Speakers

John Bennett OAM operates family interests in agriculture, including commercial beef production and thoroughbred bloodstock. He and his family are also involved in the hospitality industry, commercial property, and land development.

John’s longstanding commitment to agricultural show societies began in 2001 with the Nowra Show Society. He served as President from 2005 to 2010 and, since 2010, has continued his involvement as Ringmaster and Chief Steward of Attractions.

In 2004, John attended the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth (RASC) Conference in Albury, NSW. He was appointed the RASC’s Next Generation Facilitator in 2007 and went on to serve as co-opted Trustee and then as an elected Trustee from 2015 to 2024. In recognition of his contribution, he was appointed an Honorary Fellow of the RASC in 2024. In 2006, John led the RASC’s first Understanding and Assistance Mission—an initiative that continues to support agricultural show societies internationally.

Also in 2004, John became a member of the inaugural Youth Group of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS). He was elected to RAS Council in 2010 as a member of the Horse Committee. John served as Assistant Ringmaster from 2011 to 2015 and as Ringmaster from 2015 to 2021. He has also completed two terms on the RAS Board and has held the roles of Vice President and Chair of the Horse Committee.

In 2023, John was elected President of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. In this role, he is guiding the organisation through its next chapter— continuing its mission to promote Australian agriculture through the Sydney Royal Easter Show and through all the competitions that the RAS conducts, strengthening its leadership in agricultural education, expanding its award-winning event venue business, Sydney Showground and supporting regional and rural communities through the RAS Foundation.

John was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to agricultural and show societies.

Tanya represents the next generation of agricultural leadership, blending deep farming roots with strong professional expertise. She grew up on Robhoek in the Tsitsikamma, where farm life shaped her values and remains central to her identity. After school, Tanya pursued a combined degree in law and accounting at the University of Stellenbosch and began her legal career in Cape Town at ENS, the largest law firm in Africa, in 2010. She specialised as a Corporate Commercial attorney in a demanding, high-performance environment before joining Dommisse Attorneys, where she ultimately became a director.

Despite a successful legal career, Tanya and her husband felt drawn back to a rural lifestyle. In 2016, she returned to the Tsitsikamma with a long-term vision of taking over Robhoek from her father, Nigel. Initially balancing farm responsibilities with part-time legal work, Tanya made the decisive shift to full-time farming following the birth of her first son.

In 2021, she formally assumed a senior operational role at Robhoek and has since farmed alongside Nigel, contributing to strategic decision-making and day-to-day management. Today, Tanya lives nearby with her husband and two children, building a life that reflects continuity, adaptability, and the future of family farming—making her a compelling voice at the Commonwealth Agricultural Conference 2026.

Nigel is a first-generation dairy farmer whose career spans more than four decades of leadership, innovation, and service to the dairy industry. His journey began in the Tsitsikamma in 1982 as a farm manager at Robhoek, where he was mentored by the late Tobie Meyer. Through this mentorship, Nigel was given the opportunity to acquire dairy cattle and build a solid capital base, culminating in the purchase of a portion of Robhoek on Tobie’s retirement in 1997.

Over the past 30 years, Nigel has earned a reputation as a progressive and forward-thinking farmer. He consistently embraces new technologies, builds strong relationships with suppliers, and actively trials innovations that enhance productivity and sustainability.

Nigel’s impact extends well beyond his own farm. He served for 15 years on the Woodlands Dairy MPO, held senior leadership roles on the national MPO, contributed to the Large Herds Conference board, and served on the Milk South Africa board. He currently sits on its Research and Development and Enterprise Development Committees.

Most recently, Nigel led the Humansdorp Co-op through a complex merger with SSK, securing a stronger, more resilient future for Eastern Cape agriculture. His career reflects collaborative leadership, innovation, and farmer-led growth.