2022 after a number of years in public service. Over the years he has worked across a range of areas including native vegetation management, rangeland incentives, and biosecurity, and of course, the family farm.

“I’ve had a few stints with government work through Local Land Services, Catchment Management Authority, and the Rangeland Management Action Plan. It help offset the farm income and keeps the show on the road, but when there’s a bit of feed around, and the stock numbers are up I commit myself full-time to the property.”

Phil has been on the Anabranch Board for 3 years and takes a keen interest in the Lower Anabranch Farm Innovation Group. Phil has most recently worked as the Regional Pest Animal Coordinator and is an advocate for continued attention to pest animal control including wild dog baiting amongst other things.

“I suppose, as far as Anabranch Water goes, I have an interest in water and environmental management, but another key thing I bring to the table is knowledge of government and what it takes to get things done within those systems.”