The opportunity of regional research and innovation in water and agriculture systems

Watch the video Water Security Series: The opportunity of regional research and innovation in water and agriculture systems held on Wednesday 21 October 2020.

View the video of the panel discussion.

2020 has seen collaboration and innovation like no other year in recent times. Industry and researchers are coming together with the goal of solving problems through fit for purpose outcomes.

But this type of collaboration isn’t new, especially in regions. The panel will discuss regional place-based innovation, with a particular focus on the Mallee in Victoria. The Mallee Regional Innovation Centre will feature as an example that is bringing together side by side, physically and now virtually, industry, business and researchers with common interests, to develop place-based projects that will add value and create impact in the region. Together they innovate and create better projects because they are shaped by those on the ground.

The Mallee Regional Innovation Centre is a joint venture between the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and SuniTafe. The Centre four focal areas are water, horticulture, energy and the environment.

Panelists

Professor Ruth Nettle

Leader, Rural Innovation Research Group, School of Agriculture and Food, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne

Dr Nettle leads the Rural Innovation Research Group at the University of Melbourne. A social scientist working in rural innovation systems, Professor Nettle has led a career in agricultural extension, engaged-research and agricultural education. Her research interests are in understanding and improving rural innovation processes with a concern for the significant issues of rural Australia and farming systems including climate change adaptation, the farm workforce and technological disruption.

Robert Ross

Senior Lecturer, Engineering, La Trobe University

Robert's research is related to robotics, sensors and mechatronics. His PhD involved autonomous imaging of car undercarriages using a catadioptric imaging system mounted on a mobile robot platform. He has also been researching in novel optical flow algorithms used in robot localisation along with mobile robot drain inspection techniques, agricultural robotic applications and applications of machine vision. Additionally Robert has been involved in the development of low-power embedded systems and sensory packages used for environmental and application specific monitoring.

Anne Mansell

Chief Executive Officer, Dried Fruits Australia

Anne is the Chief Executive Officer for Dried Fruits Australia and works with the dried grape industry on research & development issues along with marketing and promotion. Anne has over 30 years’ experience in the horticulture sector as a partner in a family owned citrus property, and served as a Board Director and President of Sunraysia Citrus Growers. She was the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Mildura Development Corporation for five years overseeing a number of exciting projects such as Olam’s $50million investment into an almond processing plant and the business case for the $120 million Sunraysia Modernisation Project.

Davi La Ferla

Chief Executive Officer, Sensand Technologies

Davi La Ferla is a technology company executive and business development director who has over 20 years’ experience leading and developing rapid-growth enterprises and high-impact consortia. Davi co-founded Sensand Technologies in 2016, and as the company’s CEO he is working with his colleagues to drive agricultural and environmental outcomes by solving the technology integration and data management issues that are stifling agtech adoption. Davi was appointed Enterprise Fellow (Smart Agriculture) by the University of Melbourne in 2019 and he recently assumed the role of Technology Integration Lead for the ONE Basin CRC Bid.

Rebecca Wells (Chair)

Chief Executive, Mallee Regional Innovation Centre

As Chief Executive of the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre, Rebecca Wells leads the Centre which operates within the Mildura Rural City Council and Swan Hill Rural City Council regions. Born in the region and raised in Merbein on a vineyard, Rebecca left the district to purse study and career opportunities. Upon returning from overseas she spent time in Melbourne before returning to the Mallee. She has immersed herself in professional and community networks in the region, holding a range of leadership and advocacy roles. Ms Wells has significant experience in working with regional communities in the agriculture, communications and tertiary education space.

  • Video of Water Security Event