Three new directors have been appointed to the Grains Australia Board, strengthening the organisation’s combination of grains expertise, corporate capability, and strong connections with growers.
Joining the Board in April 2026 are grain grower John Woods (NSW), leading governance specialist Rob DiMonte (SA), and farmer Sally Morgan (NSW). Woods has also been appointed as the new Chair of Grains Australia.
Outgoing Chair Andrew Young (WA) and Rebecca Reardon (NSW), who have been with Grains Australia since its inception in late 2020, have stepped down from the Board.
“It has been a privilege to contribute to the establishment of Grains Australia alongside such highly capable directors and staff,” said Mr Young. “I welcome John, Rob and Sally to the Board and wish them every success in their roles. I am very confident that Grains Australia is well placed to move forward with a clear focus on delivering even greater value on behalf of growers and industry.”
New chair brings strong farming Connections
John Woods is a grain grower based near Goondiwindi on the Queensland–New South Wales border, with extensive experience in broadacre cropping and agribusiness. He currently serves as Chairman of Lawson Grains, one of Australia’s leading corporate grain producers, and previously served as Chair of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), where he played a key role in guiding national investment in grains research, development and extension.
Grains Australia CEO Richard Simonaitis thanked Mr Young and Mrs Reardon for their strategic guidance during the organisation’s formative years.
“Andrew and Rebecca have both played key roles in positioning Grains Australia as the leading body delivering vital functions for the grains industry,” he said. “We are very pleased to welcome John Woods as the new Grains Australia Chair. John has very strong farming connections and a deep understanding of our industry.”
New Directors’ Backgrounds
Rob DiMonte (SA) brings 45 years of experience in accounting, management consulting, and non-executive directorships, including as Partner and Managing Partner of Deloitte. He is a past non-executive director and Chair of Australian Grain Technologies and currently chairs Junction Australia and PIRSA’s Risk and Performance Committee.
Sally Morgan (NSW) is a non-executive director and owner-manager of a farming enterprise in Trangie, New South Wales, with over 25 years’ experience across cotton and grain production. Her career spans research, development and extension, policy, biosecurity, and sustainability, including senior roles with Cotton Australia and CottonInfo.
Grains Australia delivers key functions critical to the success of the Australian grains industry, including trade and market access, classification, market insights, market education, and technical market solutions. The organisation is an initiative of the GRDC.
