Richard Cowley, Founder and Manager: Born in Cunnamulla, South West Queensland, Richard grew up on his family's sheep and cattle properties in the district.  

Completing grade 12 at Toowoomba Grammar School, he then headed to the Northern Territory, working on Alexandria Station as a Jackaroo, then Soudan Outstation as Head Stockman.

A father of two daughters, in 1995 Richard went to work as the NSW and Southern Queensland Field Officer with the Cattlemen's Union of Australia. He consulted briefly to the Australian Beef Association before attending the University of Southern Queensland in 2000. Graduating with concurrent degrees, a Masters of Business Administration (Marketing) and Bachelor of Arts Degree (International Relations and Journalism) in 2004, Richard moved to Brisbane to be closer to his daughters.

Recognising the skills shortage in rural and regional Australia, and the enormous volume of students who want to do work experience in support of their studies, Richard and his partner developed the concept of linking the two together - going public with the Brolga Project in 2008.

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Mobile 0412 189 787

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D. Lorena Ocrospoma Ramirez, Strategic Development and Finance Officer: Lorena's career has spanned working with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture through economic and finance consulting to training women to act as leaders for their community.

Originally from Peru, Lorena has represented her country in international rural and agricultural forums in the USA and Brazil, and has recently graduated from the University of Queensland with a Masters in Planning for Social Development.

Lorena's life experiences and study underpin her passionate belief of the value of agriculture and regional communities to the global economy.

Lorena was working part time in the Brisbane office but moved to Sydney in September and has been a driving force from Sydney since then, meeting with sponsors and developing the project under the title of Strategic Development Manager from her home office.

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Mobile 0422 677 181

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