Jeffrey Winspear – Principal and Senior Grain Broker

The need for a full brokering service to farmers in WA in the lead up to deregulation of the export grain industry was the reason behind Jeff starting Grain Brokers Australia. Jeff founded Grain Brokers Australia (formerly Grainassist Perth) in WA in September 2007, after working for AWB in the eastern wheatbelt. Originally from a family farm in Gnowangerup, Jeff moved to Victoria to study at Marcus Oldham College in Geelong, before returning home to work in the grain industry in WA.

David Hanrahan – General Manager

David has worked in agribusiness in Australia for more than 25 years. His professional experience includes banking, grain trading (international and domestic), marketing, business development and senior management. Past employers include Australian Barley Board (ABB), Grainco (Marketlink), Peter Cremer Australia and Mars Australia. David has a deep understanding of domestic and international grain markets and supply chains as well as a grassroots grasp of the needs and priorities of growers. He has excellent relationships across all sectors of the agribusiness industry. David joined Grain Brokers Australia in March 2017 and is committed to the success of the business in this new phase of development.

Matt Tolmachoff – Head of Brokerage

Matthew has 27 years of Agribusiness experience with an emphasis on trading, export sales, marketing, accumulation and warehouse logistics. He completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Science at UQ Gatton, having specialized in International Marketing with a further Diploma in Export Management.

His professional experience with companies such as Dunavant Enterprises, Lempriere , Australian Growers Cooperative and Elders, in cotton, wool and grain has led to a strong understanding of sales and distribution having managed warehouse shipping terminals and trading businesses, selling commodities to diverse interests such as cotton spinners, flour and feed mills, dairy and meat exporters and accumulating commodities direct from growers.

Matthews family have owned and managed cotton, grain and lucerne irrigation properties in multiple sites across NSW, QLD and SA, and he has a deep connection with understanding growers needs and a love of the land.

Having built many key business relationships with domestic end use customers and export counter parties, and the management of trade activities, including sales and execution of Pool, Cash Index Programs and Cash trading activities he hopes to strengthen ties through conveying detailed market information and insight into market structures to our grower clientele benefit.

Sarah Woolford – Grain Services & Corporate Broker

Sarah started in the grain industry in 2012, and prior held roles within the finance industry. She has gained a wealth of experience and knowledge over the last 6 years working for CBH in the Marketing and Trading arm, with experience gained in Trading and Accumulations. Her roles have consisted of Trading Compliance Advisor and Product Co-ordinator, working closely with growers to return value. Sarah joined Grain Brokers Australia in October 2017 with the goal of engaging growers and identifying opportunities to return value to their enterprises through innovative and agile products. When Sarah’s not at work she enjoys spending time with her three children and returning to York to enjoy the farm.

Chad Jefferis – Senior Grain Broker, Albany, WA

Chad joined Grain Brokers in May 2015 with a wealth of experience in the agricultural industry. Chad was born and raised in the Great Southern, from the Dumbleyung Wagin area, where he lived and worked on the family farm. Chad has spent the past 3 years working with Emerald Grain as a grain merchant looking after growers in the Albany & Esperance zones, where he has developed a passion and extensive knowledge of the grain sector.  Away from work, Chad enjoys spending his time raising a young family, and then if the sun is out, fishing and sport are on the list of things to do too.

Peter Ainsworth – Senior Grain Broker, Eastern Australia

Starting in the Australian grain industry in 2002, Peter has worked across the grain supply chain in a number of Trading and Marketing functions working for companies that include; AWB, CBH and Marubeni. He has also worked for a number of years in a consulting capacity providing marketing insight and services to companies including Profarmer Australia and Ikon Commodities. Most recently Peter provided brokerage and advisory services to growers in the Southern Tablelands region of NSW. Peter joined Grain Brokers Australia in May 2017 with the goal of bringing the service of the company to Victorian growers.

Peter Brennan– Grain Broker Geraldton & Kwinana, WA

Peter grew up on his family farm in Wongan Hills, developing a love and passion for agriculture in Western Australia. After completing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Bachelor of Commerce at UWA, Peter went back to work on the family farm to further develop his skills in the industry. He then spent some time working in Perth and Geraldton gaining experience in the banking sector working for NAB Agribusiness. Peter has been with us at Grain Brokers Australia since November 2017 and is looking forward to dealing with growers across Western Australia.

Alisha Chinner – Grain Broker, South Australia

Alisha originates from a sheep and cereal property at Tailem Bend, SA. After many years in sales Alisha moved her focus to grain marketing in 2011 where she managed warehoused and ex farm grain in both the Mallee & Wimmera of Victoria and all of SA. Alisha lives in Lameroo SA with her husband. She enjoys the country life style and relaxed atmosphere that you find when living in a country community. Alisha is passionate about the grain industry and strives to get the very best price for her growers.

Kirsten Ross – Operation Coordinator

Kirsten joined the team at Grain Brokers Australia in November, 2013. Kirsten grew up on the family farm at Jerramungup and moved to Perth to complete her secondary education. She has previously worked as a Sampler at CBH for 3 years during the harvesting period. Kirsten comes to us at Grain Brokers Australia with a broad knowledge of all aspects of grain growing, livestock management and office experience which she has gained during previous employment. When not at work, Kirsten enjoys catching up with friends and family and getting to the beach.

Justin Edmonds – Management Accountant

Justin is an accomplished finance professional, with more than 9 years experience in accounting, primarily across the oil & gas and iron ore industries. He was most recently Senior Project Accountant at Cal Dive International (now Shelf Subsea). Having grown up on the family farm at Jerramungup, and having studied Agribusiness at Curtin University’s Muresk campus, Justin has an acute understanding of the cost-price squeeze facing farmers and the need to achieve maximum price for their grain. Justin joined Grain Brokers Australia in November 2017 and is responsible for all financial activities of the business.

Celia Young – Digital Marketing Manager

Celia has over 14 years’ experience in marketing, six of these working in media. She has spent the last three years at Seven West Media honing her digital marketing skills and loves keeping up-to-date with the changing media landscape and marketing trends. Celia joined Grain Brokers Australia in August 2017 and will be assisting the team in improving digital communications to members.

Kristina Norcic – Pricing Administration Assistant

Kristina joined our Albury office in October 2017.  She brings to the team numerous years of diverse administrative experience having commenced her career in Sydney during the early 1990s where she also completed her Diploma in Management in 1998.   She has spent the past four years in the legal field as Secretarial Assistant and six years as Account Receivables Clerk with Fairfax Regional Media in Orange, New South Wales.  Kristina is looking forward to expanding the Grain Brokers Australia services to the east coast of Australia.