The RAS Foundation Board

Robyn is a farmer, orchardist, land-carer, and non-executive company director. She has lived in the bush and the city, having been born and raised on a property near Cooma, worked in financial services in Sydney and overseas, then returned to the country to settle near Araluen.  

Robyn was the first woman elected to the Council of the RAS, in 1993, and her involvement has not stopped since. Robyn holds a Bachelor of Economics, is a qualified Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of the Financial Securities Institute of Australia and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is an experienced non-executive director in the agribusiness, energy and government sectors. 

Currently a director of Australia Post and Elders Ltd, Chair of the Australian Wool Exchange, and Chair of ProTen Limited, she was Treasurer of the RAS Foundation for 9 years in her capacity as Treasurer of the RAS of NSW.

As a RASF Board Member Robyn has attracted donations for the RASF and worked tirelessly to promote the value of scholarship and grant recipients, and it is a pleasure to introduce her as our new Chair as we prepare to navigate our way through some fairly uncertain post-pandemic times.

John was elected to President of the RAS in June 2023. John Bennett is Managing Director of MJ & EA Bennett P/L, a family company with interests in Agriculture, specifically commercial beef and thoroughbred bloodstock operations, as well as the Hospitality industry and commercial property. John and his family operate a 550 seat Function and Conference Centre located on their farm at Worrigee near Nowra. 

John became involved with his local Nowra show society in 2001, where he served as President between 2005 and 2010. Since 2010 he has been their Ringmaster and Chief Steward of Attractions. In 2004, John attended the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth’s (RASC) conference held in Albury, NSW, and went on to be appointed as the RASC’s Next Generation facilitator in 2007. John became an elected Trustee of the RASC in 2015, a position he continues to hold. Also in 2004, John was invited to be a member of the inaugural RAS Youth Group and was elected to RAS Council in 2010. He was Assistant Ringmaster between 2011 and 2015, and Ringmaster from 2015—2021. John has also served two terms as a member of the RAS Board and was most recently Vice President and Chair of the Horse Committee. 

Since being elected to Council in 2010, Sam has served on the Veterinary Committee, Domestic Animals Committee, Audit Committee, Board and the Wine and Beer Committee. This has provided Sam with a wide perspective of the activities and requirements of the RAS.

Sam has a significant career in corporate finance, which includes the founding of Arcadia Capital in 2019, a private equity firm directly investing in Australian companies to help them grow and provide opportunities for Australian industry and workers. Prior to establishing Arcadia Capital, Sam worked for some of the largest and most respected international financial institutions in the world, including Ernst & Young, Goldman Sachs, The Carlyle Group and Macquarie Bank. This wealth of experiences enables Sam to provide professional and diligent service as Treasurer of the RAS.

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.

He has a particular interest in gender equality in agriculture and seeing recognition for the significant contribution made by women.

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.