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Grain industry leader to give Robb College Rural Focus Lecture

August 18, 2006

Tom KeeneThe Managing Director of GrainCorp, Tom Keene, will be keynote speaker at the Annual Robb College Rural Focus Dinner and Lecture at The University of New England on Tuesday 12 September. His topical subject, "The changing grain industry", will provide insights into modern agriculture and grain markets.

Mr Keene (pictured here), a UNE graduate, was raised in country NSW and lived at Robb College while he completed his Bachelor of Economics degree. He has enjoyed an extensive career in agriculture and agribusiness – at the forefront of a changing grain industry – since the 1980s.

In 1983 Mr Keene was appointed General Manager of the Prime Wheat Association, and was responsible for the merger of the Hard and Soft Wheat Growers Associations and the subsequent acquisition of GrainCorp Limited from the NSW Government in 1992.

Since then, he has led the organisation through an extensive program of change, including listing on the ASX in 1998 and the merger with VicGrain in 2000. As managing director of GrainCorp, he is responsible for an agri-food business employing more than 1,000 full-time staff, and supervises bulk handling logistics, grain trading, farm inputs, and other activities throughout NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the lecture at Robb College, which is scheduled for 8 pm, but should book through the College office on (02) 6773 1700.

The Master of Robb College, Mr Michael Maas, said it was always a pleasure to welcome back one of the College’s past students – particularly as a guest speaker, like Tom Keene. “There is a real sense of giving back to the College for the time they had and the experiences they enjoyed while living here,” Mr Maas said. "We are very proud of our Robb College alumni. Our current students, our guests, and the public will certainly be inspired by Tom's achievements."

Mr. Keene has described UNE’s reputation as “second to none” for producing graduates who are well prepared for the agribusiness world. “It is a great honour to be invited to give this lecture,” he said. “Being a Robb College alumnus provides me with an invaluable network of contacts that links agricultural sectors around Australia and overseas.”

Posted by Jim Scanlan at August 18, 2006 11:44 AM